Milwaukee (MKE) to Detroit (DTW): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Milwaukee (MKE) to Detroit (DTW) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 95% of arrivals were on time; in March 2026 that fell to 66% — a 29-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 82% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 82%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 19 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.8%
- Flights/day
- 4.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 12m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 237 mi
Best airline from MKE 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 | 87% | 12 min | 1.2% | 1,124 |
| Republic Airways | 84% | 10 min | 0.0% | 86 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 78% | 24 min | 0.5% | 1,732 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MKE to DTW
Aim for departures around 9 a.m. (86% on-time); avoid 6 a.m. departures (72%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 81% | 20 min |
| Tuesday | 82% | 19 min |
| Wednesday | 80% | 22 min |
| Thursday | 85% | 16 min |
| Friday | 80% | 18 min |
| Saturdaybest | 86% | 11 min |
| Sunday | 79% | 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 aircraft12%
- Airline operations66%
- National airspace system8%
- Weather14%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MKE to DTW delayed?
- 18% of MKE–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 MKE to DTW?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 87%, based on 1,124 flights. 3 airlines flew MKE–DTW frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MKE to DTW?
- Departures around 9 a.m. have the best record (86% on-time), while departures around 6 a.m. have the worst (72%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from MKE to DTW?
- The scheduled MKE–DTW flight time averages 1h 12m over 237 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 18% of the time.
- How often are MKE to DTW flights cancelled?
- 0.8% 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 MKE to DTW?
- March 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 66% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 95%. If your dates are flexible, that 29-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,968 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.