Minneapolis (MSP) to Des Moines (DSM): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Minneapolis (MSP) to Des Moines (DSM) is a thinner route than most in this dataset — 39 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
- 11 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.3%
- Flights/day
- 0.11
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 1h 15m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 232 mi
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from MSP to DSM
Aim for departures around 12 p.m. (89% on-time); avoid 7 p.m. departures (76%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 81% | 11 min |
| Tuesday | 82% | 12 min |
| Wednesday | 79% | 11 min |
| Thursday | 76% | 14 min |
| Friday | 78% | 15 min |
| Saturdaybest | 91% | 7 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 aircraft43%
- Airline operations27%
- National airspace system25%
- Weather5%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from MSP to DSM delayed?
- 18% of MSP–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 MSP to DSM?
- Departures around 12 p.m. have the best record (89% on-time), while departures around 7 p.m. have the worst (76%). 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 15m over 232 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 18% of the time.
- How often are MSP to DSM flights cancelled?
- 1.3% 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 MSP to DSM?
- Saturday flights have the best record at 91% on-time. Day-of-week differences on this route are meaningful — Thursday trails at 76%.
Explore related pages
More routes from MSP
Other ways to fly to Des Moines (DSM)
Related guides
Based on 629 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.