Des Moines to Houston (DSM–IAH) — 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–IAH is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. United Airlines and Emirates lead the route. The flight covers 804 miles in approximately 2h 29m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines Also: CM, NZ | 21 | 738, 739, E75L, E7W | 2h23-2h35 | Star Alliance | CM, NZ | |
| EK Emirates | 0 | – | – | – | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Houston from Des Moines
| Metric | DSM→IAH | IRK→IAH | OMA→IAH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from DSM | – | 115 mi | 117 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| Weekly flights | 35 | – | 50 |
| Flight time | 2h 29m | 1h 40m | 1h 45m |
| Departure OTP | 73% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
DSM: CDT · IAH: CDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Des Moines, it's 6:00 PM in Houston.
No direct rail from IAH. The METRO bus 102 (IAH Express) runs to downtown Houston's transit center (60–90 min, $1.25). Taxis to downtown Houston cost $50–70. Ride-hails pick up at the designated Rideshare zones outside baggage claim on the lower level.IAH has five terminals (A–E) connected by an underground tunnel with trams. Terminal D handles international arrivals. Rental car agencies are in a consolidated facility adjacent to Terminal C; a free IAH Connector bus runs between terminals and the rental car center. The Galleria / Uptown area costs $35–50 by ride-hail.
Humid subtropical climate. Hot, humid, and wet for much of the year. Summers are brutal (33–38°C) with high humidity and near-daily afternoon thunderstorms. Severe storms with hail and high winds regularly cause ground stops from April through September. Houston's flooding risk is significant. Heavy rain events, including tropical system remnants, have flooded airport roads, cutting off surface access even when the airport itself remains operational.
Winters are mild (5–18°C) with occasional ice storms. These are rare but highly disruptive when they occur. Hurricane season (June–November) requires monitoring for Gulf storms. October through March has the best flying weather.
DSM–IAH Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from DSM to IAH
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) are connected by nonstop service from United Airlines and Emirates. With 35 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
DSM to IAH Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from DSM to IAH is about 2 hours 29 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 804 miles (1,293 km). There are approximately 35 weekly flights outbound and 36 return, totaling 71 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Dallas Fort Worth, Austin Bergstrom and Minneapolis–Saint Paul. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Kirksville (IRK) and Omaha (OMA).