Washington (DCA) to Des Moines (DSM): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Delays are only half the story on DCA–DSM: 5.8% of its scheduled flights were outright cancelled, well above the US norm, so a backup plan matters more here than on most routes. When flights do go, 72% land on time, below the national average of 78%.
- On-time
- 72%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 23 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 5.8%
- Flights/day
- 1.9
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 50m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 897 mi
Best airline from DCA to DSM
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Envoy Airmost reliable | 78% | 14 min | 3.0% | 134 |
| PSA Airlines | 72% | 24 min | 7.2% | 921 |
| Republic Airways | 71% | 22 min | 3.7% | 401 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DCA to DSM
Aim for departures around 10 a.m. (81% on-time); avoid 9 p.m. departures (46%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 73% | 25 min |
| Tuesday | 76% | 19 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 76% | 18 min |
| Thursday | 68% | 24 min |
| Friday | 69% | 31 min |
| Saturday | 75% | 18 min |
| Sunday | 70% | 24 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft50%
- Airline operations29%
- National airspace system13%
- Weather8%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DCA to DSM delayed?
- 28% of DCA–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 23 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DCA to DSM?
- Envoy Air has the best on-time record on this route at 78%, based on 134 flights. 3 airlines flew DCA–DSM frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DCA to DSM?
- Departures around 10 a.m. have the best record (81% on-time), while departures around 9 p.m. have the worst (46%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DCA to DSM?
- The scheduled DCA–DSM flight time averages 2h 50m over 897 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 28% of the time.
- How often are DCA to DSM flights cancelled?
- 5.8% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07 — several times the typical US rate, so consider earlier departures or backup options.
- What is the worst month to fly from DCA to DSM?
- February 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 40% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 85%. If your dates are flexible, that 46-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 1,457 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.