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$45+ Cheap flights from Des Moines (DSM) to California

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 8/11. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DSM — LAX
Jul 9 — Jul 161
Wed 7/9
Wed 7/16
1 adult, Economy
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Cheap flight deals from Des Moines to California

Keep the following information in mind while searching for Des Moines to California flight deals. Data was last updated July 4, 2025.

Round-trip from

$90
(Mytrip)

One-way from

$45
(Booking.com)

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

August

Average price

$326

Good round-trip deal

$127 or less

Good one-way deal

$63 or less
From Des Moines to California
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One-way flight from Des Moines to California
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 9% potential increase in price ($40 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($6 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in July 2025
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Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Des Moines to California.
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Price to beat on a one-way flight from Des Moines to California.
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Find flight deals from Des Moines to California

Cheapest flights from Des Moines to California
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Des Moines to California. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on July 4, 2025.

This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/2. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 8/189:37 pmDSM - LAS
Nonstop3h 16mAllegiant Air
Fri 8/225:46 pmLAS - DSM
Nonstop2h 56mAllegiant Air
Deal found 7/2$90
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/3. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 8/287:00 amDSM - SNA
Nonstop3h 47mAllegiant Air
Sun 8/319:37 amSNA - DSM
Nonstop3h 18mAllegiant Air
Deal found 7/3$114
This Booking.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/2. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Booking.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 7/182:39 pmDSM - SAN
Nonstop3h 31mAllegiant Air
Fri 7/255:00 pmSAN - DSM
Nonstop3h 35mAllegiant Air
Deal found 7/2$128
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/3. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 8/182:54 pmDSM - LAS
1 stop7h 32mMultiple Airlines
Fri 8/225:46 pmLAS - DSM
Nonstop2h 56mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 7/3$147
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/2. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 9/1811:40 amDSM - LAS
Nonstop3h 10mSouthwest
Mon 9/2211:45 amLAS - DSM
Nonstop3h 00mSouthwest
Deal found 7/2$157
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/3. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 7/167:30 amDSM - SAN
1 stop12h 25mMultiple Airlines
Mon 7/285:00 pmSAN - DSM
Nonstop3h 35mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 7/3$163
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/2. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 8/73:44 pmDSM - LAX
1 stop6h 32mMultiple Airlines
Thu 8/149:22 amLAX - DSM
1 stop11h 40mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 7/2$171
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/2. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 10/17:30 amDSM - SNA
1 stop14h 15mMultiple Airlines
Sun 10/510:25 amSNA - DSM
Nonstop3h 19mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 7/2$175
This Priceline deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/3. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Priceline is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 8/187:33 pmDSM - LAS
1 stop6h 01mFrontier
Fri 8/229:04 amLAS - DSM
1 stop6h 31mFrontier
Deal found 7/3$180
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/3. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 8/233:49 pmDSM - LAS
1 stop6h 27mAmerican Airlines
Sun 8/2411:55 pmLAS - DSM
1 stop6h 42mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 7/3$187
This Priceline deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/2. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Priceline is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 8/117:33 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop6h 19mFrontier
Mon 8/1811:21 amSAN - DSM
1 stop5h 27mFrontier
Deal found 7/2$187
This Priceline deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/3. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Priceline is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 8/117:33 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop6h 46mFrontier
Mon 8/186:37 amSFO - DSM
1 stop10h 11mFrontier
Deal found 7/3$192

Cheapflights Fare Finder

Customize your flight search to find flights from Des Moines to California that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated July 4, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Des Moines to California that are best for you.

Fly from

Des Moines

Fly to

California

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Des MoinesLas Vegas

DSM - LAS

DSMLAS

Des Moines

Mon 8/18

9:37 pm-10:53 pm

Nonstop3h 16m

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Fri 8/22

5:46 pm-10:42 pm

Nonstop2h 56m

$90

Des MoinesSanta Ana

DSM - SNA

DSMSNA

Des Moines

Thu 8/28

7:00 am-8:47 am

Nonstop3h 47m

Santa Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty

Sun 8/31

9:37 am-2:55 pm

Nonstop3h 18m

$114

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Fri 7/18

2:39 pm-4:10 pm

Nonstop3h 31m

San Diego

Fri 7/25

5:00 pm-10:35 pm

Nonstop3h 35m

$128

Des MoinesLas Vegas

DSM - LAS

DSMLAS

Des Moines

Mon 8/18

2:54 pm-8:26 pm

1 stop7h 32m

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Fri 8/22

5:46 pm-10:42 pm

Nonstop2h 56m

$147

Des MoinesLas Vegas

DSM - LAS

DSMLAS

Des Moines

Thu 9/18

11:40 am-12:50 pm

Nonstop3h 10m

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Mon 9/22

11:45 am-4:45 pm

Nonstop3h 00m

$157

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Wed 7/16

7:30 am-5:55 pm

1 stop12h 25m

San Diego

Mon 7/28

5:00 pm-10:35 pm

Nonstop3h 35m

$163

Des MoinesLos Angeles

DSM - LAX

DSMLAX

Des Moines

Thu 8/7

3:44 pm-8:16 pm

1 stop6h 32m

Los Angeles

Thu 8/14

9:22 am-11:02 pm

1 stop11h 40m

$171

Des MoinesSanta Ana

DSM - SNA

DSMSNA

Des Moines

Wed 10/1

7:30 am-7:45 pm

1 stop14h 15m

Santa Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty

Sun 10/5

10:25 am-3:44 pm

Nonstop3h 19m

$175

Des MoinesLas Vegas

DSM - LAS

DSMLAS

Des Moines

Mon 8/18

7:33 pm-11:34 pm

1 stop6h 01m

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Fri 8/22

9:04 am-5:35 pm

1 stop6h 31m

$180

Des MoinesLas Vegas

DSM - LAS

DSMLAS

Des Moines

Sat 8/23

3:49 pm-8:16 pm

1 stop6h 27m

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Sun 8/24

11:55 pm-8:37 am

1 stop6h 42m

$187

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 7/3

Showing 1-10 of 60 results
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Best time to book a flight from Des Moines to California

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to California from Des Moines with our price prediction graph.
Estimated round-trip price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from Des Moines to California

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Des Moines to California?

Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to California (average of $246). Flying from Des Moines to California in March is currently the most expensive (average of $326). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from DSM to CA?

Find hourly flight availability from Des Moines to California. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated July 4, 2025.

Regardless of the time of day you decide to fly, the ticket price will remain around the same. Book flights from Des Moines to California as you normally would.

Reviews of airlines servicing California

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to California. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to California. Reviews last updated July 4, 2025.
Read reviews from past customers who have flown Alaska Airlines, Southwest, and Delta from Des Moines to California. Reviews also offer insight into each airline's entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Comfort

7.8

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Comfort

7.8

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,266 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Comfort

7.8

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Delta
8.0
Very good
7,982 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Comfort

7.8

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,844 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Comfort

7.8

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
American Airlines
7.2
Good
10,000 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Comfort

7.8

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Des Moines to California. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.

  • What airport do you fly from for flights from Des Moines to California?

    Des Moines (DSM), located 3.6 mi from the city center, is the airport you fly out of when you book flights from Des Moines to California.

  • How popular is this Des Moines to California flight route?

    Within the past month, 2 users have taken a look at flights from Des Moines to California.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Des Moines to California one-way?

    The cheapest airline one-way is Allegiant Air, with whom users have recently found tickets for as low as $45. However, be on the lookout for offers from Southwest and American Airlines, as they are both options that can get you from Des Moines to California for a low price.

  • What are the most popular routes from Des Moines to California?

    The most popular route from Des Moines to California is Des Moines - Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl. You may also consider Des Moines - San Francisco or Des Moines - Los Angeles.

  • What are the cheapest flights from Des Moines to California?

    While on average a flight from Des Moines to California is generally $1,198, our data shows the cheapest flight currently is $310. When looking at the most popular route, (Des Moines - Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl), you can expect to pay $90 for that flight.

  • Can I find deals for flights from Des Moines to California that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on Des Moines to California flights, Cheapflights offers vacation packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from Des Moines to California?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Des Moines to California.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from Des Moines to California?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Des Moines to California by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Des Moines to California?

    Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to California (average of $246). Flying from Des Moines to California in March is currently the most expensive (average of $326). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

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Alternative routes for Des Moines to California

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
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Top 6 airlines flying from Des Moines to California

Discover the top 6 airlines that operate flights from Des Moines to California. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated July 4, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Allegiant AirCheapest$106Average$202FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time88%
FrontierCheapest$108Average$205FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
American AirlinesCheapest$250Average$413FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$253Average$456FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
DeltaCheapest$265Average$399FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
SouthwestCheapest$332Average$458FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%

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