Detroit (DTW) to Pittsburgh (PIT): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Detroit (DTW) to Pittsburgh (PIT) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2025, 92% of arrivals were on time; in January 2026 that fell to 50% — a 42-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 79% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (86% vs 77%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 79%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 17 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.8%
- Flights/day
- 2.8
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 9m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 201 mi
Best airline from DTW to PIT
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 85% | 10 min | 0.4% | 461 |
| Endeavor Air | 84% | 13 min | 1.6% | 247 |
| Delta Air Lines | 79% | 16 min | 1.3% | 462 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 76% | 20 min | 0.5% | 1,219 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to PIT
Aim for departures around 10 a.m. (86% on-time); avoid 4 p.m. departures (73%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 75% | 22 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 85% | 12 min |
| Wednesday | 81% | 15 min |
| Thursday | 80% | 17 min |
| Friday | 76% | 22 min |
| Saturday | 83% | 11 min |
| Sunday | 76% | 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 aircraft13%
- Airline operations64%
- National airspace system10%
- Weather13%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to PIT delayed?
- 21% of DTW–PIT 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 PIT?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 85%, based on 461 flights. 4 airlines flew DTW–PIT frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DTW to PIT?
- Departures around 10 a.m. have the best record (86% on-time), while departures around 4 p.m. have the worst (73%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DTW to PIT?
- The scheduled DTW–PIT flight time averages 1h 9m over 201 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 21% of the time.
- How often are DTW to PIT flights cancelled?
- 0.8% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from DTW to PIT?
- January 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 50% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2025 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 42-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,389 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.