Des Moines to Detroit (DSM–DTW) — 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–DTW is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Delta Air Lines leads the route. The flight covers 532 miles in approximately 1h 49m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL Delta Air Lines Also: AF, KE, VS, WS | 29 | CR7, CR9 | 1h45-1h51 | SkyTeam | AF, KE, VS, WS |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Detroit from Des Moines
| Metric | DSM→DTW | CID→DTW | OMA→DTW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from DSM | – | 103 mi | 117 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Weekly flights | 76 | 1 | 84 |
| Flight time | 1h 49m | 1h 49m | 1h 48m |
| Departure OTP | 88% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
DSM: CDT · DTW: EDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Des Moines, it's 7:00 PM in Detroit.
DTW has no rail. Ride-shares and taxis are the practical options. Taxis to downtown cost $45–60. Ride-shares run $30–45. The two terminals (McNamara and North) are connected by the automated people mover (MTC); both share the same baggage claim and ground transport facilities.Car rental desks are in the consolidated facility accessible from McNamara Terminal. SMART bus Route 261 serves the airport with transfers into the bus network. Allow extra time for I-94 congestion during peak hours.
Humid continental climate. Winters are cold and snowy (−8 to 0°C) from December through March. Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair generate significant lake-effect snow that can fall heavily with little warning. Ice storms and blizzards cause the most serious flight disruptions.
Summers are warm and humid (26–32°C) with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Spring and fall are transitional with frost risk into April and from October. January and February are the highest disruption-risk months.
DSM–DTW Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from DSM to DTW
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) are connected by nonstop service from Delta Air Lines. With 76 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
DSM to DTW Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from DSM to DTW is about 1 hours 49 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 532 miles (856 km). There are approximately 76 weekly flights outbound and 55 return, totaling 131 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Chicago Midway, Minneapolis–Saint Paul and Chicago O'Hare. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Cedar Rapids (CID) and Omaha (OMA).