HomeSearch by dateVacation packagesHotelsFlight dealsCar rentalTravel tips & news
Des Moines

$56+ Cheap flights from Chicago (CHI) 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 3/28. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
CHI — DSM
Mar 5 — Mar 121
Thu 3/5
Thu 3/12
1 adult, Economy
We work with more than 300 partners to bring you better travel deals

Find cheap flights from Chicago to Des Moines with Cheapflights

1. Tell us where you want to go

Enter your travel information like dates, passengers, trip type (one-way or round trip), and preferred cabin class then click “Find deals”

2. Select your favorite providers

We find the providers serving your travel needs. Choose up to four travel providers to compare side-by-side for flights, hotels, or car rentals.

3. Compare prices and book

Review each provider’s pricing and select the best option for you! Book through your favorite provider’s website for a seamless experience.

Cheap flight deals from Chicago to Des Moines

Cheapest flights from Chicago to Des Moines
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Chicago to Des Moines. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on February 3, 2026.

This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/1. 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.
Wed 4/89:56 am
ORD
-
DSM
Nonstop1h 34m
American Airlines
Sat 4/116:00 am
DSM
-
ORD
Nonstop1h 41m
American Airlines
Deal found 2/1$151
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/1. 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 3/711:40 am
ORD
-
DSM
Nonstop1h 25m
American Airlines
Mon 3/91:37 pm
DSM
-
ORD
Nonstop1h 31m
American Airlines
Deal found 2/1$170
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/1. 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 3/288:59 pm
ORD
-
DSM
Nonstop1h 35m
American Airlines
Tue 3/311:37 pm
DSM
-
ORD
Nonstop1h 31m
American Airlines
Deal found 2/1$171
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/31. 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.
Thu 2/197:37 am
ORD
-
DSM
Nonstop1h 24m
American Airlines
Sat 2/286:00 am
DSM
-
ORD
Nonstop1h 33m
American Airlines
Deal found 1/31$174
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/2. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 4/86:15 am
ORD
-
DSM
1 stop3h 54m
Delta
Sat 4/116:15 am
DSM
-
ORD
1 stop7h 09m
Delta
Deal found 2/2$184
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/2. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 4/81:10 pm
MDW
-
DSM
1 stop3h 44m
Delta
Sat 4/1112:29 pm
DSM
-
MDW
1 stop5h 25m
Delta
Deal found 2/2$184
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/1. 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.
Tue 2/1710:18 pm
ORD
-
DSM
Nonstop1h 22m
American Airlines
Sat 2/215:00 am
DSM
-
ORD
Nonstop1h 29m
American Airlines
Deal found 2/1$198
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/2. 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 United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 3/168:10 pm
ORD
-
DSM
Nonstop1h 30m
United Airlines
Thu 3/1911:26 am
DSM
-
ORD
Nonstop1h 37m
United Airlines
Deal found 2/2$211
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/2. 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 United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 3/2912:59 pm
ORD
-
DSM
Nonstop1h 26m
United Airlines
Fri 4/38:04 am
DSM
-
ORD
Nonstop1h 32m
United Airlines
Deal found 2/2$214
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/1. 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 4/39:50 pm
MDW
-
DSM
Nonstop1h 25m
Southwest
Sun 4/54:40 pm
DSM
-
MDW
Nonstop1h 20m
Southwest
Deal found 2/1$214
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/2. 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 United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 3/68:50 am
ORD
-
DSM
Nonstop1h 40m
United Airlines
Sun 3/88:00 am
DSM
-
ORD
Nonstop1h 36m
United Airlines
Deal found 2/2$217
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/2. 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.
Sun 3/2910:10 pm
MDW
-
DSM
Nonstop1h 25m
Southwest
Fri 4/35:35 am
DSM
-
MDW
Nonstop1h 20m
Southwest
Deal found 2/2$217

Find flight deals from Chicago to Des Moines

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Chicago (CHI) to Des Moines (DSM). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated February 3, 2026.

Most accurate provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Most trusted provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Round-trip from

$151
(American Airlines)

One-way from

$56
(Southwest)

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

March

Average price

$243

Good round-trip deal

$240 or less

Good one-way deal

$113 or less
Provider with most accurate pricing for Chicago (CHI)-Des Moines flight deals.
Search Deals
Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for Chicago (CHI)-Des Moines flights.
Search Deals
From Chicago (CHI) to Des Moines
Search Deals
One-way flight from Chicago (CHI) to Des Moines
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 22% potential increase in price ($81 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 3% potential price decrease ($10 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in February 2026
Search Deals
Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Chicago (CHI) to Des Moines.
Search Deals
Price to beat on a one-way flight from Chicago (CHI) to Des Moines.
Search Deals

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Chicago 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 February 3, 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Chicago to Des Moines that are best for you.

Fly from

Chicago

Fly to

Des Moines

Route

Depart

Return

Price

ChicagoDes Moines

ORD - DSM

ORDDSM

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Wed 4/8

9:56 am-11:30 am

Nonstop1h 34m

Des Moines

Sat 4/11

6:00 am-7:41 am

Nonstop1h 41m

$151

ChicagoDes Moines

MDW - DSM

MDWDSM

Chicago Midway

Wed 4/8

1:10 pm-4:54 pm

1 stop3h 44m

Des Moines

Sat 4/11

12:29 pm-5:54 pm

1 stop5h 25m

$184

ChicagoDes Moines

ORD - DSM

ORDDSM

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Thu 3/26

10:18 pm-11:40 pm

Nonstop1h 22m

Des Moines

Sat 3/28

10:04 am-11:37 am

Nonstop1h 33m

$211

ChicagoDes Moines

ORD - DSM

ORDDSM

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Fri 4/10

12:49 pm-2:15 pm

Nonstop1h 26m

Des Moines

Sun 4/12

3:21 pm-4:53 pm

Nonstop1h 32m

$214

ChicagoDes Moines

ORD - DSM

ORDDSM

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sun 3/29

12:59 pm-2:25 pm

Nonstop1h 26m

Des Moines

Fri 4/3

8:04 am-9:36 am

Nonstop1h 32m

$214

ChicagoDes Moines

ORD - DSM

ORDDSM

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Fri 4/3

7:25 am-8:49 am

Nonstop1h 24m

Des Moines

Sun 4/5

5:00 am-6:29 am

Nonstop1h 29m

$214

ChicagoDes Moines

MDW - DSM

MDWDSM

Chicago Midway

Thu 3/5

9:50 pm-11:15 pm

Nonstop1h 25m

Des Moines

Sun 3/8

4:40 pm-6:00 pm

Nonstop1h 20m

$217

ChicagoDes Moines

MDW - DSM

MDWDSM

Chicago Midway

Sun 3/29

10:10 pm-11:35 pm

Nonstop1h 25m

Des Moines

Fri 4/3

5:35 am-6:55 am

Nonstop1h 20m

$217

ChicagoDes Moines

ORD - DSM

ORDDSM

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Sat 2/21

4:20 pm-5:47 pm

Nonstop1h 27m

Des Moines

Sat 2/28

3:24 pm-5:00 pm

Nonstop1h 36m

$217

ChicagoDes Moines

ORD - DSM

ORDDSM

Chicago O'Hare Intl

Thu 2/26

10:18 pm-11:40 pm

Nonstop1h 22m

Des Moines

Sun 3/1

6:32 am-8:05 am

Nonstop1h 33m

$217

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 2/2

Showing 1-10 of 42 results
1
2
3
...
5

Compare providers for flights from Chicago to Des Moines

Provider information is updated monthly. Please note that these providers often have deals for this flight, but the availability may vary on a day-by-day basis on Cheapflights.
Use the table below to compare price accuracy, trust ratings, and cancellation policies for each provider offering flight deals from Chicago to Des Moines in February.
ProviderPrice AccuracyTrust Score*
ExpediaPrice Accuracy1 starTrust Score*3 stars
FlightHubPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*3 stars

*The Trust Score is based on feedback from users after their booking experience. It measures overall satisfaction, helping us identify issues like hidden fees, problems during the ticketing process, and the quality of customer service. This score is our best indicator of the provider's quality and reliability.

  • Most accurate provider: When it comes to deals on Chicago-Des Moines flights, users find the pricing of FlightHub to be most consistent on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub Users can find the same prices on Chicago-Des Moines flight deals on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub >95% of the time. Price accuracy is based on data collected from Chicago-Des Moines flight searches over the past month and is updated monthly.
  • Most trusted provider: When it comes to deals on Chicago-Des Moines flights, Cheapflights users trust FlightHub the most. FlightHub has received a user feedback score of 3 out of 3 stars (3 being the best), meaning they have been trusted the most by Cheapflights users looking for Chicago-Des Moines flight deals. Provider user feedback score is based on Cheapflights searches over the past month and is updated monthly.

Best time to book a flight from Chicago to Des Moines

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

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

Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Chicago to Des Moines (average of $171). Flying from Chicago to Des Moines in December is currently the most expensive (average of $278). 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 CHI to DSM?

Find hourly flight availability from Chicago 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 February 3, 2026.

It’s optimal to fly from Chicago to Des Moines at noon. By choosing this option you can save up to 38% on the cost of your flight, compared to a flight in the morning.

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

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly round-trip from Chicago to Des Moines. Price data was last updated on January 31, 2026.

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

Weekly flight availability from Chicago to Des Moines

Explore weekly flight availability from Chicago 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 February 3, 2026.

The most flights from CHI to DSM are scheduled on a Tuesday (33 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Wednesday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (19 on average).

How much does it cost to fly round-trip from Chicago to Des Moines?

Reviews of airlines servicing Des Moines

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Des Moines. 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 Des Moines. Reviews last updated February 3, 2026.
See what other customers who have flown with United Airlines and American Airlines from Chicago to Des Moines have to say. You can also see how each airline compares in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
9,236 reviews

Food

6.6

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.1

Overall

7.4

Comfort

7.3

Boarding

7.7

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Dane,Jan 2026

TYS - IAD

It was a short flight, so no time for amenities. Just glad everything was quick and easy from boarding to arriving at my destination with my family
United Airlines
7.4
Good
9,236 reviews
United Airlines
7.4
Good
9,236 reviews

Food

6.6

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.1

Overall

7.4

Comfort

7.3

Boarding

7.7

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Dane,Jan 2026

TYS - IAD

It was a short flight, so no time for amenities. Just glad everything was quick and easy from boarding to arriving at my destination with my family
American Airlines
7.2
Good
11,216 reviews
United Airlines
7.4
Good
9,236 reviews

Food

6.6

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.1

Overall

7.4

Comfort

7.3

Boarding

7.7

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Dane,Jan 2026

TYS - IAD

It was a short flight, so no time for amenities. Just glad everything was quick and easy from boarding to arriving at my destination with my family

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Chicago 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 Chicago?

    For a flight from Chicago to Des Moines, you will be flying into Des Moines. Des Moines (DSM) is just 3.6 mi from the center of the city. Des Moines is the only Des Moines airport and it handles 28 inbound flights from Chicago per day. 2 airlines have flights to Des Moines from Chicago on a regular basis.

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

    Airlines like American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines fly from Chicago to Des Moines in about 1h 26m. The time it takes to get you to your destination can typically vary by up to 2h 18m. There are 298 mi between Chicago and Des Moines. When browsing for deals, the options you’ll see will be for both nonstop flights and flights with stops.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from Chicago to Des Moines round-trip?

    Cheapflights users have booked flights from Chicago to Des Moines round-trip from $189. Another airline that can offer you cheap pricing is United Airlines. You may be able to fly from Chicago to Des Moines for 32% less than the average price by searching for these airlines.

  • What are the most reliable airlines from Chicago to Des Moines?

    Looking for the most reliable airlines to get you to your destination on time? Our data shows these are most likely to get you from Chicago to Des Moines on time: Emirates (100%), Envoy Air (74%), Lufthansa (74%).

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

    The cheapest flight price from Chicago to Des Moines is $94. On average you can expect to pay $350. The most popular route, (Chicago O'Hare Intl - Des Moines), can usually be booked for $171.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Chicago to Des Moines (average of $171). Flying from Chicago to Des Moines in December is currently the most expensive (average of $278). 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

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Toggle through the tabs below to find thousands of options on Cheapflights for your next trip.

Top 2 airlines flying from Chicago to Des Moines

Discover the top 2 airlines that operate flights from Chicago 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 February 3, 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
American AirlinesCheapest$189Average$269FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$189Average$291FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

100% Free

Cheapflights is completely free to use, so you can start saving the moment you arrive.

Book with Flexibility

Our users can plan ahead with confidence and find flights with no change fees

Travel Smart

Millions of people come to us for their flight needs every year. We help make travel planning easy by providing useful insights and data-driven graphs that can inform your decisions.
Site
©2026 Cheapflights