Philadelphia (PHL) to Detroit (DTW): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Philadelphia (PHL) to Detroit (DTW) effectively runs on two schedules. In November 2024, 92% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 66% — a 26-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 80% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (88% vs 70%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 80%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 20 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.9%
- Flights/day
- 8.1
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 50m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 453 mi
Best airline from PHL to DTW
7 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 83% | 18 min | 1.8% | 3,140 |
| Spirit Airlines | 82% | 14 min | 1.6% | 433 |
| Republic Airways | 80% | 21 min | 2.5% | 161 |
| PSA Airlines | 75% | 22 min | 5.5% | 1,471 |
| American Airlines | 74% | 21 min | 3.3% | 728 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 72% | 39 min | 1.1% | 184 |
| Frontier Airlines | 68% | 21 min | 4.2% | 191 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from PHL to DTW
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (91% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (67%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 80% | 17 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 84% | 19 min |
| Wednesday | 83% | 18 min |
| Thursday | 77% | 23 min |
| Friday | 76% | 20 min |
| Saturday | 79% | 20 min |
| Sunday | 78% | 20 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft43%
- Airline operations35%
- National airspace system16%
- Weather6%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from PHL to DTW delayed?
- 20% of PHL–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 20 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from PHL to DTW?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 83%, based on 3,140 flights. 7 airlines flew PHL–DTW frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from PHL to DTW?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (91% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (67%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from PHL to DTW?
- The scheduled PHL–DTW flight time averages 1h 50m over 453 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 20% of the time.
- How often are PHL to DTW flights cancelled?
- 2.9% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from PHL to DTW?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 66% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 26-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 6,353 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.