Detroit (DTW) to Houston (IAH): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Detroit (DTW) to Houston (IAH) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2025, 95% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 57% — a 38-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 79% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (84% vs 74%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 79%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 15 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.2%
- Flights/day
- 5.9
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 3h 8m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,075 mi
Best airline from DTW to IAH
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 85% | 10 min | 1.7% | 844 |
| Spirit Airlines | 78% | 17 min | 1.3% | 1,066 |
| Delta Air Lines | 77% | 16 min | 1.0% | 2,623 |
| Frontier Airlines | 65% | 23 min | 1.1% | 90 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to IAH
Aim for departures around 9 a.m. (95% on-time); avoid 4 p.m. departures (71%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 79% | 18 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 81% | 10 min |
| Wednesday | 79% | 16 min |
| Thursday | 78% | 15 min |
| Friday | 76% | 18 min |
| Saturday | 77% | 14 min |
| Sunday | 79% | 15 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft20%
- Airline operations47%
- National airspace system31%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to IAH delayed?
- 22% of DTW–IAH 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 15 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DTW to IAH?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 85%, based on 844 flights. 4 airlines flew DTW–IAH frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DTW to IAH?
- Departures around 9 a.m. have the best record (95% on-time), while departures around 4 p.m. have the worst (71%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DTW to IAH?
- The scheduled DTW–IAH flight time averages 3h 8m over 1,075 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 22% of the time.
- How often are DTW to IAH flights cancelled?
- 1.2% 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 IAH?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 57% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2025 at 95%. If your dates are flexible, that 38-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 4,627 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.