New York (LGA) to Detroit (DTW): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Delays are only half the story on LGA–DTW: 3.3% of its scheduled flights were outright cancelled, well above the US norm, so a backup plan matters more here than on most routes. When flights do go, 79% land on time, no worse than the national average of 78%.
- On-time
- 79%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 18 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 3.3%
- Flights/day
- 11
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 2m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 502 mi
Best airline from LGA 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 | 80% | 18 min | 2.2% | 3,945 |
| Spirit Airlines | 79% | 20 min | 4.5% | 2,151 |
| Republic Airways | 79% | 15 min | 4.2% | 1,969 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from LGA to DTW
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (93% on-time); avoid 6 p.m. departures (62%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 19 min |
| Tuesday | 80% | 17 min |
| Wednesday | 81% | 18 min |
| Thursday | 76% | 18 min |
| Friday | 78% | 19 min |
| Saturdaybest | 85% | 13 min |
| Sunday | 77% | 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 aircraft40%
- Airline operations25%
- National airspace system32%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from LGA to DTW delayed?
- 21% of LGA–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 18 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from LGA to DTW?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 80%, based on 3,945 flights. 3 airlines flew LGA–DTW frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from LGA to DTW?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (93% on-time), while departures around 6 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 LGA to DTW?
- The scheduled LGA–DTW flight time averages 2h 2m over 502 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 21% of the time.
- How often are LGA to DTW flights cancelled?
- 3.3% 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 LGA to DTW?
- December 2025 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 8,069 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.