Philadelphia (PHL) to Des Moines (DSM): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Philadelphia (PHL) to Des Moines (DSM) is a thinner route than most in this dataset — 349 departures over the past year, roughly 7 a week — so treat these numbers as indicative rather than definitive. Of the flights that did operate, 71% arrived on time, noticeably below the national average of 78%. Cancellations are the bigger caveat: 4.6% of scheduled flights never departed.
- On-time
- 71%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 29 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 4.6%
- Flights/day
- 0.96
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 58m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 973 mi
Best airline from PHL to DSM
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic Airwaysmost reliable | 77% | 24 min | 3.9% | 77 |
| PSA Airlines | 72% | 28 min | 4.4% | 362 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from PHL to DSM
Aim for departures around 10 a.m. (85% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (41%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 70% | 39 min |
| Tuesday | 79% | 16 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 81% | 17 min |
| Thursday | 64% | 46 min |
| Friday | 71% | 26 min |
| Saturday | 69% | 27 min |
| Sunday | 68% | 26 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft46%
- Airline operations27%
- National airspace system19%
- Weather8%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from PHL to DSM delayed?
- 29% of PHL–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 29 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from PHL to DSM?
- Republic Airways has the best on-time record on this route at 77%, based on 77 flights. 2 airlines flew PHL–DSM frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from PHL to DSM?
- Departures around 10 a.m. have the best record (85% on-time), while departures around 8 p.m. have the worst (41%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from PHL to DSM?
- The scheduled PHL–DSM flight time averages 2h 58m over 973 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 29% of the time.
- How often are PHL to DSM flights cancelled?
- 4.6% 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 day of the week is most reliable for PHL to DSM?
- Wednesday flights have the best record at 81% on-time. Day-of-week differences on this route are meaningful — Thursday trails at 64%.
Explore related pages
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Related guides
Based on 460 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.