Detroit (DTW) to Kansas City (MCI): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Detroit (DTW) to Kansas City (MCI) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 94% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 65% — a 29-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 83% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (89% vs 75%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 83%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 13 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.9%
- Flights/day
- 3.7
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 5m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 629 mi
Best airline from DTW to MCI
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 83% | 13 min | 1.0% | 2,771 |
| Spirit Airlines | 75% | 22 min | 0.0% | 63 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to MCI
Aim for departures around 8 a.m. (89% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (69%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 80% | 17 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 88% | 13 min |
| Wednesday | 86% | 8 min |
| Thursday | 82% | 13 min |
| Friday | 81% | 14 min |
| Saturday | 84% | 9 min |
| Sunday | 81% | 14 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft31%
- Airline operations57%
- National airspace system8%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to MCI delayed?
- 17% of DTW–MCI 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 13 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DTW to MCI?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 83%, based on 2,771 flights. 2 airlines flew DTW–MCI frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DTW to MCI?
- Departures around 8 a.m. have the best record (89% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (69%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DTW to MCI?
- The scheduled DTW–MCI flight time averages 2h 5m over 629 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 17% of the time.
- How often are DTW to MCI flights cancelled?
- 0.9% 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 MCI?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 65% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 94%. If your dates are flexible, that 29-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,854 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.