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Des Moines

$74+ 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 12/10. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
PHL — DSM
Oct 11 — Oct 181
Sat 10/11
Sat 10/18
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 Saturday

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 September 11, 2025.

Round-trip from

$174
(Frontier)

One-way from

$74
(Southwest)

Popular in

January

Cheapest in

September

Average price

$300

Good round-trip deal

$300 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. 6% potential increase in price ($24 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 September 2025
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Price to beat on a round-trip 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 September 11, 2025.

This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/10. 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 11/146:19 amPHL - DSM
1 stop8h 30mFrontier
Sun 11/162:32 pmDSM - PHL
1 stop13h 17mFrontier
Deal found 9/10$174
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/9. 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.
Tue 11/116:00 pmPHL - DSM
1 stop4h 35mSouthwest
Thu 11/135:45 amDSM - PHL
1 stop9h 10mSouthwest
Deal found 9/9$191
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/9. 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.
Tue 11/46:00 pmPHL - DSM
1 stop4h 35mSouthwest
Sat 11/156:25 amDSM - PHL
1 stop4h 05mSouthwest
Deal found 9/9$196
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/8. 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 10/82:00 pmPHL - DSM
2 stops8h 50mSouthwest
Wed 10/156:20 amDSM - PHL
1 stop4h 00mSouthwest
Deal found 9/8$206
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/10. 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 11/138:00 pmPHL - DSM
1 stop4h 35mSouthwest
Mon 11/176:15 amDSM - PHL
1 stop4h 10mSouthwest
Deal found 9/10$223
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/10. 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.
Mon 10/68:05 pmPHL - DSM
1 stop4h 25mSouthwest
Tue 10/74:45 pmDSM - PHL
1 stop4h 00mSouthwest
Deal found 9/10$234
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/10. 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 10/88:00 amPHL - DSM
1 stop14h 45mMultiple Airlines
Wed 10/152:37 pmDSM - PHL
2 stops23h 30mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 9/10$239
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/10. 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 10/810:25 amPHL - DSM
Nonstop2h 54mAmerican Airlines
Wed 10/156:00 amDSM - PHL
Nonstop2h 35mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 9/10$245
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/10. 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.
Mon 10/137:19 pmPHL - DSM
Nonstop2h 54mAmerican Airlines
Sat 10/181:55 pmDSM - PHL
Nonstop2h 37mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 9/10$246

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 September 11, 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

Tue 11/11

6:00 pm-9:35 pm

1 stop4h 35m

Des Moines

Thu 11/13

5:45 am-3:55 pm

1 stop9h 10m

$191

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Wed 10/8

2:00 pm-9:50 pm

2 stops8h 50m

Des Moines

Wed 10/15

6:20 am-11:20 am

1 stop4h 00m

$206

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Thu 11/13

8:00 pm-11:35 pm

1 stop4h 35m

Des Moines

Mon 11/17

6:15 am-11:25 am

1 stop4h 10m

$223

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Mon 10/6

8:05 pm-11:30 pm

1 stop4h 25m

Des Moines

Tue 10/7

4:45 pm-9:45 pm

1 stop4h 00m

$234

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Wed 10/8

8:30 pm-10:20 pm

Nonstop2h 50m

Des Moines

Wed 10/15

12:49 pm-4:26 pm

Nonstop2h 37m

$245

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Tue 11/4

5:02 pm-10:30 pm

1 stop6h 28m

Des Moines

Sat 11/15

2:17 pm-9:26 pm

1 stop6h 09m

$245

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Sun 11/9

10:48 pm-1:47 pm

2 stops15h 59m

Des Moines

Fri 11/14

2:34 pm-4:49 am

1 stop13h 15m

$245

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Mon 10/13

7:19 pm-9:13 pm

Nonstop2h 54m

Des Moines

Sat 10/18

6:00 am-9:35 am

Nonstop2h 35m

$246

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Thu 10/16

6:42 am-1:52 pm

1 stop8h 10m

Des Moines

Sun 10/19

8:47 pm-10:38 am

1 stop12h 51m

$262

PhiladelphiaDes Moines

PHL - DSM

PHLDSM

Philadelphia

Wed 10/8

8:00 am-1:28 pm

1 stop6h 28m

Des Moines

Wed 10/15

6:39 pm-12:52 am

1 stop5h 13m

$265

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 9/11

Showing 1-10 of 18 results
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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 August 29, 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 September 11, 2025.

It’s optimal to fly from Philadelphia to Des Moines in the morning. By choosing this option you can save up to 33% 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 September 7, 2025.

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

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 September 11, 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
4,248 reviews

Crew

8.6

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.5

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Mike,Aug 2025

OKC - AUS

AC was not adequate, even on a night flight. WiFi subpar even for the airlines
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,248 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,248 reviews

Crew

8.6

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.5

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Mike,Aug 2025

OKC - AUS

AC was not adequate, even on a night flight. WiFi subpar even for the airlines
Delta
8.0
Very good
7,960 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,248 reviews

Crew

8.6

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.5

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Mike,Aug 2025

OKC - AUS

AC was not adequate, even on a night flight. WiFi subpar even for the airlines
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,937 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,248 reviews

Crew

8.6

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.5

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Mike,Aug 2025

OKC - AUS

AC was not adequate, even on a night flight. WiFi subpar even for the airlines
American Airlines
7.2
Good
10,000 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,248 reviews

Crew

8.6

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.5

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Mike,Aug 2025

OKC - AUS

AC was not adequate, even on a night flight. WiFi subpar even for the airlines
Frontier
5.8
Fair
3,177 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,248 reviews

Crew

8.6

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.5

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Mike,Aug 2025

OKC - AUS

AC was not adequate, even on a night flight. WiFi subpar even for the airlines

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 are 3 daily flights 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.

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

    For as low as $191, Southwest can have you in Des Moines from Philadelphia in 4h 35m. Airlines will cover a distance of 969 mi.

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

    Frontier, at $158, was found to be the cheapest airline from Philadelphia to Des Moines.Alternate airlines to your destination round-trip include United Airlines and Delta. Frontier is priced at 58% lower than the current average price of a flight leaving 3 months from now.

  • 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 (88%), American Airlines (75%), PSA Airlines (75%).

  • 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 $323, our data indicates the cheapest price to be $271. The most popular route (Philadelphia - Des Moines), is priced around $191.

  • 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
Johnston
Altoona
Boone
Ames
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 September 11, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
FrontierCheapest$158Average$281FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
United AirlinesCheapest$208Average$366FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
DeltaCheapest$236Average$347FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
SouthwestCheapest$251Average$387FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
American AirlinesCheapest$265Average$383FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%

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