Detroit (DTW) to Raleigh/Durham (RDU): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Detroit (DTW) to Raleigh/Durham (RDU) effectively runs on two schedules. In November 2024, 91% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 72% — a 19-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 84% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (88% vs 77%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 84%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 11 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.4%
- Flights/day
- 4.3
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 43m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 501 mi
Best airline from DTW to RDU
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit Airlinesmost reliable | 85% | 12 min | 0.0% | 106 |
| Delta Air Lines | 84% | 10 min | 0.9% | 2,693 |
| Frontier Airlines | 78% | 14 min | 5.9% | 324 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to RDU
Aim for departures around 7 a.m. (90% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (69%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 86% | 10 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 88% | 8 min |
| Wednesday | 85% | 9 min |
| Thursday | 82% | 12 min |
| Friday | 83% | 9 min |
| Saturday | 84% | 10 min |
| Sunday | 77% | 16 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 operations55%
- National airspace system17%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to RDU delayed?
- 16% of DTW–RDU 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 11 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DTW to RDU?
- Spirit Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 85%, based on 106 flights. 3 airlines flew DTW–RDU frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DTW to RDU?
- Departures around 7 a.m. have the best record (90% on-time), while departures around 8 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 RDU?
- The scheduled DTW–RDU flight time averages 1h 43m over 501 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 16% of the time.
- How often are DTW to RDU flights cancelled?
- 1.4% 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 RDU?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 72% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 91%. If your dates are flexible, that 19-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 3,123 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.