Des Moines to Chicago (DSM–ORD) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
Flight Schedule
102 flights
Verified 23m ago
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No flights match your filters.
No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
✦ 1-Stop Connections
→
Separate tickets — book each leg independently. Collect and recheck bags at .
Hub OTP
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No data
Fastest
estimated
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Unknown
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✧ 2-Stop Connections
Separate tickets — book each leg independently. Collect and recheck bags at each hub.
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Des Moines to Chicago
10 carriers, 297 flights/week nonstop.
10 Airlines
297 Flights/wk
298 mi
0h 44m nonstop
41 1-stop hubs
DSM–ORD is served by 10 airlines with nonstop service. American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 298 miles in approximately 0h 44m. Beyond nonstop, 41 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Carriers on this route
Airline Landscape
All carriers operating nonstop DSM–ORD service, compared side by side.
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA American Airlines | 79 | 319, CR7, E70, E75, E75L | 1h29-3h18 | Oneworld | – | |
| AS Alaska Airlines | 71 | 319, CR7, E70, E75 | 1h29-1h49 | Oneworld | – | |
| UA United Airlines | 70 | 319, 738, 73G, CR5, E75L, E7W | 1h14-1h37 | Star Alliance | – | |
| EI Aer Lingus | 28 | 319, CR7, E70, E75 | 1h29-1h45 | – | – | |
| BA British Airways | 20 | CR7, E70 | 1h31-1h47 | Oneworld | – | |
| AC Air Canada | 7 | 73G | 1h36 | Star Alliance | – | |
| AV avianca | 7 | 737 | 1h36 | Star Alliance | – | |
| CM Copa Airlines | 7 | 739 | 1h36 | Star Alliance | – | |
| EK Emirates | 7 | 73G | 1h36 | – | – | |
| OO SkyWest Airlines | 1 | – | 0h44 | – | – |
Aircraft on this route
OTP based on airport-level delay snapshots. Duration ranges reflect seasonal/directional variation.
Schedule
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Nonstop flight frequency by day of week, DSM to ORD direction.
Mon
41
flights
Tue
41
flights
Wed
45
flights
Thu
41
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Fri
42
flights
Sat
44
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Sun
43
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Departure time distribution
12 AM6 AM12 PM6 PM12 AM
Morning departures
Afternoon/evening departures
54
Nonstop flights
297
Outbound / wk
262
Return / wk
Connections
Connection Landscape
Beyond nonstop. 1-stop and 2-stop options for DSM to ORD.
1-STOP
One-Stop Connections
41
Hubs
~3h
Fastest
~24h
Longest
Verified with published schedule alignment and minimum connection time.
2-STOP
Two-Stop Connections
2,530
Candidates
Two-stop connections loaded in the connections tab above.
Connections computed from published schedules with minimum connection time verification. Use the interactive explorer above the fold to filter by airline, tier, and layover time.
Reliability
On-Time Performance
What to expect at each end of your journey.
Outbound
DSM → ORD
100%
Generally reliable. Most flights run on time.
Departing
100%
Arriving
85%
Return
ORD → DSM
50%
Frequent delays expected. Consider flexible booking.
Departing
50%
Arriving
72%
OTP = percentage of flights arriving within 15 min of schedule. Based on airport-level delay snapshots.
DSM delays → ORD delays →
Alternatives
Other ways to reach Chicago from Des Moines
Nearby airports with service to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
| Metric | DSM→ORD | FOD→ORD | ALO→ORD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from DSM | – | 76 mi | 96 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 297 | 14 | 14 |
| Flight time | 0h 44m | 1h 28m | 1h 24m |
| Departure OTP | 100% | – | – |
Fort Dodge (FOD) to Chicago flights · Waterloo (ALO) to Chicago flights · Cedar Rapids (CID) to Chicago flights
Airports within 200 miles of DSM with service to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
Know before you go
Travel Essentials
Practical planning for this route.
Time Difference
0h
Chicago is 0 hours
the same as
Des Moines.
DSM: CDT · ORD: CDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Des Moines, it's 6:00 PM in Chicago.
DSM: CDT · ORD: CDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Des Moines, it's 6:00 PM in Chicago.
Distance & Flight Time
298 mi / 480 km
Nonstop flight time is approximately 0h 44m to 3h 18m.
Getting from ORD
CTA Blue Line runs 24/7 from O'Hare to downtown Chicago (45 min, $5). Taxis use a flat-rate zone system; downtown is around $40–45 plus tip. Ride-shares are typically $30–50.The Airport Transit System (ATS) connects all terminals and parking. Metra commuter rail does not serve O'Hare directly; transfer downtown via Blue Line.
Chicago Climate
Continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid (25–32°C) with afternoon thunderstorms. Winters are cold (−10 to −2°C) with heavy snowfall that regularly delays flights December through March.
Spring and fall are mild but unpredictable. Pack layers. Lake Michigan moderates temperatures near the lakefront, but O'Hare sits inland and runs colder.
Facts
DSM–ORD Quick Facts
Key statistics for the Des Moines to Chicago route.
Route details
Distance298 mi / 480 km
Flight time0h 44m to 3h 18m
Time difference0 hours
Airlines (nonstop)10
Weekly flights297 out / 262 return
1-stop connections41 hubs
Origin: DSM
Full nameDes Moines International Airport
IATA / ICAODSM / KDSM
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
Passengers/yr3.1M
Elevation958 ft / 292 m
Destination: ORD
Full nameChicago O'Hare International Airport
IATA / ICAOORD / KORD
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
Passengers/yr80.0M
Elevation680 ft / 207 m
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about DSM to ORD flights.
Nonstop flights from Des Moines International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport take approximately 0h 44m to 3h 18m. The route covers 298 miles.
10 airlines operate nonstop service: American Airlines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, avianca, British Airways, Copa Airlines, Aer Lingus, Emirates, SkyWest Airlines and United Airlines.
There are approximately 297 nonstop flights per week from DSM to ORD. The return direction has about 262 weekly flights.
Yes, 1-stop connections are available through CID, ALO, IND, STL, MEM, CVG, IAD, RIL, BWI, DAL, HDN, ELP, SLC, MTJ, SCF, ATW, IFP, YYC, YVR, AUS, BOS, SAT, SNA, LGA, RSW, MSP, MIA, DEN, IAH, DFW, CLT, ATL, BNA, DTW, DCA, PHX, MCO, LAX, LAS, FLL and SRQ. These options provide additional schedule flexibility.
Yes, return flights from ORD to DSM are available. Use the direction toggle at the top to view the return schedule.
Click the 'Search Flights' button to check availability and prices on Google Flights. You can also compare airlines and schedules on this page to find the best option.
See the On-Time Performance section for the latest delay data at both airports. This shows departure and arrival reliability to help you plan.
Route data is updated regularly from official airline schedules. On-time performance data comes from recent airport delay snapshots.
United operates the primary nonstop DSM–ORD service, running 2–4 daily departures using regional jets (SkyWest or GoJet operating as United Express). American also connects DSM to its ORD hub. Delta and Frontier have each served the route at different periods. Flight time is 1 hour 5 minutes. Des Moines International (DSM) has a single terminal; all carriers operate from the same concourse. At ORD, United Express arrivals use Terminal 2.
I-80 connects Des Moines to Chicago in 300 miles and 4 hours 30 minutes in light traffic. The drive becomes less practical in winter when I-80 through Iowa and Illinois sees snow and ice. Total door-to-door by air, including airport time at both ends, is roughly 2 hours 45 minutes. Greyhound and Megabus also serve the corridor with 5–6 hour trips. For a single traveler with minimal luggage, the drive is convenient in summer; in winter or with a tight schedule, flying is faster.
DSM has limited nonstop international and cross-country service, making ORD a key connection point. United's ORD hub connects DSM travelers to Frankfurt, London, and Tokyo nonstop. American's ORD hub reaches London Heathrow and a broad domestic network. Popular westbound connections from ORD for DSM passengers include LAX, SFO, and SEA. The Iowa legislature, agriculture sector, and insurance industry generate government and corporate travel that uses ORD for international destinations.
Des Moines to O'Hare: Iowa's Gateway to United's Global Hub
DSM–ORD connects Des Moines International, serving Iowa's capital and largest city, to O'Hare, United's global hub and one of the world's busiest airports. United operates the route primarily through its regional subsidiaries (SkyWest, GoJet) under the United Express brand, using Embraer 175 or CRJ-700 aircraft. Block time is 1 hour 5 minutes. The route functions as a feeder from Iowa's largest metro into United's international network: passengers heading to Europe, Asia, and Latin America who cannot fly nonstop from DSM use ORD as the connection point. Des Moines has grown its direct service in recent years, but ORD remains essential for destinations DSM cannot sustain nonstop.
Surface Alternatives and Route Scale
Iowa is well-connected to Chicago by road, and the I-80 corridor sees significant car and bus traffic between the two cities. Megabus and FlixBus offer budget surface alternatives at 5–6 hours. For time-sensitive travel or winter journeys, the 1 hour 5 minute flight retains a decisive advantage over a winter highway crossing. Des Moines' economy includes Principal Financial Group, Wells Fargo's Iowa operations, and large agricultural commodity trading firms, which generate consistent business travel demand on DSM–ORD. United's regional jet operation keeps per-seat costs manageable on a route where 737 density would be hard to fill consistently.