Des Moines to Washington (DSM–DCA) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
DSM–DCA is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. American Airlines and Alaska Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 895 miles in approximately 2h 37m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA American Airlines | 26 | CR7, CR9, E75 | 2h36-2h37 | Oneworld | – | |
| AS Alaska Airlines | 0 | – | – | Oneworld | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Washington from Des Moines
| Metric | DSM→DCA | ALO→DCA | CID→DCA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from DSM | – | 96 mi | 103 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Weekly flights | 26 | 1 | 14 |
| Flight time | 2h 37m | 2h 5m | 2h 19m |
| Departure OTP | 72% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
DSM: CDT · DCA: EDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Des Moines, it's 7:00 PM in Washington.
The Metro station is inside Terminal B/C with covered walkway access; Terminal A requires a short outdoor walk or shuttle. Yellow and Blue line trains run to downtown DC in 15–25 minutes for $2.25–$3.85.
Taxis and Uber/Lyft operate from designated pick-up zones outside each terminal; fares to downtown run $15–30. DCA serves the National Mall area and is well-positioned for the U.S. Capitol, Pentagon, and downtown offices. International arrivals clear customs at DCA only for pre-cleared flights; most international traffic uses IAD (Dulles). Rental cars are in a consolidated facility accessible by shuttle.
Humid subtropical climate. Summers (June–August) are hot and very humid at 29–34°C with frequent afternoon thunderstorms causing ground stops and airspace flow programs. The summer storm season is the primary operational disruption risk at DCA. Spring and autumn are transitional with variable conditions and occasional severe thunderstorm outbreaks.
Winters (December–February) bring cold temperatures (−2 to 7°C) with occasional snowstorms that disproportionately affect the DC area due to limited snow-removal infrastructure. Even moderate snowfall (5–10 cm) can shut regional airports for hours. Pack layers for winter; the region's storm response is notoriously inconsistent.
DSM–DCA Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from DSM to DCA
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) are connected by nonstop service from American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. With 26 weekly departures, this is a well served route.
DSM to DCA Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from DSM to DCA is about 2 hours 37 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 895 miles (1,440 km). There are approximately 26 weekly flights outbound and 33 return, totaling 59 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Chicago Midway, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County and Minneapolis–Saint Paul. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Waterloo (ALO), Cedar Rapids (CID) and Omaha (OMA).