Charlotte (CLT) to Des Moines (DSM): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Charlotte (CLT) to Des Moines (DSM) effectively runs on two schedules. In November 2024, 92% of arrivals were on time; in July 2026 that fell to 49% — a 42-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 71% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (79% vs 63%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 71%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 21 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.5%
- Flights/day
- 2.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 30m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 815 mi
Best airline from CLT to DSM
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA Airlinesmost reliable | 77% | 18 min | 5.9% | 188 |
| American Airlines | 70% | 21 min | 2.1% | 1,410 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from CLT to DSM
Aim for departures around 9 a.m. (94% on-time); avoid 10 p.m. departures (54%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 66% | 27 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 76% | 14 min |
| Wednesday | 76% | 16 min |
| Thursday | 72% | 19 min |
| Friday | 70% | 25 min |
| Saturday | 72% | 14 min |
| Sunday | 65% | 30 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft45%
- Airline operations36%
- National airspace system11%
- Weather9%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from CLT to DSM delayed?
- 29% of CLT–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 21 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from CLT to DSM?
- PSA Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 77%, based on 188 flights. 2 airlines flew CLT–DSM frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from CLT to DSM?
- Departures around 9 a.m. have the best record (94% on-time), while departures around 10 p.m. have the worst (54%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from CLT to DSM?
- The scheduled CLT–DSM flight time averages 2h 30m over 815 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 29% of the time.
- How often are CLT to DSM flights cancelled?
- 2.5% 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 CLT to DSM?
- July 2026 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 49% of arrivals on time. The best was November 2024 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 42-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 1,598 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.