Des Moines (DSM) to Atlanta (ATL): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Des Moines (DSM) to Atlanta (ATL) effectively runs on two schedules. In August 2024, 98% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 73% — a 25-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 87% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (89% vs 81%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 87%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 15 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.8%
- Flights/day
- 3.4
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 12m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 743 mi
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DSM to ATL
Aim for departures around 5 a.m. (91% on-time); avoid 6 p.m. departures (80%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 88% | 12 min |
| Tuesday | 88% | 11 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 89% | 16 min |
| Thursday | 89% | 9 min |
| Friday | 84% | 18 min |
| Saturday | 87% | 13 min |
| Sunday | 84% | 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 aircraft31%
- Airline operations51%
- National airspace system12%
- Weather6%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DSM to ATL delayed?
- 13% of DSM–ATL 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 15 minutes.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DSM to ATL?
- Departures around 5 a.m. have the best record (91% on-time), while departures around 6 p.m. have the worst (80%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DSM to ATL?
- The scheduled DSM–ATL flight time averages 2h 12m over 743 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 13% of the time.
- How often are DSM to ATL flights cancelled?
- 1.8% 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 DSM to ATL?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 73% of arrivals on time. The best was August 2024 at 98%. If your dates are flexible, that 25-point gap is worth planning around.
Explore related pages
More routes from DSM
Other ways to fly to Atlanta (ATL)
Related guides
Based on 2,595 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.