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Des Moines

$44+ 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 12/27. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
LAX — DSM
Dec 6 — Dec 131
Sat 12/6
Sat 12/13
1 adult, Economy
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Find 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 November 6, 2025.

This Cheapflightsfares deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/5. 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.
Fri 12/51:43 pmLAS - DSM
Nonstop2h 55mAllegiant Air
Mon 12/87:28 pmDSM - LAS
Nonstop3h 16mAllegiant Air
Deal found 11/5$107
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/5. 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.
Fri 12/51:43 pmLAS - DSM
Nonstop2h 55mMultiple Airlines
Mon 12/87:58 pmDSM - LAS
1 stop5h 44mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/5$128
This Cheapflightsfares deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/5. 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.
Fri 11/145:48 pmLAS - DSM
Nonstop2h 52mAllegiant Air
Mon 11/173:45 pmDSM - LAS
Nonstop3h 13mAllegiant Air
Deal found 11/5$129
This Gotogate deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/5. 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 11/215:54 pmLAS - DSM
Nonstop2h 51mMultiple Airlines
Tue 11/257:46 pmDSM - LAS
1 stop5h 50mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/5$133
This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/4. 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.
Mon 12/86:30 amSFO - DSM
1 stop10h 33mFrontier
Fri 12/127:58 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop6h 26mFrontier
Deal found 11/4$134
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/4. 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 12/56:40 amLAX - DSM
1 stop10h 23mFrontier
Mon 12/87:58 pmDSM - LAX
1 stop6h 31mFrontier
Deal found 11/4$134
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/6. 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 12/56:34 amSAN - DSM
1 stop10h 29mFrontier
Fri 12/127:58 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop6h 01mFrontier
Deal found 11/6$138
This Cheapflightsfares deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/6. 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.
Thu 11/2010:36 amLAS - DSM
Nonstop2h 51mAllegiant Air
Mon 11/243:48 pmDSM - LAS
Nonstop3h 16mAllegiant Air
Deal found 11/6$142
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/5. 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 11/219:10 amLAS - DSM
1 stop7h 28mFrontier
Tue 11/257:46 pmDSM - LAS
1 stop5h 50mFrontier
Deal found 11/5$144
This Booking.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/6. 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.
Thu 11/134:20 pmLAS - DSM
Nonstop2h 52mAllegiant Air
Mon 11/173:45 pmDSM - LAS
Nonstop3h 13mAllegiant Air
Deal found 11/6$151
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/5. 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.
Fri 12/59:43 amLAS - DSM
1 stop7h 20mFrontier
Mon 12/87:58 pmDSM - LAS
2 stops16h 25mFrontier
Deal found 11/5$158
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/6. 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.
Sat 12/64:30 pmLAS - DSM
Nonstop2h 50mSouthwest
Sat 12/131:15 pmDSM - LAS
Nonstop3h 15mSouthwest
Deal found 11/6$177

Cheap 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 November 6, 2025.

Most accurate provider

Mytrip
3 stars

Most trusted provider

Mytrip
3 stars

Round-trip from

$107
(Cheapflightsfares)

One-way from

$44
(Trip.com)

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

January

Average price

$413

Good round-trip deal

$134 or less

Good one-way deal

$192 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 ($4 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 November 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.
Search Deals

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 November 6, 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

San FranciscoDes Moines

SFO - DSM

SFODSM

San Francisco

Mon 12/8

6:30 am-7:03 pm

1 stop10h 33m

Des Moines

Fri 12/12

7:58 pm-12:24 am

1 stop6h 26m

$134

Las VegasDes Moines

LAS - DSM

LASDSM

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Thu 11/20

10:36 am-3:27 pm

Nonstop2h 51m

Des Moines

Mon 11/24

3:48 pm-5:04 pm

Nonstop3h 16m

$142

Las VegasDes Moines

LAS - DSM

LASDSM

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Thu 11/13

4:20 pm-9:12 pm

Nonstop2h 52m

Des Moines

Mon 11/17

3:45 pm-4:58 pm

Nonstop3h 13m

$151

Las VegasDes Moines

LAS - DSM

LASDSM

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Sat 12/6

4:30 pm-9:20 pm

Nonstop2h 50m

Des Moines

Sat 12/13

3:35 pm-7:15 pm

1 stop5h 40m

$187

Las VegasDes Moines

LAS - DSM

LASDSM

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Thu 11/20

8:00 pm-6:38 pm

2 stops20h 38m

Des Moines

Mon 11/24

3:48 pm-5:04 pm

Nonstop3h 16m

$210

Las VegasDes Moines

LAS - DSM

LASDSM

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Tue 12/2

12:44 am-10:38 am

1 stop7h 54m

Des Moines

Wed 12/10

6:33 pm-12:27 am

1 stop7h 54m

$217

Los AngelesDes Moines

LAX - DSM

LAXDSM

Los Angeles

Mon 12/15

10:39 pm-10:25 am

2 stops33h 46m

Des Moines

Tue 12/23

2:35 pm-7:42 am

1 stop19h 07m

$220

Las VegasDes Moines

LAS - DSM

LASDSM

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Wed 11/12

12:59 am-1:56 pm

1 stop10h 57m

Des Moines

Mon 11/17

2:32 pm-11:29 pm

1 stop10h 57m

$222

Santa AnaDes Moines

SNA - DSM

SNADSM

Santa Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty

Thu 11/20

9:37 am-2:54 pm

Nonstop3h 17m

Des Moines

Mon 11/24

3:48 pm-12:32 pm

1 stop22h 44m

$231

BurbankDes Moines

BUR - DSM

BURDSM

Burbank Bob Hope

Wed 12/3

5:42 pm-3:31 pm

1 stop19h 49m

Des Moines

Wed 12/10

8:00 am-9:26 am

2 stops27h 26m

$232

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 11/6

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 November 6, 2025.

One of the essential ways to save on airfare from California to Des Moines is to remain as flexible as possible. Flights that are at noon tend to be the most expensive. A flight in the afternoon could potentially save you up to 16% on airfare.

What is the cheapest day to fly from California to Des Moines?

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly round-trip from California to Des Moines. Price data was last updated on December 16, 2024.

Travelers seeking maximum savings on their California to Des Moines flight should consider departing on Sunday afternoons when fares are most often at their lowest. Friday evenings flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.

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 November 6, 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 2h 50m. Fly via Frontier, Allegiant Air, or Southwest 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 Allegiant Air. Other airlines that offer cheap prices include Frontier from $79 and Southwest from $89 one-way.

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

    The most popular route from California to Des Moines is Los Angeles - Des Moines. You may also consider San Francisco - 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 $203. While the most popular route (Los Angeles - Des Moines) can be booked for $198 on average, our data indicates $343 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
Johnston
Altoona
Boone
Ames
West Des Moines
Ankeny

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Alternative routes for California to Des Moines

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
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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 November 6, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Allegiant AirCheapest$75Average$199FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time88%
DeltaCheapest$148Average$394FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
FrontierCheapest$149Average$272FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
United AirlinesCheapest$233Average$495FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
American AirlinesCheapest$276Average$425FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
SouthwestCheapest$305Average$506FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%

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