Route · DTW → DSM · 2020–2025 BTS data
Detroit to Des Moines
The DTW–DSM corridor (Detroit, MI → Des Moines, IA) runs ahead of the national average, served by 5 carriers across roughly 534 miles.
Data updated 2026-06-13
- 89.7%
- On-time
- +10.7 pts
- vs US avg
- 68 min
- Delay when late
- 4,242
- Flights
Cancelled
0.7%
Best Month
Oct 2024 98%
Worst Month
Jan 2024 67%
Distance
534 mi
Carriers
5
Monthly Performance
Recent 24 months of route data.
| Period | Flights | Delayed | Cancelled | Diverted | Carriers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2024 | 75 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 9E |
| Nov 2024 | 77 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9E,DL |
| Oct 2024 | 83 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9E |
| Sep 2024 | 81 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9E |
| Aug 2024 | 85 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 9E |
| Jul 2024 | 85 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 9E |
| Jun 2024 | 84 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 9E |
| May 2024 | 88 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 9E |
| Apr 2024 | 86 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 9E |
| Mar 2024 | 81 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 9E |
| Feb 2024 | 58 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 9E |
| Jan 2024 | 61 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 9E |
| Dec 2023 | 68 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9E |
| Nov 2023 | 80 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9E |
| Oct 2023 | 80 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9E |
| Sep 2023 | 81 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 9E,YX |
| Aug 2023 | 79 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 9E |
| Jul 2023 | 81 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 9E |
| Jun 2023 | 82 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 9E |
| May 2023 | 78 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 9E |
| Apr 2023 | 72 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 9E |
| Mar 2023 | 62 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 9E |
| Feb 2023 | 56 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 9E |
| Jan 2023 | 61 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 9E |
Cancellation Rate
0.7%
13 of 1,824 flights
Diversion Rate
0.4%
8 of 1,824 flights
Explore origin & destination
On-time and delay data for the airports this route connects.
DTW - Detroit
Full on-time, delay-cause, and seasonal performance for Detroit, MI.
Origin airport →DSM - Des Moines
Full on-time, delay-cause, and seasonal performance for Des Moines, IA.
Destination airport →Compare the two airports
See DTW and DSM side by side on delays, cancellations, and reliability.
Open comparison tool →Similar routes
Other BTS-tracked routes with comparable performance or trip length to DTW–DSM.
Routes with a similar on-time rate
What the Data Says About DTW to DSM
Detroit to Des Moines (DTW to DSM) is one of the more dependable pairings in the BTS On-Time Performance dataset: a 89.7% on-time rate across 4,242 flights, with delays that do happen averaging 67.9 minutes. The corridor runs roughly 534 miles and is served by 5 carriers. Over the most recent 24 months, 13 of 1,824 flights were cancelled (0.7%) and 8 diverted (0.4%).
The monthly split is wide on this route: Oct 2024 posted the strongest performance at 98% on-time, while Jan 2024 came in at just 67% - a 30-point swing worth factoring into travel timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often are flights delayed from DTW to DSM? ▼
What is the cancellation rate for DTW to DSM? ▼
How far is the flight from DTW to DSM? ▼
When is the best time to fly from DTW to DSM? ▼
Flight Guides
Tips and data-driven advice for choosing reliable routes.
Explore PlainFlights
Data source
Data Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), On-Time Performance Data. Statistics reflect cumulative performance across all available reporting periods.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
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.