Des Moines (DSM) to Detroit (DTW): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Des Moines (DSM) to Detroit (DTW) is a thinner route than most in this dataset — 16 departures over the past year, roughly 1 a week — so treat these numbers as indicative rather than definitive. Of the flights that did operate, 88% arrived on time, comfortably above the national average of 78%.
- On-time
- 88%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 11 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.4%
- Flights/day
- 0.04
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 49m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 534 mi
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DSM to DTW
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (95% on-time); avoid 5 p.m. departures (82%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Mondaybest | 94% | 4 min |
| Tuesday | 86% | 13 min |
| Wednesday | 94% | 4 min |
| Thursday | 80% | 17 min |
| Friday | 82% | 18 min |
| Saturday | 91% | 9 min |
| Sunday | 88% | 10 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft39%
- Airline operations47%
- National airspace system9%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DSM to DTW delayed?
- 12% of DSM–DTW flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-06 and 2026-05. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 11 minutes.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DSM to DTW?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (95% on-time), while departures around 5 p.m. have the worst (82%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DSM to DTW?
- The scheduled DSM–DTW flight time averages 1h 49m over 534 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 12% of the time.
- How often are DSM to DTW flights cancelled?
- 1.4% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What day of the week is most reliable for DSM to DTW?
- Monday flights have the best record at 94% on-time. Day-of-week differences on this route are meaningful — Thursday trails at 80%.
Explore related pages
More routes from DSM
Other ways to fly to Detroit (DTW)
Related guides
Based on 586 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.