Detroit (DTW) to Saginaw/Bay City/Midland (MBS): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Detroit (DTW) to Saginaw/Bay City/Midland (MBS) effectively runs on two schedules. In May 2026, 93% of arrivals were on time; in March 2026 that fell to 55% — a 38-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 79% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 79%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 18 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.8%
- Flights/day
- 2.9
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 56m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 98 mi
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to MBS
Aim for departures around 1 p.m. (88% on-time); avoid 4 p.m. departures (74%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 19 min |
| Tuesday | 79% | 20 min |
| Wednesday | 83% | 11 min |
| Thursday | 78% | 21 min |
| Friday | 78% | 20 min |
| Saturdaybest | 84% | 11 min |
| Sunday | 76% | 24 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Airline operations76%
- National airspace system6%
- Weather18%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to MBS delayed?
- 21% of DTW–MBS 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 18 minutes.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DTW to MBS?
- Departures around 1 p.m. have the best record (88% on-time), while departures around 4 p.m. have the worst (74%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DTW to MBS?
- The scheduled DTW–MBS flight time averages 56m over 98 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 21% of the time.
- How often are DTW to MBS flights cancelled?
- 0.8% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from DTW to MBS?
- March 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 55% of arrivals on time. The best was May 2026 at 93%. If your dates are flexible, that 38-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,388 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.