{
  "response": {
    "Key": "HOU-DTW",
    "orig": {
      "code": "HOU",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Houston",
      "fullCity": "Houston, Texas",
      "airport": "William P Hobby Airport"
    },
    "dest": {
      "code": "DTW",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Detroit",
      "fullCity": "Detroit, Michigan",
      "airport": "Detroit Metro Airport"
    },
    "faq": {
      "q0": {
        "question": "What is the typical flight duration from Houston to Detroit?",
        "answer": "The flight distance from Houston Hobby to Detroit is about 1,090 miles. No nonstop service is scheduled on this route, so a connection is required; typical total travel time with one stop is approximately 4 to 6 hours.",
        "methodology": "Flight times and distances come from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). The typical flight time is the median scheduled block time across all carriers on the route, computed the same way in both directions so the difference reflects prevailing winds rather than any change in method. Distance is the great-circle distance between the two airports, so the actual flown track is typically 2-5% longer.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "flight_schedule"
        ]
      },
      "q1": {
        "question": "Are there any direct flights from Houston to Detroit?",
        "answer": "There are no nonstop flights from Houston Hobby (HOU) to Detroit (DTW). The shortest one-stop options typically connect through Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) on American or Chicago O'Hare (ORD) on United, with total travel times around 4 to 5 hours including the layover. Southwest also offers several one-stop routings through cities like Nashville, Midway, and Denver.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q3": {
        "question": "What are the ground transportation options in Detroit?",
        "answer": "From Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) to downtown Detroit, the Detroit Air Xpress (DAX) bus is the fastest and most-used public transit, running daily 3:30 a.m.–11 p.m. for $6–$8 with Wi‑Fi and charging ports. SMART buses (routes 125, 261, 280) also serve downtown and suburbs at lower frequencies. Taxis, ride‑share (Uber/Lyft), and rental cars are readily available at both terminals; a taxi or ride‑share takes about 20–25 minutes to the city center. The Michigan Flyer and AirRide coaches connect to Ann Arbor and East Lansing, not downtown Detroit. For most travelers, DAX offers the best balance of speed, cost, and convenience.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://metroairport.com/dtw/other-ground-transportation/public-transportation",
            "title": "Public Transportation | Wayne County Airport Authority",
            "favicon": "https://metroairport.com/themes/custom/wcaa/images/favicons/apple-touch-icon.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://metroairport.com/about-dtw",
            "title": "About DTW | Wayne County Airport Authority",
            "favicon": "https://metroairport.com/themes/custom/wcaa/images/favicons/apple-touch-icon.png",
            "time_published": "2026-04-13T12:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/ntap_feb_18/EC10000.html",
            "title": "Michigan. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) Standard Taxi Routes",
            "time_published": "2018-02-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit%20Metropolitan%20Airport",
            "title": "Detroit Metropolitan Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-30T20:15:38Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/ntap_aug_18/EC10000.html",
            "title": "Michigan. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) Standard Taxi Routes"
          }
        ],
        "methodology": "Airport details are drawn from the sources listed with this answer, primarily the airport operator's official website along with airline, lounge-operator and transit-authority pages, collected by our research process and refreshed periodically. Only information found in those sources is used; where a source does not cover a topic it is left out rather than guessed."
      },
      "q4": {
        "question": "When is the cheapest time to fly from Houston to Detroit?",
        "answer": "Average fares from Houston to Detroit bottom out around $209 in early February, the cheapest stretch of the year. The cheapest months overall are February (averaging $211), January ($234), and September ($239), while the most expensive period is late June, when fares average $309.",
        "methodology": "Seasonal fares come from Priceline's own air booking-summary archive, analysed in-house and refreshed monthly. For each day of the year we take a representative round-trip fare, a blend of the 25th-percentile and average ticket price over the route's bookings, and smooth the series into a seasonal curve; the half-month low and high and the monthly figures quoted here are averages of that curve. Thin and international routes borrow their seasonal shape from the nearest busy routes, with the price level anchored to the route's own bookings.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "seasonal_prices"
        ]
      },
      "q5": {
        "question": "How far in advance should I book tickets from Houston to Detroit?",
        "answer": "For Houston (HOU) to Detroit (DTW), the optimal booking window is roughly 4-6 weeks before departure, with average fares around $173. The absolute cheapest fares appear about 30 days out, averaging $168, while booking 6 months ahead costs nearly twice as much at $305. Summer and holiday periods likely require booking earlier, as last-minute fares spike sharply.",
        "methodology": "Booking-window guidance comes from the same monthly in-house analysis of Priceline's own air booking-summary archive. We aggregate the route's bookings by how many days before departure they were made, from about 180 days out to the day of travel, smooth the curve, and highlight the stretch of lead times with the lowest average fare. Thin and international routes borrow the curve shape from the nearest busy routes, anchored to the route's own price level. It reflects current fares and is refreshed monthly.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "booking_timing"
        ]
      },
      "q6": {
        "question": "Are overnight (red‑eye) flights available from Houston to Detroit?",
        "answer": "No nonstop red‑eyes operate from Houston Hobby to Detroit, but a connecting overnight itinerary is available via Las Vegas on Frontier: the long leg departs Las Vegas at 11:17 PM and arrives in Detroit at 6:20 AM the next morning, with a roughly two‑hour layover in Las Vegas after the short hop from Houston.",
        "methodology": "Red-eye flights are identified from scheduled local departure and arrival times in our flight-schedule database — built from published airline timetables and official schedule data, including U.S. Department of Transportation records for domestic routes — flagging services that depart late at night and arrive the following morning; for connecting itineraries the red-eye is based on the timing of the overnight long-haul leg.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "redeye_flights"
        ]
      },
      "q7": {
        "question": "Which airlines usually operate this route from Houston to Detroit?",
        "answer": "There are no nonstop flights from Houston Hobby to Detroit. Most itineraries connect, with American Airlines via Dallas/Fort Worth or Charlotte, United via Chicago O'Hare, and Southwest via Nashville or Chicago Midway being the most common one‑stop patterns on a representative day. Other connecting options appear less frequently, including Frontier through Atlanta or Denver and JetBlue via Fort Lauderdale. No per‑carrier median fares are provided for this route.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies come from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a typical fare is shown for a carrier, it is the median of the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q8": {
        "question": "If I need a connection, what are common layover cities between Houston and Detroit?",
        "answer": "Common layover cities include Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, and Dallas/Fort Worth. These hubs offer frequent flights, efficient connections, and help keep total travel time competitive on this domestic route."
      },
      "q10": {
        "question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to Detroit?",
        "answer": "May, June, September, and early October offer pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists than peak summer."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Houston to Detroit?",
        "answer": "For domestic flights within the U.S., bring a Real ID or passport, ensure the name matches your ticket, and carry a payment method for baggage and any required health documents."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in Detroit?",
        "answer": "Detroit Metro Airport is the only commercial airport serving the city. It is located about 20 miles southwest of downtown Detroit and is a major hub for Delta Air Lines."
      },
      "q13": {
        "question": "How do I get to William P Hobby Airport from the city center?",
        "answer": "From downtown Houston, you can reach William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) via public bus route 40 from the METRO system, which is an affordable option but takes longer. Ride-share services like Uber and Lyft, taxis, and private shuttles offer door-to-door convenience and are the most popular choices, with ride-share typically being the fastest and most convenient. If you drive yourself, on-site parking is available, including terminal parking that can be reserved online for a discount.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://fly2houston.com/hou/ground-transportation",
            "title": "HOU Ground Transportation | Airport Shuttle, Taxi, Uber, Lyft & Rent Car Houston"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://fly2houston.com/hou",
            "title": "HOU Houston Airport | William P. Hobby",
            "time_published": "2026-06-09T05:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_P._Hobby_Airport",
            "title": "William P. Hobby Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-07-06T09:58:05Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William%20P.%20Hobby%20Airport",
            "title": "William P. Hobby Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-21T04:20:29Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://faa.gov/flight_deck/hef",
            "title": "Manassas Regional Airport/Harry P. Davis Field (HEF) | Federal Aviation Administration",
            "time_published": "2026-03-10T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ],
        "methodology": "Airport details are drawn from the sources listed with this answer, primarily the airport operator's official website along with airline, lounge-operator and transit-authority pages, collected by our research process and refreshed periodically. Only information found in those sources is used; where a source does not cover a topic it is left out rather than guessed."
      },
      "q14": {
        "question": "Are there hotels or sleeping facilities at Detroit airport?",
        "answer": "Detroit Airport (DTW) has a hotel directly connected to the McNamara Terminal, offering the most convenient on-site option. There are no capsule hotels or sleeping pods inside the terminals, but several nearby hotels like the Fairfield Inn and Detroit Metro Airport Marriott provide complimentary 24-hour shuttle service. For a quieter rest, the Evans Terminal near Gate D17 has cushioned chairs and is less crowded.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "http://www.sleepinginairports.net/usa/detroit.htm",
            "title": "Detroit Airport Guide (DTW) - Sleeping in Airports",
            "time_published": "2026-01-15T15:13:03Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.sleepinginairports.net/guides/detroit-airport-guide.htm",
            "title": "Detroit Airport Guide (DTW) - Sleeping in Airports",
            "time_published": "2018-08-03T10:05:14Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dtwfr-fairfield-inn-and-suites-detroit-metro-airport-romulus/overview/",
            "title": "Detroit Airport Hotel | Fairfield Detroit Metro Airport Romulus",
            "time_published": "2025-02-19T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.marriott.com/es/en-us/hotels/dtwrm-detroit-metro-airport-marriott/overview/",
            "title": "Detroit Metro Airport Marriott - Hotel in Romulus Near DTW Airport",
            "time_published": "2025-02-19T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit%20Metropolitan%20Airport",
            "title": "Detroit Metropolitan Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-30T20:15:38Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dtwrm-detroit-metro-airport-marriott/overview/",
            "title": "Detroit Metro Airport Marriott - Hotel in Romulus Near DTW Airport",
            "time_published": "2023-08-11T00:00:00Z"
          }
        ],
        "methodology": "Airport details are drawn from the sources listed with this answer, primarily the airport operator's official website along with airline, lounge-operator and transit-authority pages, collected by our research process and refreshed periodically. Only information found in those sources is used; where a source does not cover a topic it is left out rather than guessed."
      },
      "q15": {
        "question": "Are there currency exchange offices, prayer rooms and Wi‑Fi at Detroit Metro Airport?",
        "answer": "Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) offers currency exchange services through Travelex kiosks located in both the McNamara Terminal (near Gate A36 and in the Baggage Claim area) and the Evans Terminal (near the central link and Baggage Claim). A prayer and meditation room is available in the McNamara Terminal near Gate A43, providing a quiet space for reflection. Free Wi‑Fi is accessible throughout the airport by connecting to the “DTW Free WiFi” network.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://metroairport.com/at-dtw/services-amenities",
            "title": "Services & Amenities | Wayne County Airport Authority",
            "favicon": "https://metroairport.com/themes/custom/wcaa/images/favicons/apple-touch-icon.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://metroairport.com/about-us/dtw-news/detroit-metropolitan-airport-offers-helpful-holiday-travel-tips",
            "title": "Detroit Metropolitan Airport offers helpful holiday travel tips | Wayne County Airport Authority",
            "time_published": "2019-11-25T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit%20Metropolitan%20Airport",
            "title": "Detroit Metropolitan Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-30T20:15:38Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/ntap_feb_18/EC10000.html",
            "title": "Michigan. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) Standard Taxi Routes",
            "time_published": "2018-02-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/ntap_aug_18/EC10000.html",
            "title": "Michigan. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) Standard Taxi Routes"
          }
        ],
        "methodology": "Airport details are drawn from the sources listed with this answer, primarily the airport operator's official website along with airline, lounge-operator and transit-authority pages, collected by our research process and refreshed periodically. Only information found in those sources is used; where a source does not cover a topic it is left out rather than guessed."
      },
      "q16": {
        "question": "Are there accessible services or children's facilities at the Houston and Detroit airports?",
        "answer": "At Houston Hobby (HOU), wheelchair assistance is arranged through your airline—request it at least 48 hours in advance—and the airport provides accessible shuttles, ADA-compliant restrooms, companion care facilities (near Gate 45), tactile signage, and service animal relief areas; TSA Cares can assist with security screening if contacted 72 hours ahead. Detroit Metro (DTW) similarly requires contacting your airline for wheelchair service, and offers braille signage, hearing loops, family restrooms, accessible parking, and a sensory-friendly tunnel with a pause button; TSA Cares is also available for security support. Both airports have accessible shuttles and elevators, but neither operates dedicated children’s play areas—family restrooms are the primary child-friendly facility at each.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://fly2houston.com/hou/related-content/airport-assistance-disabled-travelers",
            "title": "What does airport assistance for disabled travelers include?",
            "time_published": "2026-01-23T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://fly2houston.com/hou",
            "title": "HOU Houston Airport | William P. Hobby",
            "time_published": "2026-06-09T05:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_P._Hobby_Airport",
            "title": "William P. Hobby Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-07-06T09:58:05Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William%20P.%20Hobby%20Airport",
            "title": "William P. Hobby Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-21T04:20:29Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "http://faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/procedures/application/index.cfm?directory=2016122829046305004-HOU-NDBR&event=directory&nasrId=HOU&type=ndbr",
            "title": "Airport Procedures Information Gateway",
            "time_published": "2025-12-03T16:08:12Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://metroairport.com/at-dtw/getting-around/accessibility-additional-assistance",
            "title": "Accessibility & Additional Assistance | Wayne County Airport Authority",
            "favicon": "https://metroairport.com/themes/custom/wcaa/images/favicons/apple-touch-icon.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://metroairport.com/about-us/contact-us",
            "title": "Contact Us | Wayne County Airport Authority",
            "favicon": "https://metroairport.com/themes/custom/wcaa/images/favicons/apple-touch-icon.png"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/ntap_feb_18/EC10000.html",
            "title": "Michigan. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) Standard Taxi Routes",
            "time_published": "2018-02-01T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/ntap_aug_18/EC10000.html",
            "title": "Michigan. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) Standard Taxi Routes"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit%20Metropolitan%20Airport",
            "title": "Detroit Metropolitan Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-04-30T20:15:38Z"
          }
        ],
        "methodology": "Airport details are drawn from the sources listed with this answer, primarily the airport operator's official website along with airline, lounge-operator and transit-authority pages, collected by our research process and refreshed periodically. Only information found in those sources is used; where a source does not cover a topic it is left out rather than guessed."
      },
      "q17": {
        "question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Houston to Detroit?",
        "answer": "On nonstop flights from Houston Hobby to Detroit, United Airlines fields the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and the Embraer 175, while Frontier's aircraft type isn't specified in the schedule data. Connecting itineraries most often use Boeing 737-800s or 737 MAX 8s through hubs like Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago O'Hare, or Denver on American, United, and Southwest. The exact aircraft can vary by day and airline, and Wi‑Fi and seatback entertainment are widely available across these carriers.",
        "methodology": "Aircraft types are taken from the equipment each operating carrier schedules on this route, drawn from published airline timetables and airline equipment schedules in our flight-schedule database. They describe typical scheduled aircraft and can vary with seasonal or day-of-week assignments and last-minute equipment swaps.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_aircraft"
        ]
      },
      "q18": {
        "question": "Which airline alliances serve flights from Houston to Detroit?",
        "answer": "The alliances on connecting itineraries from Houston (HOU) to Detroit (DTW) are oneworld via American Airlines and Star Alliance via United Airlines. Southwest, Frontier, and JetBlue also serve the route but belong to no alliance.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q20": {
        "question": "What are the best airport lounge options when departing from Houston?",
        "answer": "William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) does not have traditional airline-branded lounges like a Delta Sky Club or United Club, but it does offer a Priority Pass-accessible XpresSpa (XWELL) near Gate 45 in the Central Concourse. This facility provides 25-minute sessions in massage chairs or loungers in lieu of a standard lounge visit for eligible Priority Pass cardholders. There is also a game lounge and a spa in the terminal, though these are not conventional airline lounges.",
        "toolsUsed": [],
        "references": [
          {
            "url": "https://fly2houston.com/hou/related-content/hou-tips-for-first-time-travelers",
            "title": "Navigating William P. Hobby Airport (HOU): Tips for First-Time Travelers",
            "time_published": "2026-01-23T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.prioritypass.com/pt-PT/lounges/usa/houston-tx-william-p-hobby/hou2s-xpresspa",
            "title": "XWELL HOU AIRPORT Houston TX William P. Hobby | Priority Pass",
            "time_published": "2024-11-05T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_P._Hobby_Airport",
            "title": "William P. Hobby Airport",
            "time_published": "2026-07-06T09:58:05Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/united-states-of-america/william-p-hobby",
            "title": "William P. Hobby Airport HOU Lounges - HOU Airport Guide and lounges.  | Priority Pass",
            "time_published": "2024-11-05T00:00:00Z"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://fly2houston.com/hou",
            "title": "HOU Houston Airport | William P. Hobby",
            "time_published": "2026-06-09T05:00:00Z"
          }
        ],
        "methodology": "Airport details are drawn from the sources listed with this answer, primarily the airport operator's official website along with airline, lounge-operator and transit-authority pages, collected by our research process and refreshed periodically. Only information found in those sources is used; where a source does not cover a topic it is left out rather than guessed."
      },
      "q21": {
        "question": "What is the baggage allowance on this route from Houston to Detroit?",
        "answer": "Baggage allowance on Houston–Detroit flights depends on the airline and fare class. Basic economy tickets are the most restrictive and may not include a checked bag, while standard economy often includes a carry-on but may still charge for checked luggage. Premium cabins and higher fare tiers typically include both a carry-on and one or two checked bags."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Houston to Detroit?",
        "answer": "On flights from Houston to Detroit, you typically find Economy and standard domestic First Class with recliner seats. Flat-bed Business and Premium Economy are not common on this route."
      },
      "q23": {
        "question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?",
        "answer": "Policies differ by airline and fare; flexible and premium tickets usually allow same‑day changes or standby, while Basic Economy generally does not."
      }
    }
  }
}