Detroit (DTW) to Tampa (TPA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Detroit (DTW) to Tampa (TPA) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2025, 95% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 62% — a 34-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 (83% vs 72%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 79%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 14 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.9%
- Flights/day
- 6.4
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 40m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 983 mi
Best airline from DTW to TPA
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 80% | 14 min | 1.7% | 3,451 |
| Spirit Airlines | 78% | 14 min | 3.0% | 1,089 |
| Frontier Airlines | 72% | 21 min | 0.4% | 256 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to TPA
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (91% on-time); avoid 9 p.m. departures (64%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 18 min |
| Tuesday | 85% | 10 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 85% | 11 min |
| Thursday | 78% | 14 min |
| Friday | 78% | 14 min |
| Saturday | 78% | 14 min |
| Sunday | 73% | 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 aircraft25%
- Airline operations45%
- National airspace system27%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to TPA delayed?
- 21% of DTW–TPA 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 TPA?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 80%, based on 3,451 flights. 3 airlines flew DTW–TPA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DTW to TPA?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (91% on-time), while departures around 9 p.m. have the worst (64%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DTW to TPA?
- The scheduled DTW–TPA flight time averages 2h 40m over 983 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 21% of the time.
- How often are DTW to TPA flights cancelled?
- 1.9% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from DTW to TPA?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 62% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2025 at 95%. If your dates are flexible, that 34-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 4,806 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.