How reliable is Des Moines International Airport?
Flights from DSM departed within 15 minutes of schedule in 83% of 100,824 flights in official BTS history — and weather is calmest in Sep. Here’s the full picture before you book.
Reliability score
on-time, cancellations & delays
Weather favorability
year-round climate
Origin-airport operations
What the departure punctuality at DSM looks like
On-time departures
across 100,824 flights
Source: BTS Airport Operations · data through 2026-09-08. Role-specific BTS departure history; advisory context, not a guarantee for any flight.
Weather by month
When the weather works for you at Des Moines
A calm-weather score (0–100) for each month from decades of airport observations — how often conditions disrupt flying, not temperature. Higher is calmer.
Calmest month
Calmest flying weather of the year · 95/100 favorability
Roughest month
Most disruptive — low visibility & fog, snow · 76/100 favorability
The read on DSM
What the numbers say about flying through Des Moines International Airport
Across official performance history, flights from Des Moines left within 15 minutes of schedule about 83% of the time over 100,824 flights. That's a solid, better-than-average operational record. Pair it with a moderate cancellation rate of 2.0%. When a departure does run late, the typical delay is around 13 minutes.
On weather, Des Moines is an unusually calm-weather airport year-round. September is the calmest stretch for flying, scoring 95 out of 100 for favorable conditions, while January is the most disruptive at 76, driven mainly by low visibility & fog and snow. The seasonal swing is real but manageable; favor the calmer months when your dates are flexible.
None of this guarantees your specific flight — it’s the backdrop. To turn it into a booking, score real flights to Des Moines, read how we weigh it all in how the Peace of Mind Score works, and brush up with how to pick a reliable flight and avoiding weather delays.
Common questions about DSM
- How reliable is Des Moines International Airport (DSM)?
- Flights from Des Moines left within 15 minutes of schedule roughly 83% of the time across 100,824 flights of official history — a solid, better-than-average operational record. The cancellation rate runs about 2.0%. It's advisory context, not a guarantee for any single flight.
- What is the best month to fly from DSM for good weather?
- September has the calmest flying weather at Des Moines International Airport. January is the most disruptive, mainly from low visibility & fog and snow.
Peace of Mind
Where to stay in Des Moines
Hotels scored on cleanliness, location, price fairness, and trust — not just stars.
Reliability guides
Planning a trip through Des Moines?
Score real flights to and from DSM on reliability, weather, and connection safety — not just price.
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