Phoenix (PHX) to Des Moines (DSM): On-Time Performance
Data through May 2026
Phoenix (PHX) to Des Moines (DSM) effectively runs on two schedules. In January 2025, 92% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 68% — a 24-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 81% on-time against a national 78%. Morning departures also hold up better than evening ones (85% vs 74%), which matters most in the rough months.
- On-time
- 81%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 11 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 1.1%
- Flights/day
- 2.9
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 2h 51m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,149 mi
Best airline from PHX to DSM
4 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-06 and 2026-05.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Envoy Airmost reliable | 87% | 6 min | 0.7% | 418 |
| Southwest Airlines | 82% | 9 min | 0.8% | 400 |
| SkyWest Airlines | 82% | 10 min | 1.1% | 468 |
| American Airlines | 79% | 16 min | 1.5% | 842 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from PHX to DSM
Aim for departures around 10 a.m. (89% on-time); avoid 8 p.m. departures (71%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 80% | 12 min |
| Tuesday | 84% | 14 min |
| Wednesdaybest | 85% | 7 min |
| Thursday | 82% | 13 min |
| Friday | 81% | 8 min |
| Saturday | 78% | 13 min |
| Sunday | 80% | 11 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft44%
- Airline operations42%
- National airspace system13%
- Weather1%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from PHX to DSM delayed?
- 19% of PHX–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.
- Which airline is most reliable from PHX to DSM?
- Envoy Air has the best on-time record on this route at 87%, based on 418 flights. 4 airlines flew PHX–DSM frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from PHX to DSM?
- Departures around 10 a.m. have the best record (89% on-time), while departures around 8 p.m. have the worst (71%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from PHX to DSM?
- The scheduled PHX–DSM flight time averages 2h 51m over 1,149 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 19% of the time.
- How often are PHX to DSM flights cancelled?
- 1.1% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-06 and 2026-05, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from PHX to DSM?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 68% of arrivals on time. The best was January 2025 at 92%. If your dates are flexible, that 24-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 2,135 flights, 2024-06–2026-05. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-07-01.