Des Moines to Chicago (DSM–ORD) — 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–ORD is served by 4 airlines with nonstop service. United Airlines, American Airlines and SkyWest Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 298 miles in approximately 1h 40m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA United Airlines Also: AC, AV, CM, EK, NH, NZ | 78 | 319, 737, 738, 739, CR5, E75L, E7W | 1h36-1h43 | Star Alliance | AC, AV, CM, EK, NH, NZ | |
| AA American Airlines Also: AS, BA, EI, IB, JL, QR | 61 | CR7, E70, E75, E75S | 1h36-1h55 | Oneworld | AS, BA, EI, IB, JL, QR | |
| OO SkyWest Airlines | 2 | – | – | – | – | |
| G7 GoJet Airlines | 0 | – | – | – | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Chicago from Des Moines
| Metric | DSM→ORD | FOD→ORD | ALO→ORD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from DSM | – | 76 mi | 96 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Weekly flights | 331 | 7 | 22 |
| Flight time | 1h 40m | 1h 28m | 1h 24m |
| Departure OTP | 100% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
DSM: CDT · ORD: CDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Des Moines, it's 6:00 PM in Chicago.
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.
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.
DSM–ORD Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
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.