Des Moines to Chicago Flights DSM β†’ ORD

Des Moines International Airport β†’ Chicago O'Hare International Airport

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Des Moines, US β†’ πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Chicago, US

The Des Moines to Chicago route connects Des Moines International Airport (DSM) in US with Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in US. This short-haul flight covers approximately 298 miles (480 km) with a typical flight time of 1h 3m. This route is served by 8 airlines: SkyWest, United, Envoy Air and others. AirportRoutes has tracked 35 daily flights on this route.

About This Route

Route Overview

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The Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago (ORD) route is a popular connection for both business and leisure travelers, linking Iowa's capital city with a major U.S. hub. The route facilitates connections to destinations worldwide via O'Hare. Typical flight duration is approximately 1 hour and 32 minutes for non-stop flights. Travelers choose this route for its convenience and efficiency, avoiding long drives. There are generally 3-5 non-stop flights per day. The flight distance is approximately 299 miles.

Travel Tips

To secure better prices, aim to book your flight 40 days (6 weeks) in advance. Thursdays are often the cheapest days to fly, and Sundays are the best days to book flights. At Des Moines International Airport (DSM), arrive at least 90 minutes before your scheduled departure to allow ample time for check-in and security. At Chicago O'Hare (ORD), check your arrival terminal in advance, as American Airlines typically arrives at Terminal 3, while United uses Terminals 1 and 2. If you have a layover at O'Hare, the Blue Line connects to downtown Chicago, but allow at least 6 hours for a comfortable excursion. Expect a smooth, short flight with in-flight service depending on the airline and time of day.

Destination Highlights

Chicago is a vibrant city offering a wealth of attractions. Top attractions include Millennium Park, home to the iconic "Bean" sculpture, Navy Pier, a lively destination with rides, restaurants, and shops, and the Art Institute of Chicago, boasting world-class collections. Unique experiences include taking an architecture river tour or visiting the Skydeck at Willis Tower for panoramic views. Explore diverse neighborhoods like Pilsen, Logan Square, or Bronzeville for authentic Chicago culture and dining. Don't miss trying Chicago's famous deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, or Italian beef sandwiches.

Best Time to Fly

Consider seasonal weather when planning your trip to Chicago. Summers (June-August) are warm and bustling, but also the most crowded. For good weather and lower prices, consider visiting in September or October. Be aware that flights tend to be full during the summer. December is the best month to get the cheapest flight.

AI-Generated Content: This information was compiled using AI from web sources on Dec 25, 2025. Content may not be current; please verify with airlines before booking.

Airport Information

Departure Airport

Des Moines International Airport

ICAO Code:
KDSM
IATA Code:
DSM
City:
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Des Moines
Country:
US
Elevation:
958 ft

Destination Airport

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

ICAO Code:
KORD
IATA Code:
ORD
City:
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Chicago
Country:
US
Elevation:
680 ft

Route Statistics

8

Operators

35

Daily Flights

298

Miles

1h 3m

Flight Duration

Route Map

Great Circle
Flight route map from Des Moines to Chicago

Operating Airlines

Airline ICAO IATA
SkyWest SKW OO
United UAL UA
Envoy Air ENY MQ
Republic RPA YX
American Airlines AAL AA
Air Wisconsin AWI ZW
Piedmont PDT PT
GoJet GJS G7

Flight Schedule Pattern

Day Flights Observed Frequency Activity
Monday 55 13%
Tuesday 69 17%
Wednesday 74 18%
Thursday 37 9%
Friday 54 13%
Saturday 57 14%
Sunday 71 17%

Pattern Analysis

Data Points: 417
API observations used to build this analysis
Weekdays: 289 flights
Weekend: 128 flights
Business Route More active on weekdays

All Flight Routes

8 Routes
Note: This table shows aggregated route data by airline. Each airline may operate multiple daily flights at different times. See the "Spotted Departure Times" section below for all observed departure times.
Airline Flight Numbers Aircraft Type Typical Time Days Active Last Seen Status
AWI6229 AWI3601 AWI3703 E170 13:18 1:18 PM (Representative)
M T W T F S S
Dec 23, 2025 Active
- B738 -
M T W T F S S
Oct 28, 2025 Active
Envoy Air
ENY / MQ
ENY4136 ENY3469 ENY3857 ENY3421 ENY3703 E170 07:10 7:10 AM (Representative)
M T W T F S S
Feb 4, 2026 Active
GoJet
GJS / G7
GJS4182 CRJ7 11:30 11:30 AM (Representative)
M T W T F S S
Feb 1, 2026 Active
Piedmont
PDT / PT
- CRJ7 -
M T W T F S S
Oct 21, 2025 Active
Republic
RPA / YX
RPA3433 RPA3505 RPA3547 RPA4398 RPA4711 E75L 11:35 11:35 AM (Representative)
M T W T F S S
Dec 31, 2025 Active
SkyWest
SKW / OO
SKW4996 SKW5219 SKW6292 SKW6364 SKW6229 CRJ7 17:01 5:01 PM (Representative)
M T W T F S S
Feb 5, 2026 Active
United
UAL / UA
UAL1363 UAL312 UAL1568 UAL2138 UAL3047 A319 15:35 3:35 PM (Representative)
M T W T F S S
Feb 5, 2026 Active
Total Routes: 8
Active Routes: 8
Unique Airlines: 8
Aircraft Types: 8

Spotted Departure Times

Departure Time Operator ICAO IATA
07:10 7:10 AM Envoy Air ENY MQ
11:30 11:30 AM GoJet GJS G7
11:35 11:35 AM Republic RPA YX
13:18 1:18 PM Air Wisconsin AWI ZW
15:35 3:35 PM United UAL UA
17:01 5:01 PM SkyWest SKW OO

Time Information

Times are shown in the departure airport's local timezone (KDSM - America/Chicago).

Total Departure Times: 6
Time Range:
07:10 - 17:01
These are typical departure times observed from actual flights. Times may vary by season and schedule changes.