Best Time to Fly DTW to PHX: On-Time Stats by Hour & Airline
Detroit Metro Wayne County → Phoenix Sky Harbor International
Data through July 2026 · Last updated October 18, 2026
2,396 flights were scheduled from Detroit (DTW) to Phoenix (PHX) in the last 12 months, and 76.5% of those that flew arrived on time, 1.1 points below the US average of 77.6%.
Spirit Airlines was the most punctual of the 5 airlines on the route at 85.6%, while Frontier Airlines trailed at 71.8%.
October has been the best month (88% on time) and Sunday the weakest day of the week (75%).
0.7% of flights were cancelled, versus 1.8% nationally.
DTW to PHX 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit Airlines | 85.6% | 71 min | 2.1% | 94 |
| American Airlines | 80.0% | 96 min | 0.6% | 628 |
| Southwest Airlines | 80.0% | 34 min | 0.0% | 30 |
| Delta Air Lines | 75.3% | 64 min | 0.5% | 1,334 |
| Frontier Airlines | 71.8% | 130 min | 1.0% | 310 |
80%+ good 70–79.9% fair <70% poor
Best time of day to fly DTW to PHX
On-time arrival % by scheduled departure hour (local time), 4,794 flights over 24 months.
Show the numbers
| Departure hour | On time | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5am–6am | Limited data | 6 | |
| 6am–7am | 79.0% | 2.2% | 225 |
| 7am–8am | 80.7% | 0.8% | 491 |
| 8am–9am | 83.4% | 0.4% | 1,012 |
| 9am–10am | 77.4% | 3.1% | 64 |
| 10am–11am | Limited data | 5 | |
| 11am–12pm | Limited data | 22 | |
| 12pm–1pm | 80.6% | 0.3% | 649 |
| 1pm–2pm | 90.6% | 0.0% | 64 |
| 2pm–3pm | 81.2% | 2.3% | 87 |
| 3pm–4pm | 81.4% | 0.0% | 59 |
| 4pm–5pm | 70.5% | 0.8% | 587 |
| 5pm–6pm | 77.9% | 0.0% | 405 |
| 6pm–7pm | 84.4% | 0.0% | 270 |
| 7pm–8pm | 67.3% | 0.0% | 105 |
| 8pm–9pm | 72.5% | 0.6% | 668 |
| 9pm–10pm | 75.0% | 0.0% | 64 |
| 10pm–11pm | Limited data | 11 | |
Best day of the week
24 months, by day of departure.
Best month to fly
24 months, by calendar month.
Holiday travel on DTW to PHX
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) | 65.2% | -14.7 pts | 1.1% | 93 |
| Christmas & New Year (Dec 20 - Jan 3) | 64.3% | -15.6 pts | 1.9% | 214 |
| Summer peak (Jun 15 - Aug 15) | 77.3% | -2.6 pts | 0.8% | 874 |
| All other days | 79.9% | — | 0.4% | 3,613 |
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).