Detroit (DTW) to Newark (EWR): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Detroit (DTW) to Newark (EWR) has an unusually high scrub rate — 4.1% of scheduled departures never left the gate, a cancellation rate several times the national figure. When flights do go, 75% land on time, below the national average of 78%. United Airlines has been the safer pick, arriving on time 87% of the time.
- On-time
- 75%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 22 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 4.1%
- Flights/day
- 10
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 47m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 488 mi
Best airline from DTW to EWR
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 87% | 14 min | 1.2% | 346 |
| Republic Airways | 79% | 17 min | 5.4% | 2,595 |
| Delta Air Lines | 72% | 25 min | 2.6% | 3,310 |
| Spirit Airlines | 70% | 26 min | 6.9% | 801 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to EWR
Aim for departures around 12 p.m. (91% on-time); avoid 5 p.m. departures (51%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 76% | 21 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 79% | 16 min |
| Wednesday | 79% | 18 min |
| Thursday | 73% | 25 min |
| Friday | 74% | 25 min |
| Saturday | 76% | 22 min |
| Sunday | 70% | 24 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft15%
- Airline operations27%
- National airspace system56%
- Weather2%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to EWR delayed?
- 25% of DTW–EWR flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-07 and 2026-07. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 22 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DTW to EWR?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 87%, based on 346 flights. 4 airlines flew DTW–EWR frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DTW to EWR?
- Departures around 12 p.m. have the best record (91% on-time), while departures around 5 p.m. have the worst (51%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DTW to EWR?
- The scheduled DTW–EWR flight time averages 1h 47m over 488 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 25% of the time.
- How often are DTW to EWR flights cancelled?
- 4.1% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07 — several times the typical US rate, so consider earlier departures or backup options.
- What is the worst month to fly from DTW to EWR?
- May 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 47% of arrivals on time. The best was May 2026 at 88%. If your dates are flexible, that 41-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 7,056 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.