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November features holiday-driven events in both regions that affect flight demand. Memphis hosts early holiday lighting ceremonies, live music showcases and university football-related travel; nearby cities like Nashville and New Orleans draw visitors as well. In Detroit, November includes cultural festivals, early holiday markets and sports events (NFL, NHL) that increase arrivals at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). Expect higher fares and fuller flights around major event dates, especially weekends and the Thanksgiving timeframe.
For November travel, the best time to fly MEM to DTW is midweek (Tuesday–Thursday) outside the immediate Thanksgiving window for lower fares and fewer crowds. Early-morning flights are less likely to be delayed by cascading weather issues, while late-night flights may be cheaper but come with higher risk of cancellations stacking into the next day. If traveling around Thanksgiving, book 3–8 weeks in advance and consider flying the Monday before or the Sunday after to reduce fares and avoid the busiest travel days.
Nonstop flights between Memphis International Airport (MEM) and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) offer the fastest travel time (about 2 hours) and lower risk of missed connections, making them ideal for short November trips. Connecting flights often save money but add layover time and potential exposure to weather-related delays at hubs like Atlanta (ATL), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) or Chicago O'Hare (ORD). For Thanksgiving travel, a nonstop provides reliability; if savings are substantial, allow extended connection buffers when booking connecting itineraries.
Major carriers that may serve the MEM→DTW market include Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and occasionally Southwest or other regional partners offering connecting service. Delta often operates through Atlanta (ATL) with reliable frequencies; American frequently routes through Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) or Charlotte (CLT), and Southwest provides value-focused itineraries via connecting cities. Evaluate total travel time, baggage fees and change/cancellation policies when comparing November options to find the best balance of price and convenience.
Pack layered clothing for November: lightweight warm layers for MEM departures and heavier outerwear for arrival at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). Allow extra connection time for de-icing or fog-related delays, and keep travel documents handy for cross-border or multi-city itineraries to Windsor (All Airports) or Toronto. Use mobile boarding passes, sign up for airline flight alerts, and reserve parking or pre-book rideshares to reduce stress during busy holiday periods.
Estimated nonstop flight time between Memphis International Airport (MEM) and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is approximately 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours. One-stop itineraries through hubs like Atlanta (ATL), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) or Chicago O'Hare (ORD) add 1–3 hours of layover time depending on the connection. Schedules in November are denser on peak travel days (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Sundays) around holidays. For dependable connections, allow at least 90 minutes for domestic-to-domestic changes and more during Thanksgiving when delays are more common.
To secure cheap MEM to DTW flights in November, start with flexible-date searches and set price alerts on platforms like Google Flights and Kayak. Consider flying midweek, selecting connecting itineraries through hubs (ATL, DFW, ORD) and checking fares from nearby airports such as Nashville (BNA) or Little Rock (LIT). Use airline newsletters and mileage redemptions; compare total trip time vs. savings to choose the best option. During Thanksgiving week, book earlier and consider red-eye flights for lower prices.