American Airlines to reintroduce direct flight from Des Moines to Philadelphia

The Des Moines International Airport announced that American Airlines will reintroduce a nonstop flight to Philadelphia International Airport after a nearly five-year hiatus. The route will return with daily service in June 2025.

With the addition of this direct flight, American Airlines will offer nonstop flights to eight cities from Des Moines: Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, New York, Phoenix, Washington, D.C. and seasonal service to Miami.

Previous Des Moines to Philadelphia route canceled during COVID-19 pandemic

American Airlines originally launched service from Des Moines to Philadelphia in May 2018 using Embraer 175 regional jets with 76 seats.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Philadelphia was American Airline's primary connector for transatlantic travelers headed to Europe, The Points Guy reported . However, without business travel in 2020, the airline paused and eventually canceled routes from both Des Moines and Omaha to Philadelphia.

More: Travel for under $200 with 10 flights from Des Moines in September

How often will American Airlines fly direct from Des Moines to Philadelphia?

The route will operate twice daily, using CRJ-900 regional jets with 76 to 79 seats with:

Des Moines to Philadelphia:

• Depart DSM: 6 a.m.
• Arrive PHL: 9:40 a.m.
• Depart DSM: 2 p.m.
• Arrive PHL: 5:40 p.m.

Philadelphia to Des Moines:

• Depart PHL: 10:55 a.m.
• Arrive DSM: 1 p.m.
• Depart PHL: 6:30 p.m.
• Arrive DSM: 8:32 p.m.

Philadelphia - Des Moines route offers connections abroad

Philadelphia is a key gateway on the East Coast and a hub for American Airlines’ international operations, according to the Des Moines airport. From Philadelphia, travelers can connect to more than 80 destinations across the U.S. and 17 trans-Atlantic destinations.

American Airlines also announced new routes from Philadelphia to Edinburgh, Scotland and Milan. The airline also renewed its seasonal routes to Copenhagen, Denmark; Naples, Italy; and Nice, France.

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR .

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: American Airlines to reintroduce direct flight from Des Moines to Philadelphia