American AirlinesAA71% on time
Flights AA4229 11:59 Su · AA5238 11:59 Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa · AA4435 22:00 Mo Tu We Th Su · AA5432 22:00 We Fr Sa
live
Direct flights from Washington (DCA) to Des Moines (DSM): 8 nonstop departures observed each week across 2 airlines. 73% of the last 15 operated flights arrived within 15 minutes of schedule. The median arrival is 19 minutes early. No cancellations were recorded across the 15 tracked flights. The nonstop covers 1,441 km, an estimated 2 hours 21 minutes in the air. Measured by Pro Flight Search from live flight boards at Washington and Des Moines. Updated 10 September 2026 at 11:48 UTC.
DCA
Washington
smooth · +7
DSM
Des Moines
smooth · +0
1,441 km · ~2h 21m est.
Runs mixed · 2 airlines · 8x weekly · nonstop
73% on time
of the last 15 operated DCA → DSM flights arrived within 15 minutes
Median arrival delay is −19 min. 0 of 15 tracked legs cancelled in the sample. Will a delayed flight be cancelled? →
Median arrival−19 minacross the last 15 operated legs
Flight time~2h 21mestimated from route distance
Weekly departures8x2 direct airlines on the leg
Cancelled0.0%recent route rate · 0 of 15
The week
scheduled departures · origin local time06121824
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
American AirlinesEnvoy Air
Each mark is a scheduled departure at its origin-local time, observed operating in the last 7 days. Today is highlighted.
Who flies it
observed on the boards · 7 daysEnvoy AirMQ
Flights MQ4229 varies Su
History
operated legs · board outcomes09-06MQ4229dep +12 → arr+12
Actual board outcomes rather than schedules, paired departure and arrival per flight and day.
Full board history, day by day →
Airports right now
live boardsWeather lens
Current conditions put the pressure at DCA and DSM: 49% odds of a 15+ minute delay and around +13 min expected when it bites, measured from this route's own weather-matched delay history. See live delays → · Weather risk by airport →
next sweep in 120s
How the Washington to Des Moines route actually runs
Pro Flight Search records official board updates for nonstop DCA to DSM flights through the day: schedules, estimates, gate pushes and actual departures. The verdict above comes from operated flights, so it reflects what this route does rather than what the timetable promises.
Planning around a delay? Live airport delays · Weather delay risk map · Will a delayed flight be cancelled? · Do planes make up time in the air? · How we measure
Cite this data
Journalists, bloggers, and researchers may cite this page with attribution and a link to Pro Flight Search.
Suggested citation
Pro Flight Search — Washington (DCA) to Des Moines (DSM) route reliability, measured from operated flights on official airport boards.
Canonical URL
How we measure this →
https://proflightsearch.com/search-flights/DCA-DSM
DCA to DSM questions
Is DCA–DSM running on time right now?
Smooth skies ahead. The departure side at DCA is the weaker end, route health score 94/100. The airports section above carries the live status and delay window at both ends.
Morning or evening flight on DCA–DSM?
Operators schedule morning departures around 11:59 and evening departures around 22:00 from DCA. Earlier flights typically land before destination-airport delays accumulate later in the day; check the DSM delay card to confirm conditions when you'd arrive.
How long is the flight from DCA to DSM?
Great-circle distance is 1,441 km. With typical jet cruise speed plus taxi, climb and descent, expect roughly 132–154 min gate-to-gate on this route.
How often does DCA–DSM fly?
2 carriers operate this route, around 16 flights a week between them. Compare carrier days and times in the airline list above.
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