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Des Moines

$170+ Cheap flights from San José (SJO) to Des Moines (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 12/4. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SJO — DSM
Dec 19 — Dec 261
Fri 12/19
Fri 12/26
1 adult, Economy
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Cheap flight deals from San José to Des Moines

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from San José (SJO) 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 19, 2025.

Most accurate provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Most trusted provider

FlightHub
1 star

Round-trip from

$568
(American Airlines)

One-way from

$170
(Kiwi.com)

Popular in

April

Cheapest in

January

Average price

$717
Provider with most accurate pricing for San José Juan Santamaria Intl-Des Moines flight deals.
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Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for San José Juan Santamaria Intl-Des Moines flights.
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From San José Juan Santamaria Intl to Des Moines
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One-way flight from San José Juan Santamaria Intl to Des Moines
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 7% potential increase in price ($47 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 3% potential price decrease ($20 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 José to Des Moines

Cheapest flights from San José to Des Moines
Explore the most affordable flight options available from San José to Des Moines. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on November 19, 2025.

This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/18. 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 12/156:00 amSJO - DSM
1 stop10h 19mAmerican Airlines
Wed 1/711:42 amDSM - SJO
1 stop10h 48mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 11/18$568
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/18. 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 12/47:00 amSJO - DSM
1 stop15h 34mDelta
Mon 12/85:34 amDSM - SJO
1 stop16h 46mDelta
Deal found 11/18$572
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/18. 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 12/48:45 amSJO - DSM
2 stops12h 52mUnited Airlines
Mon 12/83:17 pmDSM - SJO
2 stops21h 58mUnited Airlines
Deal found 11/18$576
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/19. 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.
Fri 11/286:00 amSJO - DSM
1 stop12h 26mAmerican Airlines
Sat 12/138:50 amDSM - SJO
1 stop13h 38mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 11/19$583
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/18. 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 11/288:45 amSJO - DSM
2 stops27h 29mUnited Airlines
Sat 12/136:50 pmDSM - SJO
2 stops18h 25mUnited Airlines
Deal found 11/18$588
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/19. 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 11/252:39 pmSJO - DSM
1 stop8h 14mAmerican Airlines
Sat 12/138:50 amDSM - SJO
1 stop13h 38mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 11/19$615
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/19. 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 11/2511:28 pmSJO - DSM
2 stops12h 46mUnited Airlines
Sat 12/133:17 pmDSM - SJO
2 stops21h 58mUnited Airlines
Deal found 11/19$619
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/18. 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 11/227:00 amSJO - DSM
2 stops14h 15mDelta
Sat 12/63:00 pmDSM - SJO
1 stop7h 20mDelta
Deal found 11/18$626
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/19. 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 11/227:00 amSJO - DSM
2 stops15h 53mAmerican Airlines
Sat 12/68:50 amDSM - SJO
2 stops12h 21mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 11/19$639

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from San José 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 19, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from San José to Des Moines that are best for you.

Fly from

San José

Fly to

Des Moines

Route

Depart

Return

Price

San JoséDes Moines

SJO - DSM

SJODSM

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Mon 12/15

6:00 am-4:19 pm

1 stop10h 19m

Des Moines

Wed 1/7

11:42 am-10:30 pm

1 stop10h 48m

$568

San JoséDes Moines

SJO - DSM

SJODSM

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Thu 12/4

7:00 am-10:34 pm

1 stop15h 34m

Des Moines

Mon 12/8

5:34 am-10:20 pm

1 stop16h 46m

$572

San JoséDes Moines

SJO - DSM

SJODSM

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Thu 4/2

7:55 am-2:26 pm

2 stops29h 31m

Des Moines

Mon 4/6

8:00 am-10:11 am

1 stop27h 11m

$574

San JoséDes Moines

SJO - DSM

SJODSM

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Thu 12/4

8:45 am-9:37 pm

2 stops12h 52m

Des Moines

Mon 12/8

3:17 pm-1:15 pm

2 stops21h 58m

$576

San JoséDes Moines

SJO - DSM

SJODSM

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Wed 4/1

12:01 am-4:17 pm

1 stop15h 16m

Des Moines

Mon 4/6

7:01 am-8:30 pm

1 stop14h 29m

$658

San JoséDes Moines

SJO - DSM

SJODSM

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Thu 12/4

1:31 pm-10:21 pm

1 stop8h 50m

$170

San JoséDes Moines

SJO - DSM

SJODSM

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Sat 12/6

5:10 pm-2:58 pm

3 stops45h 48m

$287

San JoséDes Moines

SJO - DSM

SJODSM

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Tue 12/2

1:20 pm-2:06 pm

3 stops48h 46m

$298

San JoséDes Moines

SJO - DSM

SJODSM

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Fri 12/5

7:00 am-5:47 pm

1 stop10h 47m

$305

San JoséDes Moines

SJO - DSM

SJODSM

San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Wed 12/3

2:20 pm-10:29 pm

1 stop8h 09m

$305

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 11/19

Showing 1-10 of 14 results
1
2
  • Most accurate provider: When it comes to deals on San José-Des Moines flights, users find the pricing of FlightHub to be most consistent on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub Users can find the same prices on San José-Des Moines flight deals on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub >95% of the time. Price accuracy is based on data collected from San José-Des Moines flight searches over the past month and is updated monthly.
  • Most trusted provider: When it comes to deals on San José-Des Moines flights, Cheapflights users trust FlightHub the most. FlightHub 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 José-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 José to Des Moines

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

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

Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San José to Des Moines (average of $422). Flying from San José to Des Moines in April is currently the most expensive (average of $764). 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 SJO to DSM?

Find hourly flight availability from San José 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 19, 2025.

It’s optimal to fly from San José to Des Moines in the morning. By choosing this option you can save up to 5% on the cost of your flight, compared to a flight in the evening.

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 19, 2025.
Read reviews from past customers who have flown United Airlines and American Airlines from San José 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.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
9,023 reviews

Crew

8.1

Boarding

7.7

Comfort

7.3

Entertainment

7.1

Food

6.6

Overall

7.4

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Sebrena,Oct 2025

IAH - RSW

The worst that I have ever experienced in my life so bad if it was free I'm not ever going to use your Airline again I dont believe ..... very disappointed 😞 😔0000000000000
United Airlines
7.4
Good
9,023 reviews
United Airlines
7.4
Good
9,023 reviews

Crew

8.1

Boarding

7.7

Comfort

7.3

Entertainment

7.1

Food

6.6

Overall

7.4

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Sebrena,Oct 2025

IAH - RSW

The worst that I have ever experienced in my life so bad if it was free I'm not ever going to use your Airline again I dont believe ..... very disappointed 😞 😔0000000000000
American Airlines
7.2
Good
11,046 reviews
United Airlines
7.4
Good
9,023 reviews

Crew

8.1

Boarding

7.7

Comfort

7.3

Entertainment

7.1

Food

6.6

Overall

7.4

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Sebrena,Oct 2025

IAH - RSW

The worst that I have ever experienced in my life so bad if it was free I'm not ever going to use your Airline again I dont believe ..... very disappointed 😞 😔0000000000000

Related info for your journey

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

    For as low as $568, American Airlines can have you in Des Moines from San José in 10h 19m. There are 2253 mi between San José and Des Moines. When browsing for deals, the options you’ll see will be for both nonstop flights and flights with stops.

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

    Cheapflights users have booked flights from San José to Des Moines round-trip from $495. Another airline that can offer you cheap pricing is American Airlines. You may be able to fly from San José to Des Moines for 16% less than the average price by searching for these airlines.

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

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

  • How can I find direct flights from San José 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 José to Des Moines.

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

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

    Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San José to Des Moines (average of $422). Flying from San José to Des Moines in April is currently the most expensive (average of $764). 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 San José to Des Moines

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Top 2 airlines flying from San José to Des Moines

Discover the top 2 airlines that operate flights from San José 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 19, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
United AirlinesCheapest$495Average$670FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
American AirlinesCheapest$510Average$609FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%

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