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Route on-time record

DCA to DSM: most on-time flights and the best time to fly

Washington (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) to Des Moines (Des Moines International Airport). 701 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 73% arrived within 15 minutes and 6.6% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was Republic 4713 at 11:04 AM.

Flying on a specific date? We’ll adjust for the month, the weekday and the forecast.

DCA → DSM

Washington to Des Moines: 701 nonstop flights a year

On time (12 months)

73%

Cancelled

6.6%

avg delay 20 min

Best time to leave

9 AM to noon

81% on time vs 66% 6 to 9 PM

Most reliable airline

Envoy

74% chance on time

Check DCA to DSM fares

Fares open on our travel partner (Aviasales). Pick the flight number you chose here.

Most reliable nonstop flights

Ranked by the chance the flight operates and arrives within 15 minutes of schedule, from Jun 2025 to May 2026 records.

  1. #1 · Republic 4713 · sold as American Eagle, Delta Connection or United Express

    11:04 AM → 12:55 PM2h 51m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-20.

    74%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    84%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    9 min
    • Arrived on time 84% of the time (38 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Never cancelled in 38 scheduled flights.
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (9 AM to noon: 81% on time; 6 to 9 PM: 66%).
    • Departs outside DCA's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started).

    Limited track record · 38 flights

    Find 11:04 AM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  2. #2 · PSA 5388 · sold as American Eagle

    11:23 AM → 1:18 PM2h 55m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-04-06.

    69%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    74%
    Cancelled
    5.6%
    Avg arrival delay
    17 min
    • Arrived on time 74% of the time (85 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Cancelled 5.6% of the time (5 of 90).
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (9 AM to noon: 81% on time; 6 to 9 PM: 66%).
    • Departs outside DCA's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started).

    Moderate track record · 85 flights

    Find 11:23 AM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  3. #3 · PSA 5432 · sold as American Eagle

    7:59 PM → 9:53 PM2h 54m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.

    64%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    72%
    Cancelled
    11.8%
    Avg arrival delay
    23 min
    • Arrived on time 72% of the time (185 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Cancelled 11.8% of the time (25 of 212).
    • Leaves in this route's least on-time window (6 to 9 PM: 66% on time; 9 AM to noon: 81%).
    • Departs outside DCA's trouble window (1 PM to 7 PM, when 63% of its 194 ground stops and delay programs started).

    Moderate track record · 185 flights

    Find 7:59 PM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales

Airlines on this route

Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.

  • Envoy Air (sold as American Eagle)74%

    65 flights · 85% on time as flown · 6.0% cancel

  • Republic Airways (sold as American Eagle, Delta Connection or United Express)67%

    300 flights · 70% on time as flown · 5.1% cancel

  • PSA Airlines (sold as American Eagle)67%

    335 flights · 73% on time as flown · 8.2% cancel

On time by departure time

All airlines, scheduled local departure, Jun 2025 to May 2026.

  • 9 AM to noon81%

    197 flights · avg delay 13 min

  • Noon to 3 PM72%

    157 flights · avg delay 22 min

  • 6 to 9 PM66%

    251 flights · avg delay 25 min

  • After 9 PM76%

    92 flights · avg delay 21 min

Best day: Wednesday (81%). Worst: Friday (71%).

On time by month

All airlines, Jun 2023 to May 2026. Several years per month, so one stormy season doesn't define a month. Travel-month estimates use this seasonal pattern.

J
73
F
68
M
79
A
79
M
70
J
69
J
72
A
80
S
82
O
80
N
82
D
74

What delays this route

  • Late-arriving aircraft48%
  • Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)25%
  • Air traffic control and airport volume15%
  • Severe weather11%

Share of delay minutes by the cause airlines report to the US DOT.

Historical odds, not a guarantee. Built from the US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics on-time reports (Jun 2025 to May 2026), FAA ground stop and delay program advisories, and 20 years of airport weather observations. Covers US airlines that report to the DOT; schedules are flights operated recently, so confirm times when you book. ATIS Alerts is not affiliated with any airline. Fares are what Aviasales travelers saw in recent searches (USD, one way, 1 adult), not live quotes; the partner site shows the current price. Fare links go to our travel partner and may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Affiliate disclosure

DCA to DSM questions

What time of day is best to fly DCA to DSM?
9 AM to noon: 81% of flights arrived on time, against 66% for departures 6 to 9 PM.
Which airline is most on time from DCA to DSM?
Envoy, with a season-adjusted 74% chance of operating and arriving on time over 65 flights. The adjustment compares each airline with what the route did in the months it flew, so a carrier that skipped a stormy month gets no free credit.
What is the worst month for delays on DCA to DSM?
February (68% on time); the best was November (82%), averaged over Jun 2023 to May 2026.
Is this a prediction for my flight?
No. These are historical odds from the US DOT on-time reports, FAA advisories and airport weather records. Check your flight status and the FAA delay board on the day you fly.

More routes from DCA

Live status: FAA delays and ground stops