Des Moines (DSM) to Minneapolis (MSP): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Des Moines (DSM) to Minneapolis (MSP) is a thinner route than most in this dataset — 37 departures over the past year, roughly 1 a week — so treat these numbers as indicative rather than definitive. Of the flights that did operate, 82% arrived on time.
- On-time
- 82%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 13 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.3%
- Flights/day
- 0.10
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 17m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 232 mi
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DSM to MSP
Aim for departures around 5 p.m. (85% on-time); avoid 4 p.m. departures (77%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 85% | 12 min |
| Tuesday | 85% | 11 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 90% | 4 min |
| Thursday | 64% | 23 min |
| Friday | 77% | 20 min |
| Saturday | 82% | 18 min |
| Sunday | 90% | 5 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft26%
- Airline operations40%
- National airspace system29%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DSM to MSP delayed?
- 18% of DSM–MSP 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 13 minutes.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DSM to MSP?
- Departures around 5 p.m. have the best record (85% on-time), while departures around 4 p.m. have the worst (77%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DSM to MSP?
- The scheduled DSM–MSP flight time averages 1h 17m over 232 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 18% of the time.
- How often are DSM to MSP flights cancelled?
- 1.3% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What day of the week is most reliable for DSM to MSP?
- Wednesday flights have the best record at 90% on-time. Day-of-week differences on this route are meaningful — Thursday trails at 64%.
Explore related pages
More routes from DSM
Other ways to fly to Minneapolis (MSP)
Related guides
Based on 544 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.