Best Time to Fly DFW to DTW: On-Time Stats by Hour & Airline
Dallas/Fort Worth International → Detroit Metro Wayne County
Data through July 2026 · Last updated October 18, 2026
3,490 flights were scheduled from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Detroit (DTW) in the last 12 months, and 75.5% of those that flew arrived on time, 2.1 points below the US average of 77.6%.
Delta Air Lines was the most punctual of the 4 airlines on the route at 84.1%, while American Airlines trailed at 66.8%.
October has been the best month (85% on time) and Sunday the weakest day of the week (71%).
2.1% of flights were cancelled, versus 1.8% nationally.
DFW to DTW on-time performance by airline
Last 12 months. Airlines with fewer than 30 completed flights are marked “limited data”.
| Airline | On time | Avg delay when late | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | 84.1% | 98 min | 1.7% | 1,404 |
| Spirit Airlines | 80.8% | 83 min | 1.1% | 189 |
| Frontier Airlines | 77.6% | 72 min | 1.5% | 259 |
| American Airlines | 66.8% | 70 min | 2.6% | 1,623 |
| Envoy Air | Limited data | 15 | ||
80%+ good 70–79.9% fair <70% poor
Best time of day to fly DFW to DTW
On-time arrival % by scheduled departure hour (local time), 7,504 flights over 24 months.
Show the numbers
| Departure hour | On time | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5am–6am | 92.6% | 0.8% | 790 |
| 6am–7am | 89.0% | 1.5% | 259 |
| 7am–8am | 86.1% | 1.8% | 679 |
| 8am–9am | 80.7% | 3.1% | 128 |
| 9am–10am | Limited data | 17 | |
| 10am–11am | 80.9% | 1.2% | 430 |
| 11am–12pm | 77.1% | 1.6% | 1,089 |
| 12pm–1pm | 78.1% | 3.7% | 134 |
| 1pm–2pm | 77.2% | 1.3% | 781 |
| 2pm–3pm | 71.0% | 0.4% | 455 |
| 3pm–4pm | 67.0% | 1.6% | 691 |
| 4pm–5pm | 72.7% | 0.8% | 129 |
| 5pm–6pm | 76.3% | 2.5% | 403 |
| 6pm–7pm | 66.0% | 1.5% | 744 |
| 7pm–8pm | 57.3% | 3.4% | 349 |
| 8pm–9pm | 66.3% | 1.5% | 268 |
| 9pm–10pm | 70.4% | 3.8% | 158 |
Best day of the week
24 months, by day of departure.
Best month to fly
24 months, by calendar month.
Holiday travel on DFW to DTW
On-time arrivals during holiday periods compared with all other days, last 24 months.
| Period | On time | vs other days | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving week (Tue before to Mon after) | 72.5% | -5.5 pts | 0.7% | 154 |
| Christmas & New Year (Dec 20 - Jan 3) | 71.4% | -6.6 pts | 0.3% | 323 |
| Summer peak (Jun 15 - Aug 15) | 70.5% | -7.5 pts | 1.9% | 1,298 |
| All other days | 78.0% | — | 1.6% | 5,729 |
Monthly on-time trend
On-time arrival % each month, with the 12-month US average for reference.
What causes delays on this route
Share of reported delay minutes, last 12 months (BTS cause categories).