domestic · 3h 30m · 2,505 km
Detroit to Phoenix
4 airlines · 4 aircraft ranked
In economy, Southwest's Economy (open seating) (737-800) edges out the field with a 3.9/10.In first class, Delta's Delta First Class (737-900ER) edges out the field with a 2.8/10.
Quick pick
Fly Southwest. It has 2 more inches of legroom.
If prices are similar, go with this one.
Fly Delta. It scores higher across seat comfort and amenities.
If fares are comparable, this is the better cabin.
Select two airlines to compare head-to-head
Data verified June 2026
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Airlines on this route
Flying with family
- Seatback screens on Delta. American, Southwest, Frontier: bring your own device.
- Most legroom: Southwest (32"). Least: Frontier (28"). That 4" difference matters with kids.
Route insights
- In economy, Southwest's Economy (open seating) (737-800) edges out the field with a 3.9/10.
- In first class, Delta's Delta First Class (737-900ER) edges out the field with a 2.8/10.
Frequently asked
Which is better in first: Delta or American on DTW-PHX?
Delta First Class (Delta Air Lines, 737-900ER) and First Class (American Airlines, A321neo) score virtually the same in first: 2.8 vs 2.5/10. The biggest gap is entertainment — a 9" screen vs app_only — but neither carrier pulls ahead overall.
Which is better in economy: Delta or American on DTW-PHX?
Main Cabin (Delta Air Lines, 737-900ER) and Main Cabin (American Airlines, A321neo) score virtually the same in economy: 3.5 vs 3.7/10. The biggest gap is entertainment — a 9" screen vs app_only — but neither carrier pulls ahead overall.
Which is better in economy: Delta or Southwest on DTW-PHX?
Economy (open seating) (Southwest Airlines, 737-800) edges out Main Cabin (Delta Air Lines, 737-900ER) in economy, scoring 3.9/10 vs 3.5. The deciding factor: 32" of pitch vs 30". Delta Air Lines fights back on entertainment.
Which is better in economy: Delta or Frontier on DTW-PHX?
Main Cabin (Delta Air Lines, 737-900ER) beats Economy (Frontier Airlines, A320neo) in economy, scoring 3.5/10 vs 2.2. The deciding factor: a 9" screen vs none. Frontier Airlines fights back on seat width.
Which is better in economy: American or Southwest on DTW-PHX?
Main Cabin (American Airlines, A321neo) and Economy (open seating) (Southwest Airlines, 737-800) score virtually the same in economy: 3.7 vs 3.9/10. The biggest gap is legroom — 32" of pitch vs 30" — but neither carrier pulls ahead overall.
Which is better in economy: American or Frontier on DTW-PHX?
Main Cabin (American Airlines, A321neo) beats Economy (Frontier Airlines, A320neo) in economy, scoring 3.7/10 vs 2.2. The deciding factor: 30" of pitch vs 28".
Which is better in economy: Southwest or Frontier on DTW-PHX?
Economy (open seating) (Southwest Airlines, 737-800) beats Economy (Frontier Airlines, A320neo) in economy, scoring 3.9/10 vs 2.2. The deciding factor: 32" of pitch vs 28". Frontier Airlines fights back on seat width.
What are the best seats in Delta Delta First Class on DTW-PHX?
Best: Row 1 bulkhead has the most legroom. 1A and 1D for window-seat privacy. Avoid: Row 5 is closest to the Comfort+ cabin. B and C seats are more exposed. Pre-retrofit 737-900ER with older recliner seats. Smaller 9-inch seatback IFE screens. AC outlet and USB-A at every seat. Delta Sync free WiFi. Same meal service as other domestic First Class.
What are the best seats in Delta Main Cabin on DTW-PHX?
Best: Comfort+ rows 10-14 (27 seats) offer 33-34 inches of pitch with complimentary beer/wine/spirits. Row 10 bulkhead for the most legroom. Avoid: Last rows near rear lavatory. Middle seats (B, E) throughout. Row 37 does not recline. 27 Comfort+ seats in rows 10-14 with 33-34-inch pitch; 133 Main Cabin seats in rows 15-37 with 30-31 inches. Older slimline seats with 9-inch seatback screens. USB-A at most seats; AC outlets inconsistent — some rows have them, others do not. Delta Sync free WiFi. Some 737-900ER sub-variants (73J, 73R) may lack seatback IFE or WiFi.
What are the best seats in American First Class on DTW-PHX?
Best: Row 1A and 1L are farthest from the galley and offer the most privacy. All seats have direct aisle access in the 1-1 layout. Avoid: Row 5 is closest to the business class cabin and may experience some noise from the galley area between cabins. Only 10 suites total on this narrowbody. The 1-1 configuration is unique for a single-aisle aircraft. Sliding doors on all suites. This fleet is being phased out as the A321XLR enters service.
What are the best seats in American Main Cabin on DTW-PHX?
Best: Rows 11-16 are designated Main Cabin Extra with 35 inches of pitch. Row 11 bulkhead has the most legroom. Exit row offers additional space. Avoid: Last row (22) has limited recline and is near the rear lavatory. Middle seats (B and E) are least desirable. Half of the economy cabin (36 seats) is Main Cabin Extra with additional pitch. Seatback IFE screens with live TV in all economy seats. Only 72 economy seats total, making this a very premium-heavy narrowbody configuration. Exit row seats on the A320/A321 family offer extra legroom but do not recline. The row immediately before the exit also has limited recline due to clearance requirements.
What are the best seats in Southwest Economy (open seating) on DTW-PHX?
Best: 16A and 16F have the most legroom (no seat in front, behind exit row). Row 12 exit row seats also have extra legroom. Avoid: Last row (row 29) is narrower, restricted recline, near galley/lavatory noise. Seats 10A, 11A, 11F lack windows. Single-class cabin. Assigned seating launched Jan 2026. Extra legroom rows at front have ~34 inch pitch. Older 737-800s lack power outlets; newer retrofits have USB-A and USB-C in seatbacks. Streaming entertainment via personal devices only. Exit row seats on the 737 offer extra legroom but do not recline. The row immediately before the exit also has limited recline due to clearance requirements.
What are the best seats in Frontier Economy on DTW-PHX?
Best: Exit row seats for extra legroom without paying for Stretch. Avoid: Last row has no recline and lavatory proximity. All middle seats are uncomfortable at 28-inch pitch. 28-inch pitch ties Spirit for the tightest in the US industry. No wifi, no power outlets, no seatback screens, no streaming entertainment. Tray tables are approximately 50% smaller than standard. All food and beverages are buy-on-board. Individual air nozzles and overhead reading lights are available. Exit row seats on the A320/A321 family offer extra legroom but do not recline. The row immediately before the exit also has limited recline due to clearance requirements.