Detroit (DTW) to New York (JFK): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Detroit (DTW) to New York (JFK) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2025, 91% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 62% — a 29-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 80% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (88% vs 73%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 80%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 17 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.9%
- Flights/day
- 3.3
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 56m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 509 mi
Best airline from DTW to JFK
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 90% | 6 min | 0.0% | 102 |
| Endeavor Air | 86% | 11 min | 0.5% | 432 |
| JetBlue Airways | 85% | 14 min | 3.2% | 498 |
| Delta Air Lines | 76% | 21 min | 2.0% | 1,233 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to JFK
Aim for departures around 10 a.m. (90% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (72%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 80% | 16 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 87% | 15 min |
| Wednesday | 81% | 19 min |
| Thursday | 80% | 15 min |
| Friday | 78% | 18 min |
| Saturday | 80% | 15 min |
| Sunday | 78% | 18 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft16%
- Airline operations39%
- National airspace system40%
- Weather4%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to JFK delayed?
- 20% of DTW–JFK 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 17 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DTW to JFK?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 90%, based on 102 flights. 4 airlines flew DTW–JFK frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DTW to JFK?
- Departures around 10 a.m. have the best record (90% on-time), while departures around 8 p.m. have the worst (72%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DTW to JFK?
- The scheduled DTW–JFK flight time averages 1h 56m over 509 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 20% of the time.
- How often are DTW to JFK flights cancelled?
- 1.9% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from DTW to JFK?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 62% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2025 at 91%. If your dates are flexible, that 29-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,273 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.