Detroit (DTW) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Detroit (DTW) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2025, 89% of arrivals were on time; in March 2026 that fell to 53% — a 36-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 75% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (81% vs 66%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 75%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 18 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.4%
- Flights/day
- 7.7
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 3h 4m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,127 mi
Best airline from DTW to FLL
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 75% | 17 min | 1.2% | 3,472 |
| Spirit Airlines | 74% | 19 min | 1.8% | 1,692 |
| Frontier Airlines | 57% | 30 min | 4.5% | 89 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to FLL
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (88% on-time); avoid 4 p.m. departures (57%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 72% | 23 min |
| Tuesday | 80% | 15 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 80% | 14 min |
| Thursday | 73% | 17 min |
| Friday | 75% | 18 min |
| Saturday | 74% | 16 min |
| Sunday | 68% | 23 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft24%
- Airline operations43%
- National airspace system32%
- Weather2%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to FLL delayed?
- 26% of DTW–FLL flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-06 and 2026-05. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 18 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DTW to FLL?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 75%, based on 3,472 flights. 3 airlines flew DTW–FLL frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DTW to FLL?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (88% on-time), while departures around 4 p.m. have the worst (57%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DTW to FLL?
- The scheduled DTW–FLL flight time averages 3h 4m over 1,127 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 26% of the time.
- How often are DTW to FLL flights cancelled?
- 1.4% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from DTW to FLL?
- March 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 53% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2025 at 89%. If your dates are flexible, that 36-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 5,253 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.