American AirlinesAA92% on time
Flights AA4633 06:00 Mo Tu We Th Fr · AA5122 06:00 Sa Su · AA5238 14:21 Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
live
Direct flights from Des Moines (DSM) to Washington (DCA): 8 nonstop departures observed each week across 2 airlines. 93% of the last 14 operated flights arrived within 15 minutes of schedule. The median arrival is 23 minutes early. No cancellations were recorded across the 14 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 Des Moines and Washington. Updated 9 September 2026 at 02:18 UTC.
DSM
Des Moines
smooth · +8
DCA
Washington
smooth · +0
1,441 km · ~2h 21m est.
Runs reliable · 2 airlines · 8x weekly · nonstop
93% on time
of the last 14 operated DSM → DCA flights arrived within 15 minutes
Median arrival delay is −23 min. 0 of 14 tracked legs cancelled in the sample. Will a delayed flight be cancelled? →
Median arrival−23 minacross the last 14 operated legs
Flight time~2h 21mestimated from route distance
Weekly departures8x2 direct airlines on the leg
Cancelled0.0%recent route rate · 0 of 14
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 +2 → arr−1
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 DSM and DCA: 47% odds of a 15+ minute delay and around +14 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 Des Moines to Washington route actually runs
Pro Flight Search records official board updates for nonstop DSM to DCA 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 — Des Moines (DSM) to Washington (DCA) route reliability, measured from operated flights on official airport boards.
Canonical URL
How we measure this →
https://proflightsearch.com/search-flights/DSM-DCA
DSM to DCA questions
Is DSM–DCA running on time right now?
Smooth skies ahead. The departure side at DSM 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 DSM–DCA?
Operators schedule morning departures around 06:00 from DSM. Earlier flights typically land before destination-airport delays accumulate later in the day; check the DCA delay card to confirm conditions when you'd arrive.
How long is the flight from DSM to DCA?
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 DSM–DCA fly?
2 carriers operate this route, around 14 flights a week between them. Compare carrier days and times in the airline list above.
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