Detroit (DTW) to Fort Myers (RSW): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
The calendar drives reliability on DTW–RSW. September 2024 flights landed on schedule 92% of the time, but January 2026 dropped to 64% — a gap of 28 points. Across the full period the route averages 77% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (80% vs 72%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 77%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 16 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.1%
- Flights/day
- 5.1
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 53m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,084 mi
Best airline from DTW to RSW
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 78% | 15 min | 1.6% | 2,594 |
| Spirit Airlines | 75% | 17 min | 3.4% | 952 |
| Frontier Airlines | 70% | 21 min | 2.0% | 153 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to RSW
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (87% on-time); avoid 4 p.m. departures (62%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 17 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 83% | 13 min |
| Wednesday | 79% | 15 min |
| Thursday | 78% | 13 min |
| Friday | 76% | 15 min |
| Saturday | 75% | 17 min |
| Sunday | 69% | 21 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft22%
- Airline operations44%
- National airspace system29%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to RSW delayed?
- 23% of DTW–RSW 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 16 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DTW to RSW?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 78%, based on 2,594 flights. 3 airlines flew DTW–RSW frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DTW to RSW?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (87% on-time), while departures around 4 p.m. have the worst (62%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DTW to RSW?
- The scheduled DTW–RSW flight time averages 2h 53m over 1,084 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 23% of the time.
- How often are DTW to RSW flights cancelled?
- 2.1% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from DTW to RSW?
- January 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 64% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2024 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 28-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 3,699 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.