82% of flights from Atlanta to Des Moines arrived on time over the past 12 months. That is better than the typical U.S. route. The noon departures ran on time 88% of the time; the 4 p.m. ones 74%. 8% of flights arrived more than an hour late or not at all.
How late?
The on-time rate treats a flight 20 minutes late the same as one 5 hours late. Here's the split for ATL → DSM: when a flight was late, it was under 45 minutes late 56% of the time. About 1 in 19 flights landed an hour or more late, and 1 in 129 three hours or more; 2.4% were cancelled outright.
- On time or early82%
- 15–30 min late5.9%
- 30–60 min late4.2%
- 1–2 hours late3.6%
- 2–3 hours late0.9%
- 3+ hours late0.8%
- Diverted0.2%
- Cancelled2.4%
Share of all 1,290 scheduled flights, past 12 months, by arrival time against schedule.
By airline
| Airline | Flights | On time | Cancelled | Typical arrival | 1h+ late | Avg when late | Operated by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | 1,290 | 82% | 2.4% | −8 min | 5.3% | +62 min | Delta Air Lines 97%, Endeavor Air 3% |
Airline = the name on the ticket. Regional flights (e.g. "Delta Connection") count under the ticketing airline, and the operator is listed.
Best time of day to fly
On-time rate by scheduled departure hour (local time at ATL). Delays build through the day as late planes knock on, so early flights usually do best.
Last flight of the day
On ATL → DSM, each airline's last flight of the day was cancelled 3.3% of the time, against 2.1% for its earlier flights (1.6× as often). It arrived 3+ hours late 1.1% of the time (earlier flights: 0.8%). It matters more than the numbers suggest. Miss an earlier flight and there's another one that evening; miss the last one and you're usually waiting until morning.
| Airline | Last departure | Last: cancelled | Last: 3h+ late | Earlier: cancelled | Next morning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | 9:15 p.m. | 3.3% | 1.1% | 2.1% | first flight 9:31 a.m. |
Last flight = the airline's last scheduled departure on this route that day, on days it flies the route at least twice; past 12 months. Times are typical scheduled times over the latest three months.
If you need to be in DSM tonight, book an earlier flight so there's a backup if it's cancelled.
By month
Each calendar month pooled over 2023–2026. Best: October (91%). Worst: July (72%).
By day of week
| Day | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 195 | 79% | 2.6% |
| Tuesday | 192 | 84% | 1.0% |
| Wednesday | 188 | 89% | 1.1% |
| Thursday | 185 | 82% | 1.1% |
| Friday | 189 | 80% | 3.2% |
| Saturday | 152 | 82% | 4.6% |
| Sunday | 189 | 78% | 3.7% |
Why flights were late
Share of delay minutes on flights 15+ minutes late, as reported to BTS by the airlines.
Cancellations: airline 20 · weather 11
Month by month
Flight numbers on this route
Regular flights with at least 120 scheduled trips in the past year. Sorted by departure time.
| Flight | Departs | Flights | On time | Cancelled | Typical arrival | Operated by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL 1704 | 9:30 a.m. | 363 | 86% | 2.5% | −10 min | Delta Air Lines |
| DL 2086 | 3:15 p.m. | 288 | 78% | 2.4% | −7 min | Delta Air Lines |
| DL 2306 | 9:15 p.m. | 348 | 80% | 3.2% | −7 min | Delta Air Lines |
Worst days in the past year
| Date | Flights | On time | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 15, 2026 | 4 | 0% | 1 |
| Apr 28, 2026 | 4 | 0% | 2 |
| Dec 7, 2025 | 4 | 0% | 2 |
| Feb 19, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
| Mar 16, 2026 | 3 | 0% | 0 |
Questions
How often are flights from ATL to DSM on time?
82% of 1,290 scheduled flights from Atlanta, GA to Des Moines, IA arrived within 15 minutes of schedule between September 2025 and August 2026. 2.4% were cancelled.
What is the best time of day to fly ATL to DSM?
Flights scheduled to leave at noon were the most reliable (88% on time). The 4 p.m. departures were the least (74%).
What month has the most delays from ATL to DSM?
July (72% on time). The best month is October (91%), over 2023–2026.
Is the last flight of the day from ATL to DSM more likely to be cancelled?
Yes. Each airline's last ATL–DSM flight of the day was cancelled 3.3% of the time over the past year, against 2.1% for its earlier flights. If the last flight is cancelled, the next one is usually the following morning.
Related
- DSM → ATL (return)
- Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) delays by hour
- Flights into Des Moines (DSM)
- Delta Air Lines on-time record
- Connecting off this flight? Check the risk
Domestic flights by the airlines that report to the U.S. DOT, plus their regional partners. "On time" means arriving less than 15 minutes after schedule; cancelled and diverted flights count as not on time. Past performance is a guide, not a forecast. Method.