Des Moines (DSM) to Washington (DCA): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Des Moines (DSM) to Washington (DCA) has an unusually high scrub rate — 5.6% of scheduled departures never left the gate, a cancellation rate several times the national figure. When flights do go, 77% land on time, below the national average of 78%. Envoy Air has been the safer pick, arriving on time 86% of the time.
- On-time
- 77%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 21 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 5.6%
- Flights/day
- 1.9
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 29m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 897 mi
Best airline from DSM to DCA
3 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Envoy Airmost reliable | 86% | 9 min | 3.7% | 135 |
| PSA Airlines | 77% | 25 min | 6.2% | 920 |
| Republic Airways | 74% | 16 min | 4.7% | 402 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DSM to DCA
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (86% on-time); avoid 2 p.m. departures (59%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 78% | 29 min |
| Tuesday | 76% | 21 min |
| Wednesday | 75% | 18 min |
| Thursday | 79% | 18 min |
| Friday | 73% | 21 min |
| Saturday | 77% | 21 min |
| Sundaybest | 79% | 20 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft34%
- Airline operations31%
- National airspace system20%
- Weather16%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DSM to DCA delayed?
- 23% of DSM–DCA 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 DSM to DCA?
- Envoy Air has the best on-time record on this route at 86%, based on 135 flights. 3 airlines flew DSM–DCA frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DSM to DCA?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (86% on-time), while departures around 2 p.m. have the worst (59%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DSM to DCA?
- The scheduled DSM–DCA flight time averages 2h 29m over 897 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 23% of the time.
- How often are DSM to DCA flights cancelled?
- 5.6% 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 DSM to DCA?
- February 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 55% of arrivals on time. The best was April 2025 at 90%. If your dates are flexible, that 36-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 1,458 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.