PlainFlights

Route · DSM → DFW · 2020–2025 BTS data

Des Moines to Dallas/Fort Worth

According to PlainFlights' route traffic ranking (BTS On-Time Performance total flights), DSM to DFW (Des Moines to Dallas/Fort Worth) ranks #1668 of 4927 tracked domestic routes by total flights (most flights = #1).

Data updated 2026-06-13

77.9%
On-time
-1.1 pts
vs US avg
106 min
Delay when late
7,556
Flights
#1668 of 4927
Corpus placement

Cancelled

2.9%

Best Month

Sep 2024 88%

Worst Month

Jul 2024 51%

Distance

624 mi

Carriers

27

Monthly Performance

Recent 24 months of route data.

Period Flights Delayed Cancelled Diverted Carriers
Dec 2025 122 42 2 1 AA,MQ,OO
Nov 2025 116 36 6 1 MQ,OH,AA
Oct 2025 121 32 3 0 AA,OH,MQ
Sep 2025 119 32 3 2 MQ,OH,AA
Aug 2025 118 31 3 1 AA,MQ
Jul 2025 118 44 6 0 AA,MQ
Jun 2025 116 34 2 4 AA,MQ
May 2025 93 29 3 1 AA
Apr 2025 94 24 5 2 MQ,AA
Mar 2025 118 22 6 1 AA,MQ
Feb 2025 89 20 2 0 AA,OH,MQ
Jan 2025 104 20 9 1 AA,OH,MQ
Dec 2024 95 22 1 1 AA,MQ
Nov 2024 107 23 1 1 MQ,AA
Oct 2024 113 18 0 0 MQ,AA
Sep 2024 97 12 0 1 AA,MQ
Aug 2024 117 48 1 0 AA,MQ
Jul 2024 121 59 1 0 AA,MQ
Jun 2024 116 38 4 1 AA,MQ
May 2024 93 31 7 0 AA
Apr 2024 88 23 3 1 AA
Mar 2024 94 24 0 0 AA,MQ,OH
Feb 2024 87 22 1 0 AA
Jan 2024 91 41 4 0 AA

DSM–DFW seasonal on-time pattern

Best: September (83.4%) · weakest: July (71.4%)

70%75%80%85% JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec 75.6%

Strongest calendar month

September

83.4% on-time · ~105 flights/mo

Busiest calendar month

August

~119 flights/mo avg

Weakest calendar month

July

71.4% on-time · ~115 flights/mo

Cancellation Rate

2.9%

73 of 2,547 flights

Diversion Rate

0.7%

19 of 2,547 flights

Origin-hub reliability standing

Mid-pack among DSM departures

From DSM, this corridor sits with 7 other 75–85% on-time routes out of 13 tracked departures, not the hub's reliability leaders (6 at ≥85%) and not the softest ( 0 below 75%). Destination: Dallas/Fort Worth · fleet on-time rank #3863 of 4927.

What the Data Says About DSM to DFW

The Des Moines to Dallas/Fort Worth corridor (DSM to DFW) posts a 77.9% on-time rate on the lower edge of the average band, based on 7,556 tracked flights. Late flights run 106.2 minutes behind on average. 27 carriers cover the 624-mile route; over the last 24 months, 73 of 2,547 flights were cancelled (2.9%) and 0.7% diverted.

The monthly split is wide on this route: Sep 2024 posted the strongest performance at 88% on-time, while Jul 2024 came in at just 51% - a 36-point swing worth factoring into travel timing.

On the multi-year calendar, DSM–DFW peaks in September at 83.4% on-time while August carries the heaviest traffic (~119 flights per month) ; the softest month is July at 71.4%, a 12.0-point swing that repeats because the corridor's weather and holiday mix stays stable year to year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does DSM to DFW rank among US routes by traffic?
According to PlainFlights' route traffic ranking, DSM to DFW ranks #1668 of 4927 tracked domestic routes by total flights (most flights = #1). That ordinal matches our busiest-routes listing (total_flights DESC). See /methodology#corpus-placement for the exact sort basis.
How often are flights delayed from DSM to DFW?
Flights from Des Moines to Dallas/Fort Worth have a 77.9% on-time rate based on 7,556 flights. The average delay is 106.2 minutes. The best recent month was Sep 2024 with 88% on-time.
What is the cancellation rate for DSM to DFW?
Over the last 24 months, 2.9% of flights on this route were cancelled (73 of 2,547 flights) and 0.7% were diverted.
How far is the flight from DSM to DFW?
The flight distance from Des Moines (DSM) to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) is approximately 624 miles. This route is served by 27 carriers.
When is the best time to fly from DSM to DFW?
The best recent month for on-time performance was Sep 2024 (88% on-time). The worst was Jul 2024 (51% on-time). Consider booking during months with historically better performance.

Airports on this route

Data source

Data Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), On-Time Performance Data. Statistics reflect cumulative performance across all available reporting periods.

Using DSM–DFW data

DSM–DFW is mid-pack at 77.9% on-time; month and carrier mix move more than the corridor headline.

  • Compare DSM and DFW airport profiles: delay causes and top routes differ even on the same corridor. DSM airport
  • If your dates flex, September (83.4% on-time) beats July (71.4%) on this corridor. Seasonal chart
  • 4 other routes post a similar 77.9% on-time rate; compare before you commit to this pairing. Similar routes

On-time rate reflects the BTS historical average across all reporting carriers on this origin–destination pair, not any single flight or booking recommendation.

Data sourced from U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) On-Time Performance data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainFlights

Every figure on PlainFlights is rendered directly from BTS On-Time Performance data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page aggregates this specific route's on-time performance and monthly trend, live from the dataset. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.