Detroit (DTW) to St. Louis (STL): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Detroit (DTW) to St. Louis (STL) effectively runs on two schedules. In March 2025, 92% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 60% — a 32-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 80% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (87% vs 72%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 80%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 14 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.8%
- Flights/day
- 5.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 41m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 440 mi
Best airline from DTW to STL
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 82% | 13 min | 0.8% | 2,439 |
| Southwest Airlines | 80% | 12 min | 0.4% | 1,171 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 64% | 30 min | 1.8% | 227 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to STL
Aim for departures around 7 a.m. (95% on-time); avoid 6 p.m. departures (71%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 79% | 16 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 84% | 11 min |
| Wednesday | 83% | 11 min |
| Thursday | 80% | 12 min |
| Friday | 76% | 16 min |
| Saturday | 83% | 11 min |
| Sunday | 77% | 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 aircraft32%
- Airline operations52%
- National airspace system11%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to STL delayed?
- 20% of DTW–STL 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 14 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DTW to STL?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 82%, based on 2,439 flights. 3 airlines flew DTW–STL frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DTW to STL?
- Departures around 7 a.m. have the best record (95% on-time), while departures around 6 p.m. have the worst (71%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DTW to STL?
- The scheduled DTW–STL flight time averages 1h 41m over 440 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 20% of the time.
- How often are DTW to STL flights cancelled?
- 0.8% 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 STL?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 60% of arrivals on time. The best was March 2025 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 32-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 3,887 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.