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Des Moines

$74+ Cheap flights from Washington, D.C. (WAS) 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 2/15. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
WAS — DSM
Feb 16 — Feb 231
Mon 2/16
Mon 2/23
1 adult, Economy
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Find cheap flights from Washington, D.C. 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

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3. Compare prices and book

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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines are usually found in February or April, booked 55 days in advance, depart on a Wednesday or Saturday and return on a Saturday

Cheap flight deals from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Washington, D.C. (WAS) 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 January 17, 2026.

Most accurate provider

Mytrip
3 stars

Most trusted provider

Mytrip
3 stars

Round-trip from

$173
(Kiwi.com)

One-way from

$74
(Kiwi.com)

Popular in

March

Cheapest in

February

Average price

$418

Good round-trip deal

$367 or less

Good one-way deal

$183 or less
Provider with most accurate pricing for Washington, D.C. (WAS)-Des Moines flight deals.
Search Deals
Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for Washington, D.C. (WAS)-Des Moines flights.
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From Washington, D.C. (WAS) to Des Moines
Search Deals
One-way flight from Washington, D.C. (WAS) to Des Moines
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 5% potential increase in price ($23 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 3% potential price decrease ($16 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in January 2026
Search Deals
Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Washington, D.C. (WAS) to Des Moines.
Search Deals
Price to beat on a one-way flight from Washington, D.C. (WAS) to Des Moines.
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Find flight deals from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines

Cheapest flights from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on January 17, 2026.

This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/16. 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.
Sun 2/152:00 pm
DCA
-
DSM
1 stop29h 32m
Frontier
Sun 2/227:45 pm
DSM
-
DCA
1 stop16h 15m
Frontier
Deal found 1/16$173
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/15. 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 2/168:00 am
DCA
-
DSM
1 stop11h 32m
Frontier
Thu 2/197:32 pm
DSM
-
DCA
1 stop16h 43m
Frontier
Deal found 1/15$219
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/14. 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.
Thu 2/196:00 pm
DCA
-
DSM
1 stop25h 19m
Frontier
Sun 2/227:45 pm
DSM
-
DCA
1 stop16h 15m
Frontier
Deal found 1/14$225
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/14. 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.
Thu 2/196:20 am
BWI
-
DSM
1 stop17h 52m
Multiple Airlines
Sun 2/223:32 pm
DSM
-
BWI
1 stop16h 34m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 1/14$311
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/15. 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.
Fri 3/66:00 am
BWI
-
DSM
1 stop4h 56m
Delta
Sun 3/85:20 pm
DSM
-
BWI
1 stop6h 33m
Delta
Deal found 1/15$315
This Trip.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/15. 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 Trip.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 3/138:00 am
DCA
-
DSM
1 stop12h 16m
Frontier
Mon 3/168:21 pm
DSM
-
DCA
1 stop24h 38m
Frontier
Deal found 1/15$316
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/15. 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.
Tue 2/106:00 am
BWI
-
DSM
1 stop4h 41m
Delta
Sat 2/146:19 am
DSM
-
BWI
1 stop6h 57m
Delta
Deal found 1/15$317
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/15. 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 3/610:00 pm
BWI
-
DSM
1 stop12h 25m
Multiple Airlines
Mon 3/98:21 pm
DSM
-
BWI
2 stops17h 03m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 1/15$318
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/17. 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 2/2410:30 am
BWI
-
DSM
2 stops10h 37m
United Airlines
Thu 2/265:30 am
DSM
-
BWI
1 stop8h 37m
United Airlines
Deal found 1/17$320
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/15. 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 2/1010:05 am
BWI
-
DSM
2 stops11h 29m
United Airlines
Tue 2/173:24 pm
DSM
-
BWI
1 stop4h 53m
United Airlines
Deal found 1/15$322
This Booking.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/16. 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 Booking.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 2/252:00 pm
DCA
-
DSM
1 stop29h 42m
Frontier
Sun 3/17:27 pm
DSM
-
DCA
1 stop16h 33m
Frontier
Deal found 1/16$323
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/15. 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 10/31:44 pm
DCA
-
DSM
Nonstop2h 38m
American Airlines
Sat 10/173:53 pm
DSM
-
DCA
Nonstop2h 22m
American Airlines
Deal found 1/15$327

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Washington, D.C. 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 January 17, 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines that are best for you.

Fly from

Washington, D.C.

Fly to

Des Moines

Route

Depart

Return

Price

BaltimoreDes Moines

BWI - DSM

BWIDSM

Baltimore/Washington

Thu 3/5

11:45 am-4:57 pm

1 stop6h 12m

Des Moines

Sun 3/8

4:25 pm-11:59 pm

1 stop6h 34m

$315

BaltimoreDes Moines

BWI - DSM

BWIDSM

Baltimore/Washington

Fri 3/6

5:00 am-9:01 am

1 stop5h 01m

Des Moines

Mon 3/9

5:00 am-12:02 pm

1 stop6h 02m

$315

BaltimoreDes Moines

BWI - DSM

BWIDSM

Baltimore/Washington

Tue 2/24

6:07 am-2:17 pm

1 stop9h 10m

Des Moines

Thu 2/26

8:00 am-2:01 pm

1 stop5h 01m

$315

BaltimoreDes Moines

BWI - DSM

BWIDSM

Baltimore/Washington

Fri 4/17

6:00 am-10:18 am

1 stop5h 18m

Des Moines

Sun 4/19

5:45 pm-11:02 pm

1 stop4h 17m

$315

BaltimoreDes Moines

BWI - DSM

BWIDSM

Baltimore/Washington

Mon 2/23

6:40 pm-11:40 pm

1 stop6h 00m

Des Moines

Tue 2/24

2:00 pm-9:16 pm

1 stop6h 16m

$315

BaltimoreDes Moines

BWI - DSM

BWIDSM

Baltimore/Washington

Sat 3/7

6:05 am-10:17 am

1 stop5h 12m

Des Moines

Mon 3/9

11:02 am-6:04 pm

1 stop6h 02m

$315

BaltimoreDes Moines

BWI - DSM

BWIDSM

Baltimore/Washington

Tue 2/17

8:00 am-1:07 pm

1 stop6h 07m

Des Moines

Thu 2/19

5:00 am-11:18 am

1 stop5h 18m

$315

BaltimoreDes Moines

BWI - DSM

BWIDSM

Baltimore/Washington

Fri 3/6

6:00 am-9:56 am

1 stop4h 56m

Des Moines

Sun 3/8

4:25 pm-11:59 pm

1 stop6h 34m

$315

BaltimoreDes Moines

BWI - DSM

BWIDSM

Baltimore/Washington

Fri 3/13

6:15 am-10:22 am

1 stop5h 07m

Des Moines

Mon 3/16

4:25 pm-11:59 pm

1 stop6h 34m

$315

BaltimoreDes Moines

BWI - DSM

BWIDSM

Baltimore/Washington

Tue 2/10

5:18 pm-9:50 pm

1 stop5h 32m

Des Moines

Tue 2/17

3:24 pm-9:17 pm

1 stop4h 53m

$317

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 1/17

Showing 1-10 of 59 results
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Compare providers for flights from Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C. to Des Moines in January.
ProviderPrice AccuracyTrust Score*
ExpediaPrice Accuracy2 starsTrust Score*3 stars
FlightHubPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*1 star
eDreamsPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*3 stars
MytripPrice 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 Washington, D.C.-Des Moines flights, users find the pricing of Mytrip to be most consistent on Cheapflights vs. Mytrip Users can find the same prices on Washington, D.C.-Des Moines flight deals on Cheapflights vs. Mytrip >95% of the time. Price accuracy is based on data collected from Washington, D.C.-Des Moines flight searches over the past month and is updated monthly.
  • Most trusted provider: When it comes to deals on Washington, D.C.-Des Moines flights, Cheapflights users trust Mytrip the most. Mytrip 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 Washington, D.C.-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 Washington, D.C. to Des Moines

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Des Moines from Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C. to Des Moines

How far ahead should I book a flight from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines. Price data was last updated on January 16, 2026.

The best time to book flights from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines is 55 days before your desired departure date. The cost of your flight will likely increase significantly if you book two weeks in advance of your flight.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines?

Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines (average of $74). Flying from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines in May is currently the most expensive (average of $295). 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 WAS to DSM?

Find hourly flight availability from Washington, D.C. 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 January 17, 2026.

One of the essential ways to save on airfare from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines is to remain as flexible as possible. Flights that are at noon tend to be the most expensive. A flight in the evening could potentially save you up to 3% on airfare.

Weekly flight availability from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines

Explore weekly flight availability from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines. Discover flights operating on different days of the week, giving you the flexibility to choose a travel day that best fits your plans. Compare info to find the most convenient option for your journey. Data last updated January 17, 2026.

The most flights from WAS to DSM are scheduled on a Monday (3 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Monday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (3 on average).

How much does it cost to fly round-trip from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines?

What’s the top layover airport for flights from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines?

Share of 1-stop round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines chosen by Cheapflights users in the past 12 months, using the same layover each way.

Chicago (ORD) – chosen by Cheapflights users on 80% of 1-stop itineraries from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines on Cheapflights.

What’s the cheapest layover airport for flights from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines?

Average round-trip fare for 1-stop flights from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines, chosen by Cheapflights users in the past 12 months, with the same layover each way.

St. Louis (STL) is the most affordable 1-stop option, with an average round-trip price of $426.

What’s the fastest layover option from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines?

Shortest average travel time for 1-stop one-way flights from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines, based on itineraries clicked by Cheapflights users over the past 12 months, grouped by layover airport.

Flights via St. Louis (STL) have the shortest average one-way travel time for 1-stop routes: 4h 10m.

Which airport typically offers the quickest layover for flights from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines?

Average layover duration for 1-stop one-way flights from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines, chosen by Cheapflights users in the last 12 months, grouped by stopover airport.

Flights via Chicago (ORD) offer the fastest connection on this route, with an average layover time of 1h 12m.

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 January 17, 2026.
See what other customers who have flown with Southwest, Delta, and United Airlines from Washington, D.C. 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
4,261 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Thomas,Dec 2025

SEA - DEN

Plane two hours late in leaving 1:00 pm west coat time got home next day at 2:45am most car rental places are closed and don’t open till 5am
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,261 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,261 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Thomas,Dec 2025

SEA - DEN

Plane two hours late in leaving 1:00 pm west coat time got home next day at 2:45am most car rental places are closed and don’t open till 5am
Delta
7.9
Good
8,075 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,261 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Thomas,Dec 2025

SEA - DEN

Plane two hours late in leaving 1:00 pm west coat time got home next day at 2:45am most car rental places are closed and don’t open till 5am
United Airlines
7.4
Good
9,174 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,261 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Thomas,Dec 2025

SEA - DEN

Plane two hours late in leaving 1:00 pm west coat time got home next day at 2:45am most car rental places are closed and don’t open till 5am
American Airlines
7.2
Good
11,155 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,261 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Thomas,Dec 2025

SEA - DEN

Plane two hours late in leaving 1:00 pm west coat time got home next day at 2:45am most car rental places are closed and don’t open till 5am

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Washington, D.C. 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 airport do you fly into for flights to Des Moines from Washington, D.C.?

    Des Moines (DSM) is the airport you will fly into if you book a flight from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines. You should not have trouble finding flights to Des Moines from Washington, D.C.; the airport handles an average of 3 inbound flights from Washington, D.C. per day. You should also have plenty of airline options to choose from since 4 airlines have flights to the Des Moines airport from Washington, D.C.. It is only a 3.6 mi journey from Des Moines (DSM) to Des Moines’s city center.

  • How long is the flight from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines?

    For as low as $315, Delta can have you in Des Moines from Washington, D.C. in 5h 01m. Airlines will cover a distance of 907 mi. 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 Washington, D.C. to Des Moines round-trip?

    Flying on Delta is currently your cheapest option to Des Moines, with prices starting at $74. Additional round-trip tickets that might be worth considering are offered by Southwest and United Airlines, with the lowest prices starting at $180 and $261, respectively. Delta is 83% cheaper than the average price of flights available within the next 90 days to this destination.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines one-way?

    The cheapest airline one-way is American Airlines, with whom users have recently found tickets for as low as $128. However, be on the lookout for offers from Delta and Southwest, as they are both options that can get you from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines for a low price.

  • What are the most popular routes from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines?

    When deciding which route to take from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines consider Washington, D.C. Reagan-National - Des Moines, Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl - Des Moines or Baltimore/Washington - Des Moines as they are the most popular.

  • Can I find deals for flights from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines that include hotel bookings?

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

  • How can I find direct flights from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines?

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

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C. to Des Moines?

    Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines (average of $74). Flying from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines in May is currently the most expensive (average of $295). 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

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Top 4 airlines flying from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines

Discover the top 4 airlines that operate flights from Washington, D.C. 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 January 17, 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
DeltaCheapest$74Average$385FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
SouthwestCheapest$180Average$389FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
American AirlinesCheapest$246Average$345FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$261Average$449FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

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