How to find cheap flights to Detroit?

Scoring affordable airfare to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is easier when you know how airlines price routes into this major Midwest hub. Detroit benefits from heavy competition between Delta, Spirit, and United, along with strong domestic traffic from cities across the country. With flexible dates, the right booking window, and a few smart tactics, travelers regularly find roundtrip fares as low as $68–$138. Below is a complete guide covering flight deals, airport tips, hacks, booking strategies, nonstop routes, and everything you need to secure the lowest possible fare into DTW.


✈️ Best Flight Deals to Detroit (DTW)

These are real domestic deal examples frequently seen on Google Flights, Skyscanner, and KAYAK:

  • 🛫 Chicago (ORD → DTW): from $68 roundtrip
  • 🛫 Charlotte (CLT → DTW): from $84 roundtrip
  • 🛫 Nashville (BNA → DTW): from $102 roundtrip
  • 🛫 Atlanta (ATL → DTW): from $118 roundtrip
  • 🛫 Dallas (DFW → DTW): from $138 roundtrip

Ultra-low-cost carriers like Spirit also create frequent price drops, especially during off-peak months.


⚡ Airline Hacks

  • ⚡ Fly Tuesdays and Wednesdays when Detroit sees the steepest domestic dips.
  • ⚡ Compare Delta vs. Spirit—DTW is a Delta stronghold, so competition drives deals.
  • ⚡ Use Google Flights’ “Date Grid” to catch 24–48 hour price swings.
  • ⚡ Book two one-way fares if mixing airlines reduces your total cost.
  • ⚡ Consider Flint (FNT) and Toledo (TOL) as backup airports for surprise savings.

🛫 Detroit Airport Guide (DTW)

Detroit Metropolitan Airport is one of the best-designed hubs in the U.S., offering smooth connections and quick navigation:

  • 🧭 Main carrier: Delta (major Midwest hub)
  • 🚗 Located 25 minutes from Downtown Detroit
  • 🚄 Easy terminal transport via the ExpressTram
  • ☕ Strong dining lineup in the McNamara Terminal
  • 🔌 Abundant charging stations throughout concourses

💳 Credit Card Travel Tips

  • 💳 Delta credit cards offer free checked bags—useful for DTW flights.
  • 💳 Redemption values on Delta SkyMiles can be strong on off-peak domestic routes.
  • 💳 Chase and Amex travel portals often provide bonus point multipliers.
  • 💳 Premium travel cards add valuable trip delay and baggage protections.

⏱️ Last-Minute Flights

Last-minute travel to Detroit can still be affordable when you know where to look:

  • ⏱️ Delta releases occasional late-weekend and same-day fare drops.
  • ⏱️ Spirit often has next-day pricing under $120.
  • ⏱️ Morning flights tend to be cheaper than afternoon departures.

Typical last-minute fares fall between $142–$228 roundtrip.


🛡️ Travel Insurance

  • 🛡️ Detroit weather swings—especially winter storms—make coverage worthwhile.
  • 🛡️ Compare plans on SquareMouth or InsureMyTrip.
  • 🛡️ Many travel credit cards already include trip delay and baggage protection.

🎒 Baggage Fees

  • 🎒 Delta, United, and American: $30–$35 first checked bag
  • 🎒 Spirit: carry-on often $45–$59
  • 🎒 Many airline cards waive checked-bag fees on eligible fares

Check fare class carefully—Basic Economy varies significantly by airline.


📅 Best Times to Book

  • 📅 Best booking window: 30–60 days out
  • 📅 Cheapest travel days: Wednesday and Saturday
  • 📅 Avoid peak times: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and mid-summer

🗓️ Best Time to Book Flights to DTW

The best value periods for Detroit airfare typically fall into these windows:

  • Late January – Early March
  • Mid-September – Late October

🔖 Cheapest Month to Fly to DTW

February is often the cheapest month to fly to Detroit, with many domestic routes falling between $68–$98 roundtrip.


🚀 Nonstop Flights – Airlines & Prices

Detroit offers a wide range of domestic nonstop options. Here are sample price points:

  • 🛫 Chicago (ORD → DTW) – United from $68
  • 🛫 Atlanta (ATL → DTW) – Delta from $118
  • 🛫 New York (LGA → DTW) – Delta from $132
  • 🛫 Dallas (DFW → DTW) – American from $138
  • 🛫 Charlotte (CLT → DTW) – American from $84

💡 Tip

Set fare alerts for DTW, FNT, and TOL simultaneously. When one airport drops, the others often follow—giving you a short window to grab the absolute lowest price.