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Des Moines

$63+ Cheap flights from California to Des Moines (DSM)

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 2/27. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
LAX — DSM
Jan 27 — Feb 31
Tue 1/27
Tue 2/3
1 adult, Economy
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Cheap flight deals from California to Des Moines

Cheapest flights from California to Des Moines
Explore the most affordable flight options available from California to Des Moines. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on December 28, 2025.

This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/26. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 12/3111:09 amLAX - DSM
1 stop7h 36mDelta
Mon 1/512:04 pmDSM - LAX
1 stop10h 58mDelta
Deal found 12/26$423
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/25. 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.
Fri 12/268:40 amLAX - DSM
Nonstop3h 37mAmerican Airlines
Fri 1/28:45 amDSM - LAX
1 stop9h 25mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 12/25$443
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/26. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 12/315:30 amLAX - DSM
1 stop9h 22mDelta
Sun 1/45:55 pmDSM - LAX
1 stop7h 41mDelta
Deal found 12/26$446
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/26. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 12/2811:11 amSNA - DSM
1 stop22h 45mMultiple Airlines
Sun 1/411:50 amDSM - SNA
1 stop24h 26mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 12/26$448
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/25. 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 Frontier is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 12/266:45 amONT - DSM
1 stop10h 59mFrontier
Fri 1/28:29 pmDSM - ONT
1 stop5h 30mFrontier
Deal found 12/25$452
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/25. 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 United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 12/267:00 amLAX - DSM
1 stop9h 05mUnited Airlines
Fri 1/25:30 amDSM - LAX
1 stop6h 06mUnited Airlines
Deal found 12/25$453
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/26. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 12/313:30 pmLAX - DSM
2 stops26h 30mMultiple Airlines
Mon 1/512:46 pmDSM - LAX
1 stop9h 45mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 12/26$506
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/25. 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.
Fri 12/264:05 pmLAX - DSM
1 stop5h 05mSouthwest
Fri 1/26:35 amDSM - LAX
2 stops7h 50mSouthwest
Deal found 12/25$511
This Gotogate deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/25. 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 Gotogate is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 12/266:25 amSAN - DSM
1 stop11h 19mFrontier
Fri 1/28:29 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop24h 46mFrontier
Deal found 12/25$512
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/26. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 12/313:30 pmLAX - DSM
2 stops26h 30mMultiple Airlines
Sun 1/411:50 amDSM - LAX
1 stop26h 26mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 12/26$512
This Cheapflightsfares deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/26. 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 Cheapflightsfares is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 12/289:36 amSNA - DSM
Nonstop3h 18mAllegiant Air
Sun 1/47:00 amDSM - SNA
Nonstop3h 46mAllegiant Air
Deal found 12/26$532
This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/26. 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 CheapOair is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 12/276:24 amSFO - DSM
1 stop11h 20mFrontier
Fri 1/28:29 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop13h 54mFrontier
Deal found 12/26$543

Find flight deals from California to Des Moines

Keep the following information in mind while searching for California to Des Moines flight deals. Data was last updated December 28, 2025.

Most accurate provider

Mytrip
3 stars

Most trusted provider

Mytrip
3 stars

Round-trip from

$90
(Booking.com)

One-way from

$63
(Kiwi.com)

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

September

Average price

$457

Good round-trip deal

$127 or less

Good one-way deal

$92 or less
Provider with most accurate pricing for Los Angeles-Des Moines flight deals.
Search Deals
Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for Los Angeles-Des Moines flights.
Search Deals
From California to Des Moines
Search Deals
One-way flight from California to Des Moines
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 1% potential increase in price ($6 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($6 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in December 2025
Search Deals
Price to beat on a round-trip flight from California to Des Moines.
Search Deals
Price to beat on a one-way flight from California to Des Moines.
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Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from California to Des Moines 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 December 28, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from California to Des Moines that are best for you.

Fly from

California

Fly to

Des Moines

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Las VegasDes Moines

LAS - DSM

LASDSM

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Fri 2/6

10:39 am-3:40 pm

Nonstop3h 01m

Des Moines

Sun 2/8

8:30 am-9:49 am

Nonstop3h 19m

$90

Santa AnaDes Moines

SNA - DSM

SNADSM

Santa Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty

Sun 1/25

9:37 am-3:03 pm

Nonstop3h 26m

Des Moines

Sun 2/1

7:00 am-8:47 am

Nonstop3h 47m

$116

Santa AnaDes Moines

SNA - DSM

SNADSM

Santa Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty

Thu 1/22

9:37 am-3:03 pm

Nonstop3h 26m

Des Moines

Sun 1/25

7:00 am-8:47 am

Nonstop3h 47m

$121

Las VegasDes Moines

LAS - DSM

LASDSM

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Thu 2/12

9:49 am-2:42 pm

Nonstop2h 53m

Des Moines

Sun 2/15

7:30 am-8:59 am

Nonstop3h 29m

$129

Santa AnaDes Moines

SNA - DSM

SNADSM

Santa Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty

Thu 1/8

9:37 am-3:03 pm

Nonstop3h 26m

Des Moines

Sun 1/11

7:00 am-8:47 am

Nonstop3h 47m

$134

Las VegasDes Moines

LAS - DSM

LASDSM

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Fri 1/16

10:39 am-3:40 pm

Nonstop3h 01m

Des Moines

Mon 1/19

8:18 pm-2:46 pm

1 stop20h 28m

$172

OntarioDes Moines

ONT - DSM

ONTDSM

Ontario

Thu 2/19

6:05 am-6:47 pm

1 stop10h 42m

Des Moines

Mon 2/23

7:17 pm-9:34 pm

1 stop28h 17m

$176

Las VegasDes Moines

LAS - DSM

LASDSM

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Fri 2/6

10:39 am-3:40 pm

Nonstop3h 01m

Des Moines

Sun 2/15

7:27 pm-10:53 am

2 stops17h 26m

$180

San FranciscoDes Moines

SFO - DSM

SFODSM

San Francisco

Thu 2/19

8:48 am-6:47 pm

1 stop7h 59m

Des Moines

Mon 2/23

7:17 pm-12:28 am

1 stop7h 11m

$182

Los AngelesDes Moines

LAX - DSM

LAXDSM

Los Angeles

Thu 2/19

6:20 am-6:47 pm

1 stop10h 27m

Des Moines

Mon 2/23

7:17 pm-12:30 am

1 stop7h 13m

$182

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 12/27

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

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Des Moines from California 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 California to Des Moines

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

Currently, July is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from California to Des Moines (average of $75). Flying from California to Des Moines in August is currently the most expensive (average of $172). 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 CA to DSM?

Find hourly flight availability from California to Des Moines. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated December 28, 2025.

When flying from California to Des Moines, the time of day you decide to fly out makes little to no difference towards the overall price you’ll pay on tickets.

Weekly flight availability from California to Des Moines

Explore weekly flight availability from California to Des Moines. Discover flights operating on different days of the week, giving you the flexibility to choose a travel day that best fits your plans. Compare info to find the most convenient option for your journey. Data last updated December 28, 2025.

The most flights from USCA to DSM are scheduled on a Monday (1 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Monday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (1 on average).

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from California to Des Moines. 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 into for flights to Des Moines from California?

    Des Moines (DSM) is the airport you will fly into if you book a flight from California to Des Moines. It is only a 3.6 mi journey from Des Moines (DSM) to Des Moines’s city center.

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

    Flights from California to Des Moines have been viewed 2 times in the past calendar month.

  • How long is the flight from California to Des Moines?

    There are many flights that can get you from California to Des Moines in 3h 01m. Fly via Allegiant Air or Frontier to get the fastest option. California and Des Moines are separated by a distance of 1212 mi. Both multi-stop and nonstop flights can be found to your destination and back.

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

    One-way options have recently been found by users for as low as $55 on Frontier. Other airlines that offer cheap prices include Allegiant Air from $60 and American Airlines from $84 one-way.

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

    The most popular route from California to Des Moines is San Diego - Des Moines. You may also consider Los Angeles - Des Moines or Ontario - Des Moines.

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

    Looking at all options, your cheapest flight can be booked for $137. While the most popular route (San Diego - Des Moines) can be booked for $214 on average, our data indicates $350 when flying from California to Des Moines.

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

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

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

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

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

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from California to Des Moines 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 California to Des Moines?

    Currently, July is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from California to Des Moines (average of $75). Flying from California to Des Moines in August is currently the most expensive (average of $172). 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

Traveling to a place near Des Moines?

Book flights to Des Moines if you plan to visit one of these locations
Altoona
Johnston
Boone
Ames
Clive
West Des Moines
Ankeny

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Alternative routes for California to Des Moines

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Top 6 airlines flying from California to Des Moines

Discover the top 6 airlines that operate flights from California to Des Moines. 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 December 28, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Allegiant AirCheapest$75Average$197FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time88%
DeltaCheapest$148Average$384FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
FrontierCheapest$149Average$275FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
United AirlinesCheapest$233Average$463FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
American AirlinesCheapest$262Average$422FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
SouthwestCheapest$286Average$524FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%

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