72% of flights from Detroit to Boston arrived on time over the past 12 months. That is worse than the typical U.S. route. The 7 a.m. departures ran on time 88% of the time; the 5 p.m. ones 47%. Most reliable airline: Spirit Airlines (76%). 14% of flights arrived more than an hour late or not at all.
How late?
The on-time rate treats a flight 20 minutes late the same as one 5 hours late. Here's the split for DTW → BOS: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 45% of the time. About 1 in 9 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 73 three hours or more; 2.7% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early72%
- 15–30 min late7.3%
- 30–60 min late7.4%
- 1–2 hours late7.0%
- 2–3 hours late2.6%
- 3+ hours late1.4%
- Diverted0.0%
- Cancelled2.7%
Share of all 2,572 scheduled flights, past 12 months, by arrival time against schedule.
By airline
| Airline | Flights | On time | Cancelled | Typical arrival | 1h+ late | Avg when late | Operated by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | 1,718 | 73% | 2.0% | −6 min | 9.7% | +65 min | Delta Air Lines 100%, Republic Airways 0% |
| JetBlue | 747 | 68% | 4.7% | −6 min | 14.1% | +84 min | JetBlue |
| Spirit Airlines | 107 | 76% | 0.0% | −11 min | 11.2% | +59 min | Spirit Airlines |
Airline = the name on the ticket. Regional flights (e.g. "Delta Connection") count under the ticketing airline, and the operator is listed.
Best time of day to fly
On-time rate by scheduled departure hour (local time at DTW). Delays build through the day as late planes knock on, so early flights usually do best.
By airline and hour
| Departs | Delta Air Lines | JetBlue |
|---|---|---|
| 7 a.m. | 89% | 86% |
| 10 a.m. | 81% | — |
| 2 p.m. | 67% | — |
| 5 p.m. | 50% | — |
| 9 p.m. | 68% | — |
Last flight of the day
On DTW → BOS, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 3.2% of the time, against 2.5% for its earlier flights (1.3× as often). It arrived 3+ hours late 2.0% of the time (earlier flights: 1.3%). It matters more than the numbers suggest. Miss an earlier flight and there's another one that evening; miss the last one and you're usually waiting until morning.
| Airline | Last departure | Last: cancelled | Last: 3h+ late | Earlier: cancelled | Next morning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JetBlue | 6:44 p.m. | 4.8% | 3.9% | 4.2% | first flight 7:30 a.m. |
| Delta Air Lines | 9:59 p.m. | 2.2% | 0.8% | 2.0% | first flight 7:05 a.m. |
Last flight = the airline's last scheduled departure on this route that day, on days it flies the route at least twice; past 12 months. Times are typical scheduled times over the latest three months.
If you need to be in BOS tonight, book an earlier flight so there's a backup if it's cancelled.
By month
Each calendar month pooled over 2023–2026. Best: March (81%). Worst: July (63%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 391 | 67% | 4.1% |
| Tuesday | 353 | 75% | 2.8% |
| Wednesday | 360 | 75% | 1.1% |
| Thursday | 377 | 71% | 1.6% |
| Friday | 383 | 71% | 3.1% |
| Saturday | 325 | 79% | 2.8% |
| Sunday | 383 | 65% | 3.4% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: weather 27 · airline 25 · air traffic/airport 18
Month by month
Flight numbers on this route
Regular flights with at least 120 scheduled trips in the past year. Sorted by departure time.
| Flight | Departs | Flights | On time | Cancelled | Typical arrival | Operated by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL 1163 | 7:00 a.m. | 365 | 89% | 2.2% | −14 min | Delta Air Lines |
| B6 1236 | 7:30 a.m. | 173 | 86% | 4.0% | −14 min | JetBlue |
| DL 2648 | 10:05 a.m. | 364 | 81% | 1.4% | −8 min | Delta Air Lines |
| DL 1171 | 2:00 p.m. | 360 | 67% | 1.4% | +1 min | Delta Air Lines |
| B6 1336 | 2:46 p.m. | 263 | 65% | 5.7% | −5 min | JetBlue |
| DL 1707 | 5:59 p.m. | 265 | 54% | 3.4% | +10 min | Delta Air Lines |
| B6 1136 | 6:44 p.m. | 141 | 46% | 6.4% | +17 min | JetBlue |
| DL 1187 | 9:50 p.m. | 361 | 69% | 1.9% | −6 min | Delta Air Lines |
Worst days in the past year
| Date | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 10, 2025 | 8 | 0% | 1 |
| Nov 6, 2025 | 7 | 0% | 0 |
| Jan 25, 2026 | 6 | 0% | 5 |
| Jan 26, 2026 | 6 | 0% | 3 |
| Feb 23, 2026 | 6 | 0% | 6 |
Nearby airport alternatives
Other ways to make the same trip, using airports within 60 miles of Detroit or Boston. None has been clearly more reliable than DTW → BOS.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTW → BOS (this route) | 2,572 | 72% | 2.7% |
| DTW → PVD Detroit Metro to Rhode Island T. F. Green | 945 | 75% | 2.5% |
Questions
How often are flights from DTW to BOS on time?
72% of 2,572 scheduled flights from Detroit, MI to Boston, MA arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 2.7% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly DTW to BOS?
Flights scheduled to leave at 7 a.m. were the most reliable (88% on time). The 5 p.m. departures were the least (47%).
Which airline is most on time from DTW to BOS?
Spirit Airlines: 76% of its 107 flights on the route arrived on time. Delta Air Lines: 73%. JetBlue: 68%.
What month has the most delays from DTW to BOS?
July (63% on time). The best month is March (81%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from DTW to BOS more likely to be cancelled?
Yes. Each airline's last DTW–BOS flight of the day was cancelled 3.2% of the time over the past year, against 2.5% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- BOS → DTW (return)
- Detroit Metro (DTW) delays by hour
- Flights into Boston Logan (BOS)
- Delta Air Lines on-time record
- JetBlue on-time record
- Spirit Airlines on-time record
- Connecting off this flight? Check the risk
Domestic flights by the airlines that report to the U.S. DOT, plus their regional partners. "On time" means arriving less than 15 minutes after schedule; cancelled and diverted flights count as not on time. Past performance is a guide, not a forecast. Method.