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Des Moines

$89+ Cheap flights from San Diego to Des Moines (SAN - 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 12/19. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SAN — DSM
Dec 6 — Dec 131
Sat 12/6
Sat 12/13
1 adult, Economy
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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from San Diego to Des Moines are usually found in July or May, booked 84 days in advance, depart on a Friday or Wednesday and return on a Monday

Cheap flight deals from San Diego to Des Moines

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from San Diego (SAN) 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 November 6, 2025.

Most accurate provider

eDreams
3 stars

Most trusted provider

eDreams
3 stars

Round-trip from

$138
(Frontier)

One-way from

$89
(Kiwi.com)

Popular in

February

Cheapest in

July

Average price

$392
Provider with most accurate pricing for San Diego-Des Moines flight deals.
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Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for San Diego-Des Moines flights.
Search Deals
From San Diego to Des Moines
Search Deals
One-way flight from San Diego to Des Moines
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 17% potential increase in price ($85 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 3% potential price decrease ($13 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in November 2025
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Find flight deals from San Diego to Des Moines

Cheapest flights from San Diego to Des Moines
Explore the most affordable flight options available from San Diego to Des Moines. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on November 6, 2025.

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 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 12/56:34 amSAN - DSM
1 stop10h 29mMultiple Airlines
Fri 12/127:28 pmDSM - SAN
2 stops26h 39mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/5$184
This Expedia 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 Expedia is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 11/216:36 amSAN - DSM
1 stop10h 02mFrontier
Tue 11/257:46 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop14h 15mFrontier
Deal found 11/6$198
This Mytrip 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 Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 11/247:31 pmSAN - DSM
1 stop21h 30mFrontier
Wed 11/262:00 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop11h 59mFrontier
Deal found 11/5$213
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.
Tue 11/258:56 amSAN - DSM
1 stop8h 05mFrontier
Fri 11/287:46 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop6h 13mFrontier
Deal found 11/5$253
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.
Mon 11/246:25 amSAN - DSM
2 stops29h 06mMultiple Airlines
Wed 11/262:00 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop11h 59mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/5$257
This Kiwi.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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 11/216:36 amSAN - DSM
1 stop10h 02mMultiple Airlines
Mon 11/243:48 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop25h 06mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/6$269
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.
Mon 12/156:34 amSAN - DSM
1 stop10h 29mFrontier
Mon 1/128:25 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop18h 30mFrontier
Deal found 11/5$282
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.
Mon 11/246:25 amSAN - DSM
2 stops29h 06mMultiple Airlines
Fri 11/287:46 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop6h 13mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/5$286
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.
Mon 12/156:34 amSAN - DSM
1 stop10h 29mMultiple Airlines
Mon 1/1211:09 amDSM - SAN
2 stops27h 46mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/5$295

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from San Diego 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 San Diego to Des Moines that are best for you.

Fly from

San Diego

Fly to

Des Moines

Route

Depart

Return

Price

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Fri 11/21

6:36 am-6:38 pm

1 stop10h 02m

Des Moines

Tue 11/25

7:46 pm-11:59 pm

1 stop6h 13m

$252

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Fri 11/21

6:36 am-6:38 pm

1 stop10h 02m

Des Moines

Mon 11/24

3:48 pm-8:01 am

2 stops18h 13m

$284

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Wed 12/10

7:50 am-5:03 pm

1 stop7h 13m

Des Moines

Wed 12/17

10:20 am-6:21 pm

1 stop10h 01m

$297

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Sat 12/13

1:20 pm-9:20 pm

1 stop6h 00m

Des Moines

Tue 12/16

12:05 pm-4:10 pm

1 stop6h 05m

$297

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Tue 11/25

8:56 am-7:01 pm

1 stop8h 05m

Des Moines

Sun 11/30

8:19 pm-11:59 pm

1 stop5h 40m

$308

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Mon 12/15

6:34 am-7:03 pm

1 stop10h 29m

Des Moines

Fri 1/16

8:25 pm-12:55 pm

1 stop18h 30m

$329

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Fri 11/21

6:36 am-6:38 pm

1 stop10h 02m

Des Moines

Tue 11/25

7:30 am-3:27 pm

2 stops33h 57m

$332

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Sat 11/22

11:43 am-7:24 pm

2 stops29h 41m

Des Moines

Fri 11/28

7:46 pm-11:59 pm

1 stop6h 13m

$333

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Thu 12/11

7:50 am-5:03 pm

1 stop7h 13m

Des Moines

Tue 12/16

6:50 am-11:14 am

1 stop6h 24m

$341

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Mon 12/15

6:20 am-2:19 pm

1 stop5h 59m

Des Moines

Wed 1/14

4:21 pm-8:53 pm

1 stop6h 32m

$341

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 11/6

Showing 1-10 of 21 results
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Compare providers for flights from San Diego 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 San Diego to Des Moines in November.
ProviderPrice AccuracyTrust Score*
ExpediaPrice Accuracy2 starsTrust Score*3 stars
FlightHubPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*1 star
eDreamsPrice 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 San Diego-Des Moines flights, users find the pricing of eDreams to be most consistent on Cheapflights vs. eDreams Users can find the same prices on San Diego-Des Moines flight deals on Cheapflights vs. eDreams >95% of the time. Price accuracy is based on data collected from San Diego-Des Moines flight searches over the past month and is updated monthly.
  • Most trusted provider: When it comes to deals on San Diego-Des Moines flights, Cheapflights users trust eDreams the most. eDreams 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 San Diego-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 San Diego to Des Moines

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

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

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight from San Diego to Des Moines. Price data was last updated on October 31, 2025.

Booking 80 days in advance of your planned departure date is, on average, the best time to get cheap flights from San Diego 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 San Diego to Des Moines?

Currently, July is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San Diego to Des Moines (average of $75). Flying from San Diego 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 SAN to DSM?

Find hourly flight availability from San Diego 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 San Diego to Des Moines is to remain as flexible as possible. Flights that are in the evening tend to be the most expensive. A flight in the afternoon could potentially save you up to 69% on airfare.

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 November 6, 2025.
Peruse reviews from past customers who have flown with Southwest, Delta, and United Airlines from San Diego to Des Moines to help guide your decision. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.
Delta
7.9
Good
8,001 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
9,007 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.
American Airlines
7.2
Good
11,040 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.
Frontier
5.8
Fair
3,115 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from San Diego 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 San Diego to Des Moines?

    Frontier and Delta can get you from San Diego to Des Moines in just under 7h 13m. Your travel time can differ by up to 2h 49m. The distance from San Diego to Des Moines is about 1425 mi. This flight may include one or multiple stops.

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

    Our cheapest airline available from San Diego to Des Moines is Allegiant Air. Our recent data shows that you can find tickets from as low as $75 on this airline. Additional options worth looking into are Delta and Frontier, starting at $148 and $158 round-trip. These flights start at 81% lower than the current average price 3 months from now.

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

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

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

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

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

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from San Diego 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 San Diego to Des Moines?

    Currently, July is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San Diego to Des Moines (average of $75). Flying from San Diego 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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Top 6 airlines flying from San Diego to Des Moines

Discover the top 6 airlines that operate flights from San Diego 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$171FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time88%
DeltaCheapest$148Average$364FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
FrontierCheapest$158Average$250FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
United AirlinesCheapest$286Average$452FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
American AirlinesCheapest$286Average$403FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
SouthwestCheapest$306Average$516FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%

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