Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago (ORD): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Delays are only half the story on DSM–ORD: 3% of its scheduled flights were outright cancelled, well above the US norm, so a backup plan matters more here than on most routes. When flights do go, 76% land on time, below the national average of 78%. American Airlines has been the safer pick, arriving on time 85% of the time.
- On-time
- 76%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 23 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 3.0%
- Flights/day
- 9.3
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 35m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 299 mi
Best airline from DSM to ORD
5 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlinesmost reliable | 85% | 20 min | 3.9% | 409 |
| Republic Airways | 81% | 16 min | 2.9% | 1,114 |
| United Airlines | 79% | 18 min | 1.6% | 1,921 |
| Envoy Air | 75% | 18 min | 2.4% | 839 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 69% | 35 min | 4.7% | 1,738 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DSM to ORD
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (87% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (52%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 77% | 22 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 80% | 22 min |
| Wednesday | 76% | 19 min |
| Thursday | 76% | 24 min |
| Friday | 71% | 23 min |
| Saturday | 79% | 25 min |
| Sunday | 73% | 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 aircraft30%
- Airline operations32%
- National airspace system26%
- Weather12%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DSM to ORD delayed?
- 24% of DSM–ORD 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 23 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from DSM to ORD?
- American Airlines has the best on-time record on this route at 85%, based on 409 flights. 5 airlines flew DSM–ORD frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from DSM to ORD?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (87% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (52%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from DSM to ORD?
- The scheduled DSM–ORD flight time averages 1h 35m over 299 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 24% of the time.
- How often are DSM to ORD flights cancelled?
- 3% 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 ORD?
- December 2025 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 61% of arrivals on time. The best was September 2024 at 88%. If your dates are flexible, that 27-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 6,022 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.