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Route · DTW → ORD · 2020–2025 BTS data

Detroit to Chicago

The DTW–ORD corridor (Detroit, MI → Chicago, IL) runs ahead of the national average, served by 58 carriers across roughly 235 miles.

Data updated 2026-06-13

82.5%
On-time
+3.5 pts
vs US avg
86 min
Delay when late
29,443
Flights

Cancelled

1.7%

Best Month

Feb 2024 92%

Worst Month

Dec 2025 57%

Distance

235 mi

Carriers

58

Monthly Performance

Recent 24 months of route data.

Period Flights Delayed Cancelled Diverted Carriers
Dec 2025 420 182 15 1 DL,YX,OH,MQ,UA,OO
Nov 2025 472 123 39 0 OO,UA,DL,MQ,AA,YX
Oct 2025 519 126 0 1 DL,OO,UA,YX,MQ
Sep 2025 481 92 2 0 MQ,UA,OO,DL,YX
Aug 2025 501 119 14 1 OO,YX,MQ,UA,DL
Jul 2025 536 169 12 0 OO,UA,YX,DL,MQ
Jun 2025 526 134 5 1 DL,OO,UA,YX,MQ
May 2025 531 85 2 0 OO,UA,YX,DL,MQ
Apr 2025 532 96 10 0 DL,MQ,OO,UA,YX
Mar 2025 493 92 4 2 AA,YX,OO,UA,DL,MQ
Feb 2025 389 105 14 0 AA,DL,OO,UA,YX,MQ
Jan 2025 423 99 2 0 AA,DL,YX,OO,UA,MQ
Dec 2024 429 95 10 0 AA,DL,MQ,OO,UA,YX
Nov 2024 457 72 2 0 OO,9E,UA,MQ,NK,YX,DL,AA
Oct 2024 552 68 0 1 UA,MQ,OO,DL,YX,NK,AA
Sep 2024 517 60 0 0 NK,OO,UA,AA,DL,MQ
Aug 2024 532 132 3 4 AA,DL,MQ,NK,YX,OO,UA
Jul 2024 472 113 13 0 9E,AA,DL,MQ,OO,UA,YX
Jun 2024 466 96 3 0 9E,AA,DL,MQ,NK,OO,UA,YX
May 2024 485 104 7 2 AA,DL,MQ,YX,OO,UA
Apr 2024 464 85 1 1 AA,DL,MQ,OO,UA,YX
Mar 2024 450 73 0 0 AA,DL,MQ,OO,UA,YX
Feb 2024 381 30 2 0 AA,DL,MQ,OO,UA,YX
Jan 2024 353 110 32 1 9E,AA,DL,MQ,YX,OO,UA

Cancellation Rate

1.7%

192 of 11,381 flights

Diversion Rate

0.1%

15 of 11,381 flights

What the Data Says About DTW to ORD

Bureau of Transportation Statistics records show Detroit to Chicago (DTW to ORD) running a 82.5% on-time rate over 29,443 tracked flights, on the stronger end of a typical domestic pairing. When flights do run late, the average delay is 85.7 minutes. The 235-mile corridor is served by 58 carriers, and over the last 24 months 1.7% of 11,381 flights were cancelled, 0.1% diverted.

The monthly split is wide on this route: Feb 2024 posted the strongest performance at 92% on-time, while Dec 2025 came in at just 57% - a 36-point swing worth factoring into travel timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often are flights delayed from DTW to ORD?
Flights from Detroit to Chicago have a 82.5% on-time rate based on 29,443 flights. The average delay is 85.7 minutes. The best recent month was Feb 2024 with 92% on-time.
What is the cancellation rate for DTW to ORD?
Over the last 24 months, 1.7% of flights on this route were cancelled (192 of 11,381 flights) and 0.1% were diverted.
How far is the flight from DTW to ORD?
The flight distance from Detroit (DTW) to Chicago (ORD) is approximately 235 miles. This route is served by 58 carriers.
When is the best time to fly from DTW to ORD?
The best recent month for on-time performance was Feb 2024 (92% on-time). The worst was Dec 2025 (57% on-time). Consider booking during months with historically better performance.

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Data source

Data Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), On-Time Performance Data. Statistics reflect cumulative performance across all available reporting periods.

Data sourced from U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) On-Time Performance data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainFlights Editorial

Every figure on PlainFlights is rendered directly from BTS On-Time Performance data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page aggregates this specific route's on-time performance and monthly trend, live from the dataset. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.