Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Detroit (DTW): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Detroit (DTW) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 89% of arrivals were on time; in March 2026 that fell to 57% — a 32-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 76% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (86% vs 63%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 76%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 19 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.4%
- Flights/day
- 7.7
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 3h 4m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,127 mi
Best airline from FLL to DTW
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 78% | 17 min | 1.1% | 3,474 |
| Spirit Airlines | 72% | 21 min | 1.8% | 1,707 |
| Frontier Airlines | 46% | 50 min | 5.6% | 89 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from FLL to DTW
Aim for departures around 7 a.m. (93% on-time); avoid 9 p.m. departures (59%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 72% | 24 min |
| Tuesday | 79% | 17 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 83% | 12 min |
| Thursday | 79% | 17 min |
| Friday | 75% | 20 min |
| Saturday | 77% | 18 min |
| Sunday | 67% | 25 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 operations35%
- National airspace system19%
- Weather4%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from FLL to DTW delayed?
- 24% of FLL–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 19 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from FLL to DTW?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 78%, based on 3,474 flights. 3 airlines flew FLL–DTW frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from FLL to DTW?
- Departures around 7 a.m. have the best record (93% on-time), while departures around 9 p.m. have the worst (59%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from FLL to DTW?
- The scheduled FLL–DTW flight time averages 3h 4m over 1,127 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 24% of the time.
- How often are FLL to DTW 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 FLL to DTW?
- March 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 57% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 89%. If your dates are flexible, that 32-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 5,270 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.