Des Moines (DSM) to Charlotte (CLT): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Des Moines (DSM) to Charlotte (CLT) effectively runs on two schedules. In May 2026, 92% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 54% — a 37-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 81% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (86% vs 69%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 81%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 25 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 2.6%
- Flights/day
- 2.2
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 24m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 815 mi
Best airline from DSM to CLT
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA Airlinesmost reliable | 84% | 16 min | 5.3% | 188 |
| American Airlines | 80% | 26 min | 2.2% | 1,411 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DSM to CLT
Aim for departures around 8 a.m. (94% on-time); avoid 4 p.m. departures (66%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 77% | 28 min |
| Tuesday | 82% | 18 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 84% | 36 min |
| Thursday | 80% | 34 min |
| Friday | 80% | 17 min |
| Saturday | 78% | 28 min |
| Sunday | 82% | 14 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft33%
- Airline operations50%
- National airspace system8%
- Weather9%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DSM to CLT delayed?
- 19% of DSM–CLT 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 25 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DSM to CLT?
- PSA Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 84%, based on 188 flights. 2 airlines flew DSM–CLT frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DSM to CLT?
- Departures around 8 a.m. have the best record (94% on-time), while departures around 4 p.m. have the worst (66%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DSM to CLT?
- The scheduled DSM–CLT flight time averages 2h 24m over 815 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 19% of the time.
- How often are DSM to CLT flights cancelled?
- 2.6% 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 CLT?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 54% of arrivals on time. The best was May 2026 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 37-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 1,599 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.