Los Angeles to Detroit (LAX–DTW) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
LAX–DTW is served by 4 airlines with nonstop service. Delta Air Lines, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 1,975 miles in approximately 4h 16m. Beyond nonstop, 113 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL Delta Air Lines Also: AF, AM, KL, LA, VS | 49 | 32Q, 739, A21N | 4h16-4h26 | SkyTeam | AF, AM, KL, LA, VS | |
| NK Spirit Airlines | 3 | – | – | – | – | |
| UA United Airlines | 1 | 753 | 4h30 | Star Alliance | – | |
| KII KII | 0 | – | – | – | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Detroit from Los Angeles
| Metric | LAX→DTW | SNA→DTW | SAN→DTW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from LAX | – | 36 mi | 109 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Weekly flights | 115 | 12 | 55 |
| Flight time | 4h 16m | 4h 18m | 4h 15m |
| Departure OTP | 78% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
LAX: PDT · DTW: EDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Los Angeles, it's 9:00 PM in Detroit.
FlyAway bus runs from Van Nuys and Union Station ($9.75, 30–50 min depending on traffic). LA Metro C Line connects to Aviation/LAX station; a free shuttle covers the last mile to terminals. Ride-shares cost $20–50 from downtown. Long-term parking lots A/B are walkable; remote Lot E requires a shuttle.
DTW has no rail. Ride-shares and taxis are the practical options. Taxis to downtown cost $45–60. Ride-shares run $30–45. The two terminals (McNamara and North) are connected by the automated people mover (MTC); both share the same baggage claim and ground transport facilities.Car rental desks are in the consolidated facility accessible from McNamara Terminal. SMART bus Route 261 serves the airport with transfers into the bus network. Allow extra time for I-94 congestion during peak hours.
Humid continental climate. Winters are cold and snowy (−8 to 0°C) from December through March. Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair generate significant lake-effect snow that can fall heavily with little warning. Ice storms and blizzards cause the most serious flight disruptions.
Summers are warm and humid (26–32°C) with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Spring and fall are transitional with frost risk into April and from October. January and February are the highest disruption-risk months.
LAX–DTW Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from LAX to DTW
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) are connected by nonstop service from Delta Air Lines, KII, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines. With 115 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
LAX to DTW Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from LAX to DTW ranges from 4 hours 16 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes. The route covers a distance of 1,975 miles (3,178 km). There are approximately 115 weekly flights outbound and 120 return, totaling 235 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
113 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 4 hours via CMI. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Santa Ana (SNA), San Diego (SAN) and Palm Springs (PSP).