Detroit to Los Angeles (DTW–LAX) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
DTW–LAX is served by 4 airlines with nonstop service. Delta Air Lines, Spirit Airlines and Southwest Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 1,975 miles in approximately 4h 44m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL Delta Air Lines Also: AF, AM, KE, LA, VS, WS | 40 | 32Q, 739, 753, A21N | 4h16-4h47 | SkyTeam | AF, AM, KE, LA, VS, WS | |
| NK Spirit Airlines | 7 | – | – | – | – | |
| WN Southwest Airlines | 2 | – | – | – | – | |
| UA United Airlines | 1 | 7M8 | 5h35 | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Los Angeles from Detroit
| Metric | DTW→LAX | LAN→LAX | CLE→LAX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from DTW | – | 74 mi | 95 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 4 | 3 | 11 |
| Weekly flights | 119 | – | 81 |
| Flight time | 4h 44m | 4h | 4h 29m |
| Departure OTP | 100% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
DTW: EDT · LAX: PDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Detroit, it's 3:00 PM in Los Angeles.
There is no rail link to DTW; the airport is 18 miles southwest of downtown Detroit. SMART bus Route 261 provides a slow connection ($2), but ride-share or car is standard for most travelers. Ride-shares from downtown cost $30–45.Driving is the primary mode: I-94 and I-275 are the main expressways. Economy parking is well-organized with frequent shuttles. For Windsor, Ontario arrivals, the airport connects via I-75 and the Ambassador Bridge or DRIC tunnel.
LAX has no direct rail link to downtown. The closest option is the free LAX Shuttle G to the Metro C Line station at Aviation/Century Blvd (fare $1.75 to Union Station, 40–50 min). Taxis use a meter; expect $35–55 to downtown and $30–45 to Santa Monica. Ride-shares cost $20–45 depending on destination and surge pricing.Rental car facilities are a short shuttle ride from terminals. FlyAway buses run to Union Station, Van Nuys, Hollywood, and Westwood ($9.75–11.25). For LAX Connect (the new people mover to Inglewood), check if it has opened at time of travel.
Mediterranean climate. Summers are warm and dry (24–30°C) with low humidity and almost no rain. Winters are mild (10–18°C) with occasional rain from November through March. Fog ("June Gloom") is common from late May through July, blanketing mornings until noon and causing departure delays.
Santa Ana winds occur in fall and spring, sometimes grounding departures briefly. Heat waves in September–October can push temperatures above 38°C inland, though LAX itself stays cooler near the coast.
DTW–LAX Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from DTW to LAX
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) are connected by nonstop service from Delta Air Lines, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. With 119 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
DTW to LAX Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from DTW to LAX is about 4 hours 44 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 1,975 miles (3,178 km). There are approximately 119 weekly flights outbound and 106 return, totaling 225 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Chicago Midway, Harry Reid and Denver. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Lansing (LAN), Cleveland (CLE) and Grand Rapids (GRR).