DTW
Detroit
4h 16m direct
SEA
Seattle
from $249
Cheapest one-way fare
5
Airlines on this route
1922 mi
Great-circle distance
4h 16m
Typical flight time
Compare prices on Detroit Metropolitan → Seattle →
Comparing Delta Air Lines, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines
Route summary

Cheap flights from Detroit Metropolitan to Seattle-Tacoma from $249

Updated 2026-05-27

1922 miles great-circle distance, typically flown in 4h 16m with 5 airlines operating direct service from Detroit Metropolitan (DTW) to Seattle-Tacoma (SEA). Cheapest fares are usually in Jun (around $249 return), with peak prices in Jun (around $747). Departures on a Tuesday tend to undercut weekend prices on this corridor.

About this corridor

Flying from Detroit Metropolitan

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County is Delta's principal Midwest hub. Two terminals — McNamara (Delta) and North Terminal (Spirit, AA, UA, others) — are connected airside through the post-security ExpressTram. There is no commuter rail to downtown Detroit; DDOT bus 125 runs from the airport to Rosa Parks Transit Center in around 60 minutes. International long-haul to Europe is dense (Air France, KLM, Lufthansa) and to Asia (Delta direct to Tokyo Narita) — making DTW one of the strongest secondary US gateways for transpacific travel.

Arriving in Seattle

Seattle-Tacoma is 14 miles south of downtown Seattle, with the Link Light Rail Red Line running directly from the airport station to Westlake in 38 minutes for $3.25 — possibly the simplest big-city airport transfer in the United States. Fares peak in mid-summer (June–August) and around Bumbershoot/Labor Day; January and February are the cheapest months despite winter rain.

All airlines on this route

Who flies DTW to SEA?

Airline IATA Flight time Cabin
Delta Air LinesDL4h 16mEconomy
Spirit AirlinesNK4h 16mEconomy
Southwest AirlinesWN4h 16mEconomy
American AirlinesAA4h 16mEconomy
United AirlinesUA4h 16mEconomy

5 carriers fly direct on this corridor. Frequencies vary by season — summer and winter holiday peaks see additional flights.

Price calendar — 12 months

Best time to fly DTW→SEA

Aggregated from 12 months of Travelpayouts fare data. Cheapest months in green, peak in red.

Jan
$498
Feb
$498
Mar
$498
Apr
$498
May
$498
Jun
$498
Jul
$498
Aug
$498
Sep
$498
Oct
$498
Nov
$498
Dec
$498

Source: Travelpayouts route data, refreshed every 30 days. Cheapest day-of-week typically Tuesday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Detroit to Seattle FAQs

How long is a flight from Detroit Metropolitan to Seattle? +

Direct flights from Detroit Metropolitan (DTW) to Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) take approximately 4h 16m for the 1922-mile journey, plus 30–60 minutes of taxi, climb and descent. Total airport-to-airport time depends on cruise winds and air-traffic queueing on approach.

What's the cheapest month to fly DTW–SEA? +

Jun is typically the cheapest month on this route, with one-way fares from $249. Jun is the peak — expect prices 2–3× higher. Book 4–8 weeks ahead for best fares; last-minute prices on this corridor rise sharply inside two weeks of departure.

Which airlines fly from Detroit Metropolitan to Seattle? +

5 carriers operate direct service from Detroit Metropolitan (DTW) to Seattle-Tacoma (SEA): Delta Air Lines, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and United Airlines. Frequencies vary by season and carrier — Delta Air Lines typically operates the highest weekly count on this corridor.

Do I need a visa to visit United States? +

No — United States is domestic travel for US citizens. A US passport is not required for the 50 states, DC or US territories (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands), though Real ID-compliant ID is required at TSA from May 2025.

How far is Seattle-Tacoma from Seattle downtown? +

Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) is the primary international airport for Seattle. Allow 30–60 minutes for the ground transfer by train, express bus, taxi or rideshare depending on traffic and time of day. See the airport's official website for current train and shuttle timetables.