HomeSearch by dateVacation packagesHotelsFlight dealsCar rentalTravel tips & news
Des Moines

$179+ Cheap flights from Sacramento to Des Moines (SMF - 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 2/4. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SMF — DSM
Jan 11 — Jan 181
Sun 1/11
Sun 1/18
1 adult, Economy
We work with more than 300 partners to bring you better travel deals

Find cheap flights from Sacramento 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 Sacramento to Des Moines

Cheapest flights from Sacramento to Des Moines
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Sacramento to Des Moines. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on December 12, 2025.

This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/10. 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.
Thu 12/256:03 amSMF - DSM
1 stop6h 14mAmerican Airlines
Mon 12/295:21 amDSM - SMF
1 stop8h 51mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 12/10$674
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/10. 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.
Sun 12/286:00 amSMF - DSM
1 stop6h 17mAmerican Airlines
Sun 1/46:20 pmDSM - SMF
1 stop17h 05mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 12/10$697
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/10. 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 United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 12/2510:40 amSMF - DSM
2 stops11h 18mUnited Airlines
Mon 12/296:46 pmDSM - SMF
1 stop25h 58mUnited Airlines
Deal found 12/10$736
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/10. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 12/206:15 amSMF - DSM
1 stop8h 26mDelta
Sat 12/276:59 amDSM - SMF
1 stop7h 20mDelta
Deal found 12/10$758
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/11. 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.
Sun 12/216:00 amSMF - DSM
1 stop9h 09mAmerican Airlines
Sat 1/35:21 amDSM - SMF
1 stop8h 52mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 12/11$792
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/10. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 12/257:00 amSMF - DSM
2 stops11h 02mDelta
Mon 12/2912:08 pmDSM - SMF
2 stops12h 02mDelta
Deal found 12/10$829
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/10. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 12/217:00 amSMF - DSM
1 stop8h 15mDelta
Sat 1/36:59 amDSM - SMF
1 stop7h 26mDelta
Deal found 12/10$847
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/10. 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 United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 12/286:00 amSMF - DSM
2 stops15h 58mUnited Airlines
Sun 1/45:30 amDSM - SMF
1 stop19h 18mUnited Airlines
Deal found 12/10$877
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/10. 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 United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 12/265:00 amSMF - DSM
1 stop13h 30mUnited Airlines
Tue 12/303:14 pmDSM - SMF
1 stop9h 39mUnited Airlines
Deal found 12/10$886
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 12/10. 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.
Sat 12/206:10 amSMF - DSM
2 stops9h 50mSouthwest
Sat 12/276:45 pmDSM - SMF
1 stop6h 15mSouthwest
Deal found 12/10$912

Find flight deals from Sacramento to Des Moines

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Sacramento (SMF) 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 December 12, 2025.

Most accurate provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Most trusted provider

Expedia
3 stars

Round-trip from

$335
(WAYA)

One-way from

$179
(United Airlines)

Popular in

June

Cheapest in

February

Average price

$450
Provider with most accurate pricing for Sacramento Intl-Des Moines flight deals.
Search Deals
Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for Sacramento Intl-Des Moines flights.
Search Deals
From Sacramento Intl to Des Moines
Search Deals
One-way flight from Sacramento Intl to Des Moines
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 4% potential increase in price ($21 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($8 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in December 2025
Search Deals

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Sacramento 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 12, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Sacramento to Des Moines that are best for you.

Fly from

Sacramento

Fly to

Des Moines

Route

Depart

Return

Price

SacramentoDes Moines

SMF - DSM

SMFDSM

Sacramento Intl

Tue 3/3

7:07 am-8:41 pm

2 stops11h 34m

Des Moines

Wed 3/4

5:30 am-9:36 am

1 stop6h 06m

$362

SacramentoDes Moines

SMF - DSM

SMFDSM

Sacramento Intl

Tue 1/6

6:00 am-3:41 pm

1 stop7h 41m

Des Moines

Wed 1/7

4:21 pm-11:15 pm

2 stops8h 54m

$362

SacramentoDes Moines

SMF - DSM

SMFDSM

Sacramento Intl

Tue 1/6

12:30 pm-10:29 pm

1 stop7h 59m

Des Moines

Sun 1/11

4:21 pm-8:58 pm

1 stop6h 37m

$392

SacramentoDes Moines

SMF - DSM

SMFDSM

Sacramento Intl

Wed 1/7

12:30 pm-10:29 pm

1 stop7h 59m

Des Moines

Sat 1/10

10:59 am-9:51 pm

2 stops12h 52m

$395

SacramentoDes Moines

SMF - DSM

SMFDSM

Sacramento Intl

Tue 1/6

6:00 am-3:41 pm

1 stop7h 41m

Des Moines

Sat 1/10

10:59 am-9:51 pm

2 stops12h 52m

$395

SacramentoDes Moines

SMF - DSM

SMFDSM

Sacramento Intl

Wed 1/7

9:48 am-9:24 pm

2 stops9h 36m

Des Moines

Sun 1/11

4:21 pm-8:58 pm

1 stop6h 37m

$397

SacramentoDes Moines

SMF - DSM

SMFDSM

Sacramento Intl

Sat 1/3

6:15 am-4:41 pm

1 stop8h 26m

Des Moines

Wed 1/7

4:21 pm-8:58 pm

1 stop6h 37m

$412

SacramentoDes Moines

SMF - DSM

SMFDSM

Sacramento Intl

Sun 1/4

11:37 am-7:44 pm

2 stops30h 07m

Des Moines

Thu 1/8

8:30 am-9:42 am

1 stop27h 12m

$426

SacramentoDes Moines

SMF - DSM

SMFDSM

Sacramento Intl

Sat 2/14

4:11 pm-11:43 pm

1 stop5h 32m

Des Moines

Wed 2/18

2:59 pm-10:45 pm

1 stop9h 46m

$437

SacramentoDes Moines

SMF - DSM

SMFDSM

Sacramento Intl

Wed 1/7

5:00 am-12:52 pm

1 stop5h 52m

Des Moines

Wed 1/7

5:09 pm-9:03 pm

1 stop5h 54m

$437

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 12/11

Showing 1-10 of 17 results
1
2

Compare providers for flights from Sacramento 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 Sacramento to Des Moines in December.
ProviderPrice AccuracyTrust Score*
ExpediaPrice Accuracy2 starsTrust Score*3 stars
FlightHubPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*1 star

*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 Sacramento-Des Moines flights, users find the pricing of FlightHub to be most consistent on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub Users can find the same prices on Sacramento-Des Moines flight deals on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub >95% of the time. Price accuracy is based on data collected from Sacramento-Des Moines flight searches over the past month and is updated monthly.
  • Most trusted provider: When it comes to deals on Sacramento-Des Moines flights, Cheapflights users trust Expedia the most. Expedia 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 Sacramento-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 Sacramento to Des Moines

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

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

Currently, September is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Sacramento to Des Moines (average of $149). Flying from Sacramento to Des Moines in November is currently the most expensive (average of $386). 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 SMF to DSM?

Find hourly flight availability from Sacramento 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 12, 2025.

It’s typically best to fly out from Sacramento to Des Moines in the evening. Doing so could potentially save you 13% on the flight price compared to flying in the morning, which is usually more expensive.

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

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

Travelers seeking maximum savings on their Sacramento to Des Moines flight should consider departing on Monday evenings when fares are most often at their lowest. Sunday 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 December 12, 2025.
Read reviews from past customers who have flown Southwest, United Airlines, and American Airlines from Sacramento to Des Moines. Users can see the overall rating for each airline as well as how each is rated in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Southwest
7.9
Good
4,253 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

7.9

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Food

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

William Drew,Nov 2025

SJC - HNL

Flight crew was amazing! Usually they're very good on Southwest, but this crew went above and beyond. I have never ever seen so many rounds of drink service on a flight before.
Southwest
7.9
Good
4,253 reviews
Southwest
7.9
Good
4,253 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

7.9

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Food

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

William Drew,Nov 2025

SJC - HNL

Flight crew was amazing! Usually they're very good on Southwest, but this crew went above and beyond. I have never ever seen so many rounds of drink service on a flight before.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
9,095 reviews
Southwest
7.9
Good
4,253 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

7.9

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Food

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

William Drew,Nov 2025

SJC - HNL

Flight crew was amazing! Usually they're very good on Southwest, but this crew went above and beyond. I have never ever seen so many rounds of drink service on a flight before.
American Airlines
7.2
Good
11,050 reviews
Southwest
7.9
Good
4,253 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

7.9

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.6

Food

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

William Drew,Nov 2025

SJC - HNL

Flight crew was amazing! Usually they're very good on Southwest, but this crew went above and beyond. I have never ever seen so many rounds of drink service on a flight before.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Sacramento to Des Moines. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.

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

    A quick flight from Sacramento to Des Moines can take about 7h 41m. United Airlines provides one of the quickest options available for as low as $357. Airlines will cover a distance of 1481 mi. This flight may include one or multiple stops.

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

    American Airlines, at $334, was found to be the cheapest airline from Sacramento to Des Moines.Alternate airlines to your destination round-trip include United Airlines and Southwest. American Airlines is currently priced 20% below the average price you’ll pay for this route.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Currently, September is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Sacramento to Des Moines (average of $149). Flying from Sacramento to Des Moines in November is currently the most expensive (average of $386). 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.

Alternative routes for Sacramento to Des Moines

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
Los Angeles to Omaha flights
San Francisco to Omaha flights
Ontario to Omaha flights
Los Angeles to Des Moines flights
Los Angeles to Moline flights
San Diego to Des Moines flights
Bakersfield to Omaha flights
Las Vegas to Omaha flights
San Diego to Omaha flights
Ontario to Des Moines flights
Ontario to Cedar Rapids flights
Santa Ana to Omaha flights
Los Angeles to Cedar Rapids flights
Los Angeles to Sioux City flights
San Francisco to Cedar Rapids flights
Fresno to Omaha flights
San Francisco to Des Moines flights
Burbank to Des Moines flights
Las Vegas to Cedar Rapids flights
Santa Ana to Cedar Rapids flights
Santa Ana to Des Moines flights
Burbank to Cedar Rapids flights
Burbank to Omaha flights
Sacramento to Omaha flights
Oakland to Cedar Rapids flights
Bakersfield to Des Moines flights
Oakland to Des Moines flights
Palm Springs to Omaha flights
San Jose to Omaha flights
Long Beach to Omaha flights
San Jose to Cedar Rapids flights
Monterey to Omaha flights
San Jose to Des Moines flights
Las Vegas to Des Moines flights
Monterey to Des Moines flights
Oakland to Omaha flights
Ontario to Moline flights
Santa Ana to Moline flights
Las Vegas to Moline flights
Reno to Des Moines flights
Santa Barbara to Des Moines flights
San Francisco to Moline flights
San Diego to Cedar Rapids flights
San Diego to Moline flights
Sacramento to Cedar Rapids flights
Burbank to Moline flights
Fresno to Sioux City flights
Los Angeles to Mason City flights
Palm Springs to Moline flights

Top 3 airlines flying from Sacramento to Des Moines

Discover the top 3 airlines that operate flights from Sacramento 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 12, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
United AirlinesCheapest$334Average$423FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
American AirlinesCheapest$334Average$433FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
SouthwestCheapest$363Average$531FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%

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.