Chicago (MDW) to Detroit (DTW): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Chicago (MDW) to Detroit (DTW) effectively runs on two schedules. In November 2025, 90% of arrivals were on time; in June 2026 that fell to 58% — a 33-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 (86% vs 71%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 79%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 13 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.0%
- Flights/day
- 3.4
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 10m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 228 mi
Best airline from MDW to DTW
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkyWest Airlinesmost reliable | 83% | 14 min | 0.5% | 1,259 |
| Southwest Airlines | 77% | 13 min | 1.4% | 2,216 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MDW to DTW
Aim for departures around 10 a.m. (93% on-time); avoid 9 p.m. departures (49%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 14 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 84% | 11 min |
| Wednesday | 80% | 12 min |
| Thursday | 77% | 15 min |
| Friday | 76% | 15 min |
| Saturday | 83% | 11 min |
| Sunday | 77% | 15 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft34%
- Airline operations41%
- National airspace system13%
- Weather12%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MDW to DTW delayed?
- 21% of MDW–DTW 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 13 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from MDW to DTW?
- SkyWest Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 83%, based on 1,259 flights. 2 airlines flew MDW–DTW frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MDW to DTW?
- Departures around 10 a.m. have the best record (93% on-time), while departures around 9 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 MDW to DTW?
- The scheduled MDW–DTW flight time averages 1h 10m over 228 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 21% of the time.
- How often are MDW to DTW flights cancelled?
- 1% 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 MDW to DTW?
- June 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 58% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2025 at 90%. If your dates are flexible, that 33-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 3,475 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.