Newark (EWR) to Detroit (DTW): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Newark (EWR) to Detroit (DTW) has an unusually high scrub rate — 3.9% of scheduled departures never left the gate, a cancellation rate several times the national figure. When flights do go, 78% land on time, below the national average of 78%. United Airlines has been the safer pick, arriving on time 84% of the time.
- On-time
- 78%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 21 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 3.9%
- Flights/day
- 10
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 0m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 488 mi
Best airline from EWR to DTW
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlinesmost reliable | 84% | 9 min | 2.4% | 372 |
| Republic Airways | 83% | 11 min | 5.1% | 2,418 |
| Delta Air Lines | 76% | 28 min | 2.4% | 3,178 |
| Spirit Airlines | 66% | 30 min | 6.9% | 831 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from EWR to DTW
Aim for departures around 11 a.m. (93% on-time); avoid 10 p.m. departures (49%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 77% | 22 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 83% | 15 min |
| Wednesday | 80% | 20 min |
| Thursday | 76% | 22 min |
| Friday | 77% | 22 min |
| Saturday | 76% | 23 min |
| Sunday | 76% | 23 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft42%
- Airline operations32%
- National airspace system25%
- Weather2%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from EWR to DTW delayed?
- 22% of EWR–DTW 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 21 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from EWR to DTW?
- United Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 84%, based on 372 flights. 4 airlines flew EWR–DTW frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from EWR to DTW?
- Departures around 11 a.m. have the best record (93% on-time), while departures around 10 p.m. have the worst (49%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from EWR to DTW?
- The scheduled EWR–DTW flight time averages 2h 0m over 488 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 22% of the time.
- How often are EWR to DTW flights cancelled?
- 3.9% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05 — several times the typical US rate, so consider earlier departures or backup options.
- What is the worst month to fly from EWR to DTW?
- May 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 62% of arrivals on time. The best was May 2026 at 90%. If your dates are flexible, that 28-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 6,803 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.