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Route · MSP → DSM · 2020–2025 BTS data

Minneapolis to Des Moines

The MSP–DSM corridor (Minneapolis, MN → Des Moines, IA) runs ahead of the national average, served by 5 carriers across roughly 232 miles.

Data updated 2026-06-13

87.1%
On-time
+8.1 pts
vs US avg
71 min
Delay when late
5,520
Flights

Cancelled

0.9%

Best Month

Oct 2024 96%

Worst Month

Jun 2024 67%

Distance

232 mi

Carriers

5

Monthly Performance

Recent 24 months of route data.

Period Flights Delayed Cancelled Diverted Carriers
Dec 2024 88 20 0 0 9E
Nov 2024 83 7 0 0 9E
Oct 2024 84 3 0 0 9E
Sep 2024 81 5 0 0 9E
Aug 2024 85 21 2 0 9E
Jul 2024 85 26 4 1 9E
Jun 2024 84 28 1 0 9E
May 2024 88 11 0 1 9E
Apr 2024 86 7 0 1 9E
Mar 2024 88 16 1 0 9E
Feb 2024 78 9 0 0 9E
Jan 2024 88 24 2 0 9E
Dec 2023 83 7 0 0 9E
Nov 2023 83 8 0 0 9E
Oct 2023 86 7 0 0 9E
Sep 2023 84 22 0 0 9E
Aug 2023 89 21 0 0 9E
Jul 2023 86 15 0 0 9E
Jun 2023 86 12 0 0 9E
May 2023 88 5 0 1 9E
Apr 2023 87 10 0 0 9E
Mar 2023 93 20 0 0 9E
Feb 2023 79 6 6 0 9E
Jan 2023 87 23 3 0 9E,DL

Cancellation Rate

0.9%

19 of 2,049 flights

Diversion Rate

0.2%

4 of 2,049 flights

What the Data Says About MSP to DSM

Minneapolis to Des Moines (MSP to DSM) is one of the more dependable pairings in the BTS On-Time Performance dataset: a 87.1% on-time rate across 5,520 flights, with delays that do happen averaging 71.3 minutes. The corridor runs roughly 232 miles and is served by 5 carriers. Over the most recent 24 months, 19 of 2,049 flights were cancelled (0.9%) and 4 diverted (0.2%).

The monthly split is wide on this route: Oct 2024 posted the strongest performance at 96% on-time, while Jun 2024 came in at just 67% - a 30-point swing worth factoring into travel timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often are flights delayed from MSP to DSM?
Flights from Minneapolis to Des Moines have a 87.1% on-time rate based on 5,520 flights. The average delay is 71.3 minutes. The best recent month was Oct 2024 with 96% on-time.
What is the cancellation rate for MSP to DSM?
Over the last 24 months, 0.9% of flights on this route were cancelled (19 of 2,049 flights) and 0.2% were diverted.
How far is the flight from MSP to DSM?
The flight distance from Minneapolis (MSP) to Des Moines (DSM) is approximately 232 miles. This route is served by 5 carriers.
When is the best time to fly from MSP to DSM?
The best recent month for on-time performance was Oct 2024 (96% on-time). The worst was Jun 2024 (67% on-time). Consider booking during months with historically better performance.

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Data source

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

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 Editorial

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.