Detroit (DTW) to Portland (PDX): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Detroit (DTW) to Portland (PDX) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2025, 91% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 13% — a 77-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 72% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (82% vs 64%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 72%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 17 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.0%
- Flights/day
- 1.0
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 4h 46m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,953 mi
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to PDX
Aim for departures around 8 a.m. (85% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (61%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 74% | 13 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 77% | 18 min |
| Wednesday | 75% | 15 min |
| Thursday | 68% | 21 min |
| Friday | 72% | 16 min |
| Saturday | 71% | 20 min |
| Sunday | 73% | 17 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft17%
- Airline operations63%
- National airspace system20%
- Weather1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to PDX delayed?
- 28% of DTW–PDX 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 17 minutes.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DTW to PDX?
- Departures around 8 a.m. have the best record (85% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (61%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DTW to PDX?
- The scheduled DTW–PDX flight time averages 4h 46m over 1,953 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 28% of the time.
- How often are DTW to PDX flights cancelled?
- 1% 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 PDX?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 13% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2025 at 91%. If your dates are flexible, that 77-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 773 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.