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Des Moines

$94+ Cheap flights from Philadelphia to Des Moines (PHL - 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 8/25. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
PHL — DSM
Aug 4 — Aug 111
Mon 8/4
Mon 8/11
1 adult, Economy
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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Philadelphia to Des Moines are usually found in September or April, booked 63 days in advance, depart on a Tuesday or Saturday and return on a Friday

Cheap flight deals from Philadelphia to Des Moines

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Philadelphia (PHL) 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 July 30, 2025.

Round-trip from

$225
(American Airlines)

One-way from

$94
(Mytrip)

Popular in

July

Cheapest in

September

Average price

$449

Good round-trip deal

$309 or less

Good one-way deal

$304 or less
From Philadelphia to Des Moines
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One-way flight from Philadelphia to Des Moines
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 8% potential increase in price ($34 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($7 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 Philadelphia to Des Moines.
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Price to beat on a one-way flight from Philadelphia to Des Moines.
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Find flight deals from Philadelphia to Des Moines

Cheapest flights from Philadelphia to Des Moines
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Philadelphia to Des Moines. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on July 30, 2025.

This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/28. 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 8/219:47 amPHL - DSM
1 stop9h 38mMultiple Airlines
Fri 8/224:29 pmDSM - PHL
2 stops16h 27mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 7/28$207
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/27. 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 8/267:39 pmPHL - DSM
Nonstop3h 06mAmerican Airlines
Tue 9/26:00 amDSM - PHL
Nonstop2h 34mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 7/27$225
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/28. 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.
Wed 8/274:45 pmPHL - DSM
1 stop6h 35mSouthwest
Wed 9/36:30 amDSM - PHL
1 stop8h 30mSouthwest
Deal found 7/28$236
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/28. 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.
Fri 8/226:00 amPHL - DSM
1 stop4h 37mDelta
Fri 8/222:12 pmDSM - PHL
1 stop5h 43mDelta
Deal found 7/28$237
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/29. 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 8/226:25 amPHL - DSM
1 stop12h 10mFrontier
Sun 8/313:23 pmDSM - PHL
1 stop12h 31mFrontier
Deal found 7/29$238
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/29. 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.
Tue 8/126:30 amPHL - DSM
1 stop4h 59mUnited Airlines
Sat 8/166:50 pmDSM - PHL
1 stop4h 40mUnited Airlines
Deal found 7/29$261

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Philadelphia 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 July 30, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Philadelphia to Des Moines that are best for you.

Fly from

Philadelphia

Fly to

Des Moines

Route

Depart

Return

Price

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Thu 8/21

9:47 am-6:25 pm

1 stop9h 38m

Des Moines

Fri 8/22

4:29 pm-9:56 am

2 stops16h 27m

$207

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Tue 8/26

7:39 pm-9:45 pm

Nonstop3h 06m

Des Moines

Tue 9/2

6:00 am-9:34 am

Nonstop2h 34m

$225

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Wed 8/27

4:45 pm-10:20 pm

1 stop6h 35m

Des Moines

Wed 9/3

6:30 am-4:00 pm

1 stop8h 30m

$236

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Fri 8/22

6:00 am-9:37 am

1 stop4h 37m

Des Moines

Fri 8/22

2:12 pm-8:55 pm

1 stop5h 43m

$237

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Fri 8/22

6:25 am-5:35 pm

1 stop12h 10m

Des Moines

Sun 8/31

3:23 pm-4:54 am

1 stop12h 31m

$238

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Tue 8/12

6:30 am-10:29 am

1 stop4h 59m

Des Moines

Sat 8/16

6:50 pm-12:30 am

1 stop4h 40m

$261

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Mon 8/25

10:51 am-8:41 pm

1 stop10h 50m

$94

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Mon 9/22

6:25 pm-10:37 pm

1 stop5h 12m

$119

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Tue 8/26

1:50 pm-10:20 pm

2 stops9h 30m

$124

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Mon 10/27

6:19 am-7:59 pm

1 stop14h 40m

$127

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 7/29

Showing 1-10 of 12 results
1
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Best time to book a flight from Philadelphia to Des Moines

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

How far ahead should I book a flight from Philadelphia to Des Moines?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight from Philadelphia to Des Moines. Price data was last updated on July 25, 2025.

Booking 63 days in advance of your planned departure date is, on average, the best time to get cheap flights from Philadelphia to Des Moines. The general trend is that the closer you book to the departure date, the more expensive your flight will be.

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

Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Philadelphia to Des Moines (average of $336). Flying from Philadelphia to Des Moines in June is currently the most expensive (average of $402). 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 PHL to DSM?

Find hourly flight availability from Philadelphia 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 July 30, 2025.

It’s optimal to fly from Philadelphia to Des Moines at noon. By choosing this option you can save up to 31% on the cost of your flight, compared to a flight in the afternoon.

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

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly round-trip from Philadelphia to Des Moines. Price data was last updated on July 27, 2025.

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

Weekly flight availability from Philadelphia to Des Moines

Explore weekly flight availability from Philadelphia 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 July 30, 2025.

The most flights from PHL to DSM are scheduled on a Monday (3 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Thursday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (1 on average).

What’s the top layover airport for flights from Philadelphia to Des Moines?

Share of 1-stop round-trip flights from Philadelphia to Des Moines chosen by Cheapflights users in the past 12 months, using the same layover each way.

St. Louis (STL) – chosen by Cheapflights users on 50% of 1-stop itineraries from Philadelphia to Des Moines on Cheapflights.

What’s the cheapest layover airport for flights from Philadelphia to Des Moines?

Average round-trip fare for 1-stop flights from Philadelphia to Des Moines, chosen by Cheapflights users in the past 12 months, with the same layover each way.

Denver (DEN) is the most affordable 1-stop option, with an average round-trip price of $273.

What’s the fastest layover option from Philadelphia to Des Moines?

Shortest average travel time for 1-stop one-way flights from Philadelphia to Des Moines, based on itineraries clicked by Cheapflights users over the past 12 months, grouped by layover airport.

Flights via St. Louis (STL) have the shortest average one-way travel time for 1-stop routes: 4h 20m.

Which airport typically offers the quickest layover for flights from Philadelphia to Des Moines?

Average layover duration for 1-stop one-way flights from Philadelphia to Des Moines, chosen by Cheapflights users in the last 12 months, grouped by stopover airport.

Flights via St. Louis (STL) offer the fastest connection on this route, with an average layover time of 0h 50m.

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 July 30, 2025.
See what other customers who have flown with Southwest, Delta, and United Airlines from Philadelphia 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.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.0

Food

7.0

Entertainment

7.5

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Gina,Jul 2025

LAS - DEN

We experienced bad weather, which turned our 1.5 hour flight from Las Vegas to Denver, into 3.5. The pilot and crew kept us updated and explained that we had to circle and or possibly redirect to another airport. After circling for sometime, we were able to land smoothly in Denver. Thank you to all the flight crew, tower control, and all who got us to our destination safely.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.0

Food

7.0

Entertainment

7.5

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Gina,Jul 2025

LAS - DEN

We experienced bad weather, which turned our 1.5 hour flight from Las Vegas to Denver, into 3.5. The pilot and crew kept us updated and explained that we had to circle and or possibly redirect to another airport. After circling for sometime, we were able to land smoothly in Denver. Thank you to all the flight crew, tower control, and all who got us to our destination safely.
Delta
8.0
Very good
7,980 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.0

Food

7.0

Entertainment

7.5

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Gina,Jul 2025

LAS - DEN

We experienced bad weather, which turned our 1.5 hour flight from Las Vegas to Denver, into 3.5. The pilot and crew kept us updated and explained that we had to circle and or possibly redirect to another airport. After circling for sometime, we were able to land smoothly in Denver. Thank you to all the flight crew, tower control, and all who got us to our destination safely.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,896 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.0

Food

7.0

Entertainment

7.5

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Gina,Jul 2025

LAS - DEN

We experienced bad weather, which turned our 1.5 hour flight from Las Vegas to Denver, into 3.5. The pilot and crew kept us updated and explained that we had to circle and or possibly redirect to another airport. After circling for sometime, we were able to land smoothly in Denver. Thank you to all the flight crew, tower control, and all who got us to our destination safely.
American Airlines
7.2
Good
10,000 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.0

Food

7.0

Entertainment

7.5

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Gina,Jul 2025

LAS - DEN

We experienced bad weather, which turned our 1.5 hour flight from Las Vegas to Denver, into 3.5. The pilot and crew kept us updated and explained that we had to circle and or possibly redirect to another airport. After circling for sometime, we were able to land smoothly in Denver. Thank you to all the flight crew, tower control, and all who got us to our destination safely.
Frontier
5.9
Fair
3,237 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.0

Food

7.0

Entertainment

7.5

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Gina,Jul 2025

LAS - DEN

We experienced bad weather, which turned our 1.5 hour flight from Las Vegas to Denver, into 3.5. The pilot and crew kept us updated and explained that we had to circle and or possibly redirect to another airport. After circling for sometime, we were able to land smoothly in Denver. Thank you to all the flight crew, tower control, and all who got us to our destination safely.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Philadelphia 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 airports do I use to fly from Philadelphia to Des Moines?

    Des Moines is the airport most travelers will use when flying to Des Moines from Philadelphia. Booking flights from Philadelphia (PHL) to Des Moines (DSM) should be relatively easy as there is 1 daily flight to Des Moines from 5 different airlines. 2h 54m is how long a flight from Philadelphia to Des Moines will take if you book a nonstop flight.

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

    American Airlines, at $225, was found to be the cheapest airline from Philadelphia to Des Moines.Alternate airlines to your destination round-trip include Delta and Frontier. American Airlines is priced at 41% lower than the current average price of a flight leaving 3 months from now.

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

    One-way options have recently been found by users for as low as $119 on Delta. Other airlines that offer cheap prices include Southwest from $124 and Frontier from $127 one-way.

  • What are the most reliable airlines from Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia to Des Moines on time: Qatar Airways (91%), American Airlines (43%), PSA Airlines (43%).

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

    Looking for the cheapest flight from Philadelphia to Des Moines? While on average our users pay $319, our data indicates the cheapest price to be $172. The most popular route (Philadelphia - Des Moines), is priced around $217.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Philadelphia to Des Moines (average of $336). Flying from Philadelphia to Des Moines in June is currently the most expensive (average of $402). 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
Ames
Johnston
Boone
West Des Moines
Ankeny

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Alternative routes for Philadelphia to Des Moines

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
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Top 5 airlines flying from Philadelphia to Des Moines

Discover the top 5 airlines that operate flights from Philadelphia 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 July 30, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
FrontierCheapest$133Average$278FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
United AirlinesCheapest$208Average$366FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
DeltaCheapest$236Average$334FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
SouthwestCheapest$266Average$396FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
American AirlinesCheapest$278Average$399FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%

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