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Route on-time record

DTW to SFO: most on-time flights and the best time to fly

Detroit (Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport) to San Francisco (San Francisco International Airport). 1,803 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 72% arrived within 15 minutes and 0.9% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was United 611 at 7:10 AM.

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DTW → SFO

Detroit to San Francisco: 1,803 nonstop flights a year

On time (12 months)

72%

Cancelled

0.9%

avg delay 20 min

Best time to leave

Noon to 3 PM

77% on time vs 63% 6 to 9 PM

Most reliable airline

United

74% chance on time

Check DTW to SFO fares

Fares open on our travel partner (Aviasales). Pick the flight number you chose here.

Most reliable nonstop flights

Ranked by the chance the flight operates and arrives within 15 minutes of schedule, from Jun 2025 to May 2026 records.

  1. #1 · United 611

    7:10 AM → 9:30 AM5h 20m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-20.

    83%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    89%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    5 min
    • Arrived on time 89% of the time (53 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Never cancelled in 53 scheduled flights.
    • Departs outside DTW's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 64% of its 28 ground stops and delay programs started).
    • Lands inside SFO's trouble window: 60% of its 334 ground stops and delay programs started between 7 AM and 1 PM.

    Limited track record · 53 flights

    Find United 611 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  2. #2 · United 1863

    5:29 PM → 7:40 PM5h 11m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.

    76%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    64%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    37 min
    • Arrived on time 64% of the time (11 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Departs inside DTW's trouble window: 64% of its 28 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.

    Limited track record · 11 flights

    Find United 1863 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  3. #3 · Delta 469

    12:33 PM → 2:42 PM5h 03m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.

    75%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    77%
    Cancelled
    0.7%
    Avg arrival delay
    20 min
    • Arrived on time 77% of the time (299 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Noon to 3 PM: 77% on time; 6 to 9 PM: 63%).
    • Departs outside DTW's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 64% of its 28 ground stops and delay programs started).

    Strong track record · 299 flights

    Find Delta 469 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  4. #4 · Delta 361

    8:30 AM → 10:45 AM5h 00m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.

    75%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    76%
    Cancelled
    1.4%
    Avg arrival delay
    12 min
    • Arrived on time 76% of the time (360 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Departs outside DTW's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 64% of its 28 ground stops and delay programs started).
    • Lands inside SFO's trouble window: 60% of its 334 ground stops and delay programs started between 7 AM and 1 PM.

    Strong track record · 360 flights

    Find Delta 361 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  5. #5 · Delta 442

    4:59 PM → 7:07 PM5h 04m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.

    67%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    68%
    Cancelled
    0.3%
    Avg arrival delay
    17 min
    • Arrived on time 68% of the time (348 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Departs inside DTW's trouble window: 64% of its 28 ground stops and delay programs started between 1 PM and 7 PM.

    Strong track record · 348 flights

    Find Delta 442 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  6. #6 · Delta 1327

    8:25 PM → 10:21 PM4h 56m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.

    65%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    69%
    Cancelled
    1.5%
    Avg arrival delay
    22 min
    • Arrived on time 69% of the time (191 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's least on-time window (6 to 9 PM: 63% on time; Noon to 3 PM: 77%).
    • Departs outside DTW's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 64% of its 28 ground stops and delay programs started).

    Moderate track record · 191 flights

    Find Delta 1327 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

Airlines on this route

Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.

  • United Airlines74%

    415 flights · 75% on time as flown · 0.9% cancel

  • Delta Air Lines70%

    1,388 flights · 71% on time as flown · 0.9% cancel

On time by departure time

All airlines, scheduled local departure, Jun 2025 to May 2026.

  • Before 9 AM76%

    602 flights · avg delay 15 min

  • Noon to 3 PM77%

    303 flights · avg delay 20 min

  • 3 to 6 PM71%

    467 flights · avg delay 18 min

  • 6 to 9 PM63%

    423 flights · avg delay 31 min

Best day: Tuesday (81%). Worst: Friday (72%).

On time by month

All airlines, Jun 2023 to May 2026. Several years per month, so one stormy season doesn't define a month. Travel-month estimates use this seasonal pattern.

J
74
F
68
M
70
A
76
M
70
J
76
J
72
A
78
S
91
O
83
N
73
D
72

What delays this route

  • Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)41%
  • Air traffic control and airport volume34%
  • Late-arriving aircraft19%
  • Severe weather6%

Share of delay minutes by the cause airlines report to the US DOT.

Historical odds, not a guarantee. Built from the US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics on-time reports (Jun 2025 to May 2026), FAA ground stop and delay program advisories, and 20 years of airport weather observations. Covers US airlines that report to the DOT; schedules are flights operated recently, so confirm times when you book. ATIS Alerts is not affiliated with any airline. Fares are what Aviasales travelers saw in recent searches (USD, one way, 1 adult), not live quotes; the partner site shows the current price. Fare links go to our travel partner and may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Affiliate disclosure

Finding the most reliable connections from DTW to SFO…

DTW to SFO questions

What time of day is best to fly DTW to SFO?
Noon to 3 PM: 77% of flights arrived on time, against 63% for departures 6 to 9 PM.
Which airline is most on time from DTW to SFO?
United, with a season-adjusted 74% chance of operating and arriving on time over 415 flights. The adjustment compares each airline with what the route did in the months it flew, so a carrier that skipped a stormy month gets no free credit.
What is the worst month for delays on DTW to SFO?
February (68% on time); the best was September (91%), averaged over Jun 2023 to May 2026.
Is this a prediction for my flight?
No. These are historical odds from the US DOT on-time reports, FAA advisories and airport weather records. Check your flight status and the FAA delay board on the day you fly.

More routes from DTW

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Live status: FAA delays and ground stops