Detroit (DTW) to Chicago (ORD): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Detroit (DTW) to Chicago (ORD) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2024, 88% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 55% — a 34-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 76% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (83% vs 62%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 76%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 21 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.2%
- Flights/day
- 16
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 30m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 235 mi
Best airline from DTW to ORD
7 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 84% | 15 min | 2.7% | 1,092 |
| Envoy Air | 78% | 17 min | 3.2% | 1,942 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 76% | 24 min | 2.4% | 4,316 |
| Delta Air Lines | 76% | 20 min | 1.5% | 3,179 |
| Spirit Airlines | 76% | 29 min | 0.6% | 157 |
| American Airlines | 70% | 40 min | 3.9% | 259 |
| United Airlines | 69% | 23 min | 1.0% | 1,374 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to ORD
Aim for departures around 11 a.m. (88% on-time); avoid 6 p.m. departures (54%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 76% | 25 min |
| Tuesday | 78% | 18 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 79% | 19 min |
| Thursday | 76% | 22 min |
| Friday | 71% | 26 min |
| Saturday | 78% | 16 min |
| Sunday | 74% | 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 aircraft25%
- Airline operations42%
- National airspace system27%
- Weather7%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to ORD delayed?
- 24% of DTW–ORD 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 21 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DTW to ORD?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 84%, based on 1,092 flights. 7 airlines flew DTW–ORD frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DTW to ORD?
- Departures around 11 a.m. have the best record (88% on-time), while departures around 6 p.m. have the worst (54%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DTW to ORD?
- The scheduled DTW–ORD flight time averages 1h 30m over 235 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 24% of the time.
- How often are DTW to ORD flights cancelled?
- 2.2% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from DTW to ORD?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 55% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2024 at 88%. If your dates are flexible, that 34-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 12,345 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.