Atlanta (ATL) to Des Moines (DSM): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Atlanta (ATL) to Des Moines (DSM) effectively runs on two schedules. In November 2024, 92% of arrivals were on time; in June 2025 that fell to 66% — a 26-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 83% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (88% vs 79%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 83%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 12 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.9%
- Flights/day
- 3.4
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 12m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 743 mi
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from ATL to DSM
Aim for departures around 12 p.m. (90% on-time); avoid 4 p.m. departures (76%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 81% | 12 min |
| Tuesday | 84% | 10 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 89% | 9 min |
| Thursday | 83% | 14 min |
| Friday | 81% | 12 min |
| Saturday | 85% | 7 min |
| Sunday | 79% | 15 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft29%
- Airline operations51%
- National airspace system13%
- Weather8%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from ATL to DSM delayed?
- 17% of ATL–DSM flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-07 and 2026-07. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 12 minutes.
- What is the best time of day to fly from ATL to DSM?
- Departures around 12 p.m. have the best record (90% on-time), while departures around 4 p.m. have the worst (76%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from ATL to DSM?
- The scheduled ATL–DSM flight time averages 2h 12m over 743 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 17% of the time.
- How often are ATL to DSM flights cancelled?
- 1.9% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, slightly above the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from ATL to DSM?
- June 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 66% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 26-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,594 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.