75% of flights from Detroit to Providence arrived on time over the past 12 months. That is worse than the typical U.S. route. The 10 a.m. departures ran on time 82% of the time; the 2 p.m. ones 71%. 13% 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 → PVD: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 47% of the time. About 1 in 10 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 56 three hours or more; 2.5% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early74%
- 15–30 min late6.7%
- 30–60 min late5.9%
- 1–2 hours late6.6%
- 2–3 hours late1.8%
- 3+ hours late1.8%
- Diverted0.2%
- Cancelled2.5%
Share of all 945 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 | 945 | 75% | 2.5% | −8 min | 10.2% | +82 min | SkyWest 79%, Endeavor Air 11%, Delta Air Lines 10% |
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.
Last flight of the day
On DTW → PVD, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 4.2% of the time, against 1.6% for its earlier flights (2.7× as often). It arrived 3+ hours late 2.5% of the time (earlier flights: 1.4%). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | 9:30 p.m. | 4.2% | 2.5% | 1.6% | first flight 10:05 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 PVD tonight, book an earlier flight so there's a backup if it's cancelled.
By month
Each calendar month pooled over 2023–2026. Best: October (90%). Worst: January (61%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 143 | 70% | 6.3% |
| Tuesday | 139 | 76% | 0.7% |
| Wednesday | 137 | 73% | 0.7% |
| Thursday | 135 | 81% | 0.7% |
| Friday | 137 | 74% | 2.9% |
| Saturday | 116 | 74% | 0.9% |
| Sunday | 138 | 75% | 5.1% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: weather 16 · airline 6 · air traffic/airport 2
Month by month
Not enough months with data to draw a trend.
Worst days in the past year
| Date | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 19, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 1 |
| Dec 2, 2025 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Jul 1, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Dec 7, 2025 | 3 | 0% | 1 |
| Dec 5, 2025 | 3 | 0% | 1 |
Nearby airport alternatives
Other ways to make the same trip, using airports within 60 miles of Detroit or Providence. None has been clearly more reliable than DTW → PVD.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTW → PVD (this route) | 945 | 75% | 2.5% |
| DTW → BOS Detroit Metro to Boston Logan | 2,572 | 72% | 2.7% |
Questions
How often are flights from DTW to PVD on time?
75% of 945 scheduled flights from Detroit, MI to Providence, RI arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 2.5% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly DTW to PVD?
Flights scheduled to leave at 10 a.m. were the most reliable (82% on time). The 2 p.m. departures were the least (71%).
What month has the most delays from DTW to PVD?
January (61% on time). The best month is October (90%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from DTW to PVD more likely to be cancelled?
Yes. Each airline's last DTW–PVD flight of the day was cancelled 4.2% of the time over the past year, against 1.6% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- PVD → DTW (return)
- Detroit Metro (DTW) delays by hour
- Flights into Rhode Island T. F. Green (PVD)
- Delta Air Lines 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.