73% of flights from Rochester to Detroit 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 89% of the time; the 5 p.m. ones 60%. 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 ROC → DTW: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 37% of the time. About 1 in 8 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 29 three hours or more; 2.2% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early73%
- 15–30 min late5.2%
- 30–60 min late7.1%
- 1–2 hours late6.5%
- 2–3 hours late2.3%
- 3+ hours late3.4%
- Diverted0.1%
- Cancelled2.2%
Share of all 1,318 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 | 1,318 | 73% | 2.2% | −6 min | 12.2% | +99 min | Endeavor Air 65%, SkyWest 24%, Delta Air Lines 11%, Republic Airways 0% |
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 ROC). Delays build through the day as late planes knock on, so early flights usually do best.
Last flight of the day
On ROC → DTW, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 2.5% of the time, against 2.1% for its earlier flights, about the same. It arrived 3+ hours late 3.8% of the time (earlier flights: 3.3%). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | 5:48 p.m. | 2.5% | 3.8% | 2.1% | first flight 6:16 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.
By month
Each calendar month pooled over 2023–2026. Best: October (91%). Worst: January (63%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 197 | 71% | 2.5% |
| Tuesday | 193 | 74% | 4.7% |
| Wednesday | 193 | 78% | 1.6% |
| Thursday | 192 | 72% | 0.5% |
| Friday | 192 | 76% | 2.1% |
| Saturday | 157 | 76% | 1.9% |
| Sunday | 194 | 67% | 2.1% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: air traffic/airport 14 · airline 8 · weather 7
Month by month
Worst days in the past year
| Date | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 10, 2026 | 4 | 0% | 0 |
| Nov 9, 2025 | 4 | 0% | 1 |
| Apr 7, 2026 | 4 | 0% | 0 |
| Aug 13, 2026 | 4 | 0% | 0 |
| Nov 30, 2025 | 4 | 0% | 0 |
Nearby airport alternatives
Other ways to make the same trip, using airports within 60 miles of Rochester or Detroit. BUF → DTW has been 6 points more reliable.
| Route | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROC → DTW (this route) | 1,318 | 73% | 2.2% |
| BUF → DTW Buffalo Niagara to Detroit Metro | 1,538 | 80% | 1.8% |
Questions
How often are flights from ROC to DTW on time?
73% of 1,318 scheduled flights from Rochester, NY to Detroit, MI arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 2.2% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly ROC to DTW?
Flights scheduled to leave at 10 a.m. were the most reliable (89% on time). The 5 p.m. departures were the least (60%).
What month has the most delays from ROC to DTW?
January (63% on time). The best month is October (91%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from ROC to DTW more likely to be cancelled?
Not much. Each airline's last ROC–DTW flight of the day was cancelled 2.5% of the time over the past year, against 2.1% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- DTW → ROC (return)
- Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester (ROC) delays by hour
- Flights into Detroit Metro (DTW)
- 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.