HomeSearch by dateVacation packagesHotelsFlight dealsCar rentalTravel tips & news
Des Moines

$111+ 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 6/17. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
WAS — DSM
Jun 21 — Jun 281
Sun 6/21
Sun 6/28
1 adult, Economy
We work with more than 300 partners to bring you better travel deals

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

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

Cheap 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 May 22, 2026.

This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/20. 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 7/236:36 am
BWI
-
DSM
2 stops17h 31m
Multiple Airlines
Mon 7/274:40 pm
DSM
-
BWI
1 stop18h 35m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 5/20$273
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/20. 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 7/91:05 pm
BWI
-
DSM
1 stop27h 45m
Multiple Airlines
Sun 7/193:59 pm
DSM
-
BWI
2 stops38h 27m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 5/20$287
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/20. 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 7/91:05 pm
BWI
-
DSM
1 stop27h 45m
Multiple Airlines
Mon 7/204:40 pm
DSM
-
BWI
1 stop18h 30m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 5/20$291
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/17. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 6/11:10 pm
BWI
-
DSM
1 stop11h 14m
Multiple Airlines
Fri 6/54:07 pm
DSM
-
BWI
1 stop19h 08m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 5/17$301
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/20. 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 7/28:31 am
BWI
-
DSM
2 stops15h 36m
Multiple Airlines
Mon 7/64:40 pm
DSM
-
BWI
1 stop18h 30m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 5/20$307
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/17. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 6/109:30 pm
BWI
-
DSM
1 stop12h 07m
Multiple Airlines
Sun 6/144:01 pm
DSM
-
BWI
2 stops38h 34m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 5/17$331
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/17. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 6/186:28 am
BWI
-
DSM
2 stops17h 30m
Multiple Airlines
Fri 6/196:44 pm
DSM
-
BWI
1 stop16h 29m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 5/17$344
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/20. 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.
Wed 5/273:26 pm
BWI
-
DSM
1 stop18h 27m
Multiple Airlines
Fri 5/293:57 pm
DSM
-
BWI
1 stop19h 18m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 5/20$346
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/20. 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 6/81:10 pm
BWI
-
DSM
1 stop11h 17m
Multiple Airlines
Wed 6/102:16 pm
DSM
-
BWI
2 stops26h 45m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 5/20$347
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/17. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 6/1512:32 pm
IAD
-
DSM
1 stop11h 05m
Multiple Airlines
Fri 6/1912:56 pm
DSM
-
IAD
1 stop23h 59m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 5/17$403
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/20. 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.
Wed 5/271:00 pm
DCA
-
DSM
2 stops10h 10m
Southwest
Fri 5/294:20 pm
DSM
-
DCA
1 stop5h 35m
Southwest
Deal found 5/20$404
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 5/18. 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.
Sun 5/2410:00 pm
DCA
-
DSM
Nonstop2h 50m
American Airlines
Wed 6/36:33 am
DSM
-
DCA
Nonstop2h 37m
American Airlines
Deal found 5/18$405

Find 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 May 22, 2026.

Most accurate provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Most trusted provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Round-trip from

$273
(Kiwi.com)

One-way from

$111
(Kiwi.com)

Popular in

March

Cheapest in

January

Average price

$447

Good round-trip deal

$435 or less

Good one-way deal

$347 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.
Search Deals
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. 7% potential increase in price ($34 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($10 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in May 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.
Search Deals

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 May 22, 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines that are best for you.

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cheapest round-trip

BaltimoreDes Moines

BWI - DSM

BWIDSM

Baltimore/Washington

Tue 8/11

6:05 am-10:18 am

1 stop5h 13m

Des Moines

Sat 8/22

11:22 am-6:35 pm

1 stop6h 13m

$374

BaltimoreDes Moines

BWI - DSM

BWIDSM

Baltimore/Washington

Tue 6/23

6:20 am-10:30 am

1 stop5h 10m

Des Moines

Mon 6/29

3:24 pm-9:26 pm

1 stop5h 02m

$376

BaltimoreDes Moines

BWI - DSM

BWIDSM

Baltimore/Washington

Sat 7/25

7:30 am-2:50 pm

1 stop8h 20m

Des Moines

Wed 7/29

5:20 am-10:15 am

1 stop3h 55m

$381

BaltimoreDes Moines

BWI - DSM

BWIDSM

Baltimore/Washington

Tue 6/23

5:20 pm-10:45 pm

2 stops6h 25m

Des Moines

Mon 6/29

4:40 pm-11:45 pm

1 stop6h 05m

$386

BaltimoreDes Moines

BWI - DSM

BWIDSM

Baltimore/Washington

Fri 8/21

6:05 am-10:18 am

1 stop5h 13m

Des Moines

Sun 8/23

6:00 am-11:42 am

1 stop4h 42m

$407

BaltimoreDes Moines

BWI - DSM

BWIDSM

Baltimore/Washington

Thu 6/25

5:40 am-10:43 am

1 stop6h 03m

Des Moines

Mon 6/29

5:34 pm-11:18 pm

1 stop4h 44m

$407

Washington, D.C.Des Moines

DCA - DSM

DCADSM

Washington, D.C. Reagan-National

Wed 6/3

12:00 pm-9:15 pm

2 stops10h 15m

Des Moines

Tue 6/9

5:20 am-4:10 pm

2 stops9h 50m

$409

BaltimoreDes Moines

BWI - DSM

BWIDSM

Baltimore/Washington

Fri 9/25

6:30 am-11:25 am

1 stop5h 55m

Des Moines

Sun 9/27

5:40 am-12:20 pm

2 stops5h 40m

$412

BaltimoreDes Moines

BWI - DSM

BWIDSM

Baltimore/Washington

Thu 8/20

6:30 am-11:25 am

1 stop5h 55m

Des Moines

Sun 8/23

5:40 am-12:30 pm

2 stops5h 50m

$415
Quickest round-trip

Washington, D.C.Des Moines

DCA - DSM

DCADSM

Washington, D.C. Reagan-National

Sat 8/1

8:00 pm-9:45 pm

Nonstop2h 45m

Des Moines

Sat 8/8

6:00 am-9:35 am

Nonstop2h 35m

$416

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 5/18

Showing 1-10 of 57 resultsSorted by cheapest first
1
2
3
...
6

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 May.
ProviderPrice AccuracyTrust Score*
ExpediaPrice Accuracy1 starTrust Score*3 stars
FlightHubPrice 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 FlightHub to be most consistent on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub Users can find the same prices on Washington, D.C.-Des Moines flight deals on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub >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 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 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

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

Currently, November is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines (average of $108). Flying from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines in June is currently the most expensive (average of $339). 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 May 22, 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 in the evening tend to be the most expensive. A flight in the afternoon could potentially save you up to 5% on airfare.

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 89% 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 19m.

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

The best time to book flights from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines is 53 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.

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 May 22, 2026.
See what other customers who have flown with Southwest,Delta, andUnited 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
7.9
Good
4,278 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Crew

8.6

Overall

7.9

Comfort

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Dominic,Mar 2026

MCO - SMF

I had to try and sleep on the floor of the Austin airport. I spent 12 hours there. The airline policies were so poor, that a near violent argument broke out between the people in front of me and the flight attendants - making for a super stressful situation at 30,000 feet. Garbage airline choice by Kayak Garbage idea to book a flight with a layover. Next time I will pay for a quality booking myself, and somehow force the company to reimburse it.
Southwest
7.9
Good
4,278 reviews
Southwest
7.9
Good
4,278 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Crew

8.6

Overall

7.9

Comfort

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Dominic,Mar 2026

MCO - SMF

I had to try and sleep on the floor of the Austin airport. I spent 12 hours there. The airline policies were so poor, that a near violent argument broke out between the people in front of me and the flight attendants - making for a super stressful situation at 30,000 feet. Garbage airline choice by Kayak Garbage idea to book a flight with a layover. Next time I will pay for a quality booking myself, and somehow force the company to reimburse it.
Delta
7.9
Good
8,449 reviews
Southwest
7.9
Good
4,278 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Crew

8.6

Overall

7.9

Comfort

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Dominic,Mar 2026

MCO - SMF

I had to try and sleep on the floor of the Austin airport. I spent 12 hours there. The airline policies were so poor, that a near violent argument broke out between the people in front of me and the flight attendants - making for a super stressful situation at 30,000 feet. Garbage airline choice by Kayak Garbage idea to book a flight with a layover. Next time I will pay for a quality booking myself, and somehow force the company to reimburse it.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
9,751 reviews
Southwest
7.9
Good
4,278 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Crew

8.6

Overall

7.9

Comfort

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Dominic,Mar 2026

MCO - SMF

I had to try and sleep on the floor of the Austin airport. I spent 12 hours there. The airline policies were so poor, that a near violent argument broke out between the people in front of me and the flight attendants - making for a super stressful situation at 30,000 feet. Garbage airline choice by Kayak Garbage idea to book a flight with a layover. Next time I will pay for a quality booking myself, and somehow force the company to reimburse it.
American Airlines
7.1
Good
11,644 reviews
Southwest
7.9
Good
4,278 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Crew

8.6

Overall

7.9

Comfort

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Dominic,Mar 2026

MCO - SMF

I had to try and sleep on the floor of the Austin airport. I spent 12 hours there. The airline policies were so poor, that a near violent argument broke out between the people in front of me and the flight attendants - making for a super stressful situation at 30,000 feet. Garbage airline choice by Kayak Garbage idea to book a flight with a layover. Next time I will pay for a quality booking myself, and somehow force the company to reimburse it.

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 1 inbound flight 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 $416, Southwest can have you in Des Moines from Washington, D.C. in 2h 45m. Airlines will cover a distance of 895 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 $118. Additional round-trip tickets that might be worth considering are offered by Southwest and American Airlines, with the lowest prices starting at $180 and $321, respectively. Delta is 74% 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 Southwest and United Airlines, 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. Dulles Intl - Des Moines, Washington, D.C. Reagan-National - 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, November is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines (average of $108). Flying from Washington, D.C. to Des Moines in June is currently the most expensive (average of $339). 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
Ames
Clive
Boone
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.

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 May 22, 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
DeltaCheapest$118Average$422FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
SouthwestCheapest$180Average$388FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
American AirlinesCheapest$264Average$380FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$270Average$458FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

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.