DSM to MDW: Distance and Flight Time
The distance from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is 491 km (305 mi). A typical nonstop flight covers it in about 1h 5m, heading east. The distance is the same in either direction (MDW to DSM).
How far is it from Des Moines to Chicago?
The great-circle distance between Des Moines International Airport (DSM) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is 491 km (305 mi, 265 nautical miles). That is the straight-line distance; a real flight is a little longer because of air-traffic routing.
How long is the flight from DSM to MDW?
A nonstop flight typically takes about 1h 5m. This is an estimate from the distance; actual block times depend on the aircraft, winds and the exact routing. MDW is roughly east of DSM.
How is the DSM to MDW route written in code?
The pair is written DSM-MDW in IATA codes and KDSM-KMDW in ICAO codes, the form used on a flight plan. Des Moines International Airport is DSM (KDSM), Chicago Midway International Airport is MDW (KMDW).
| DSM | MDW | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Des Moines International Airport | Chicago Midway International Airport |
| ICAO code | KDSM | KMDW |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Elevation | 958 ft | 620 ft |
| Rank by connections | #480 | #116 |
Both ICAO codes start with K, the prefix ICAO assigns to the contiguous United States, so this is a route inside one ICAO region. How ICAO prefixes are laid out.
MDW sits 338 ft (103 m) lower than DSM, which is a real difference in air density on takeoff.
Airlines flying DSM to MDW
1 airline appear on this route in the open route dataset, 1 of them still listed as active. Each row gives the IATA code, the ICAO code and the radio callsign, which is what an air traffic controller hears:
| IATA | Airline | ICAO | Callsign | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WN | Southwest Airlines | SWA | Southwest | Active |
A further 1 carrier sell this pair as a codeshare without operating it: FL.
Route and carrier data comes from the OpenFlights open dataset, regenerated here on . It is a historical snapshot of scheduled connections, not a live schedule, and it includes codeshare listings, so some carriers shown may no longer operate the route or exist. How we build this · Data and sources.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Des Moines from Chicago?
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are 491 km (305 mi, 265 nautical miles) apart in a straight line.
How long is the flight from DSM to MDW?
A typical nonstop flight between DSM and MDW takes about 1h 5m. Actual times vary with aircraft type, winds and routing.
What direction is MDW from DSM?
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) lies roughly east of Des Moines International Airport (DSM).
Which airlines fly DSM to MDW?
1 airline appear on the DSM-MDW route in the open dataset, including Southwest Airlines.
Related routes
Other routes from Chicago (MDW):
DSM airport code · MDW airport code · Busiest airports worldwide