Detroit (DTW) to Des Moines (DSM): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Detroit (DTW) to Des Moines (DSM) 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, 87% arrived on time, comfortably above the national average of 78%.
- On-time
- 87%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 11 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.4%
- Flights/day
- 0.04
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 52m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 534 mi
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from DTW to DSM
Aim for departures around 4 p.m. (90% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (82%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 90% | 6 min |
| Tuesday | 87% | 13 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 91% | 4 min |
| Thursday | 85% | 7 min |
| Friday | 80% | 28 min |
| Saturday | 86% | 13 min |
| Sunday | 89% | 6 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft21%
- Airline operations66%
- National airspace system10%
- Weather3%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from DTW to DSM delayed?
- 13% of DTW–DSM 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 DTW to DSM?
- Departures around 4 p.m. have the best record (90% on-time), while departures around 7 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 DTW to DSM?
- The scheduled DTW–DSM flight time averages 1h 52m over 534 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 13% of the time.
- How often are DTW to DSM 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 DTW to DSM?
- Wednesday flights have the best record at 91% on-time. Day-of-week differences on this route are meaningful — Friday trails at 80%.
Explore related pages
More routes from DTW
Other ways to fly to Des Moines (DSM)
Related guides
Based on 586 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.