Tampa (TPA) to Detroit (DTW): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Tampa (TPA) to Detroit (DTW) effectively runs on two schedules. In September 2025, 93% of arrivals were on time; in December 2025 that fell to 71% — a 23-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 81% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (88% vs 72%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 81%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 15 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.9%
- Flights/day
- 6.4
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 43m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 983 mi
Best airline from TPA to DTW
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 82% | 15 min | 1.7% | 3,450 |
| Spirit Airlines | 80% | 14 min | 2.8% | 1,088 |
| Frontier Airlines | 78% | 17 min | 0.4% | 257 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from TPA to DTW
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (96% on-time); avoid 5 p.m. departures (65%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 76% | 18 min |
| Tuesday | 86% | 10 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 87% | 10 min |
| Thursday | 81% | 15 min |
| Friday | 82% | 14 min |
| Saturday | 80% | 14 min |
| Sunday | 78% | 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 aircraft41%
- Airline operations33%
- National airspace system22%
- Weather4%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from TPA to DTW delayed?
- 19% of TPA–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 15 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from TPA to DTW?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 82%, based on 3,450 flights. 3 airlines flew TPA–DTW frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from TPA to DTW?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (96% on-time), while departures around 5 p.m. have the worst (65%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from TPA to DTW?
- The scheduled TPA–DTW flight time averages 2h 43m over 983 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 19% of the time.
- How often are TPA to DTW flights cancelled?
- 1.9% 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 TPA to DTW?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 71% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2025 at 93%. If your dates are flexible, that 23-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 4,805 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.