Minneapolis (MSP) to Des Moines (DSM): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Minneapolis (MSP) to Des Moines (DSM) is a thinner route than most in this dataset — 38 departures over the past year, roughly 1 a week — so treat these numbers as indicative rather than definitive. Of the flights that did operate, 84% arrived on time, comfortably above the national average of 78%.
- On-time
- 84%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 9 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.3%
- Flights/day
- 0.10
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 16m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 232 mi
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MSP to DSM
Aim for departures around 10 a.m. (88% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (79%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 85% | 8 min |
| Tuesday | 82% | 9 min |
| Wednesday | 84% | 9 min |
| Thursday | 78% | 12 min |
| Friday | 80% | 13 min |
| Saturdaybest | 94% | 4 min |
| Sunday | 87% | 9 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft36%
- Airline operations29%
- National airspace system27%
- Weather7%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MSP to DSM delayed?
- 16% of MSP–DSM 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 9 minutes.
- What is the best time of day to fly from MSP to DSM?
- Departures around 10 a.m. have the best record (88% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (79%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from MSP to DSM?
- The scheduled MSP–DSM flight time averages 1h 16m over 232 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 16% of the time.
- How often are MSP to DSM 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 MSP to DSM?
- Saturday flights have the best record at 94% on-time. Day-of-week differences on this route are meaningful — Thursday trails at 78%.
Explore related pages
More routes from MSP
Other ways to fly to Des Moines (DSM)
Related guides
Based on 545 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.