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Des Moines

$78+ 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 8/4. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SAN — DSM
Jul 8 — Jul 151
Tue 7/8
Tue 7/15
1 adult, Economy
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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from San Diego to Des Moines are usually found in August or May, booked 84 days in advance, depart on a Friday or Wednesday and return on a Tuesday

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 July 3, 2025.

Round-trip from

$122
(Flightnetwork)

One-way from

$78
(Gotogate)

Popular in

February

Cheapest in

August

Average price

$356

Good round-trip deal

$166 or less

Good one-way deal

$94 or less
From San Diego to Des Moines
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One-way flight from San Diego to Des Moines
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 13% potential increase in price ($65 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($12 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 San Diego to Des Moines.
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Price to beat on a one-way flight from San Diego to Des Moines.
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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 July 3, 2025.

This Flightnetwork deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/3. 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 Flightnetwork is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 8/155:20 pmSAN - DSM
Nonstop3h 24mAllegiant Air
Mon 8/182:54 pmDSM - SAN
Nonstop3h 36mAllegiant Air
Deal found 7/3$122
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/2. 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 Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 9/126:15 amSAN - DSM
1 stop14h 14mMultiple Airlines
Sun 9/143:42 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop10h 03mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 7/2$177
This Priceline deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/2. 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 Priceline is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 9/196:35 amSAN - DSM
1 stop5h 05mFrontier
Sun 9/212:25 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop7h 42mFrontier
Deal found 7/2$194
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/3. 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 9/31:22 pmSAN - DSM
1 stop5h 37mDelta
Tue 9/95:44 amDSM - SAN
1 stop8h 44mDelta
Deal found 7/3$287
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/3. 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 8/2312:50 pmSAN - DSM
2 stops8h 27mAmerican Airlines
Tue 8/265:12 amDSM - SAN
1 stop6h 35mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 7/3$292

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 July 3, 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 8/15

5:20 pm-10:44 pm

Nonstop3h 24m

Des Moines

Mon 8/18

2:54 pm-4:30 pm

Nonstop3h 36m

$122

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Fri 9/12

6:15 am-10:29 pm

1 stop14h 14m

Des Moines

Sun 9/14

3:42 pm-11:45 pm

1 stop10h 03m

$177

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Fri 9/19

6:35 am-1:40 pm

1 stop5h 05m

Des Moines

Sun 9/21

2:25 pm-8:07 pm

1 stop7h 42m

$194

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Wed 9/3

1:22 pm-8:59 pm

1 stop5h 37m

Des Moines

Tue 9/9

5:44 am-12:28 pm

1 stop8h 44m

$287

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Sat 8/23

12:50 pm-11:17 pm

2 stops8h 27m

Des Moines

Tue 8/26

5:12 am-9:47 am

1 stop6h 35m

$292

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Mon 8/4

5:03 pm-10:38 pm

Nonstop3h 35m

$78

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Thu 7/17

9:40 pm-12:25 pm

1 stop12h 45m

$90

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Mon 8/25

6:25 am-2:23 pm

1 stop5h 58m

$110

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Mon 8/4

8:44 pm-10:29 am

2 stops11h 45m

$189

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Mon 9/22

8:45 am-8:20 pm

2 stops9h 35m

$215

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 6/30

Showing 1-10 of 12 results
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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 June 27, 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, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San Diego to Des Moines (average of $336). Flying from San Diego to Des Moines in June is currently the most expensive (average of $405). 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 July 3, 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 70% 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 July 3, 2025.
Peruse reviews from past customers who have flown with Alaska Airlines, Southwest, and Delta 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.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,270 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Delta
8.0
Very good
7,970 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,845 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
American Airlines
7.2
Good
10,000 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.5

Food

7.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.

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.

  • 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 $122 on this airline. Additional options worth looking into are Frontier and Delta, starting at $194 and $287 round-trip. These flights start at 70% lower than the current average price 3 months from now.

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

    To fly one-way, consider booking your trip with Allegiant Air, which is currently one of the cheapest options available, starting at $78. Frontier flights start at $110 while deals on United Airlines start at $189 one-way.

  • What are the cheapest flights from San Diego to Des Moines?

    The cheapest flight price from San Diego to Des Moines is $84. On average you can expect to pay $160. The most popular route, (San Diego - Des Moines), can usually be booked for $168.

  • 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, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San Diego to Des Moines (average of $336). Flying from San Diego to Des Moines in June is currently the most expensive (average of $405). 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 San Diego?

Book flights to San Diego if you plan to visit one of these locations
Altoona
Ames
Johnston
Boone
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 July 3, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Allegiant AirCheapest$113Average$171FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time88%
FrontierCheapest$134Average$268FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
DeltaCheapest$237Average$472FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
American AirlinesCheapest$303Average$406FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$308Average$460FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
SouthwestCheapest$336Average$472FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%

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