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$88+ Cheap flights from Des Moines to Los Angeles (DSM - LAX)

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 6/29. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DSM — LAX
Jun 17 — Jun 241
Tue 6/17
Tue 6/24
1 adult, Economy
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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Des Moines to Los Angeles are usually found in August or July, booked 90 days in advance, depart on a Thursday or Friday and return on a Tuesday

Cheap flight deals from Des Moines to Los Angeles

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Des Moines (DSM) to Los Angeles (LAX). 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 June 12, 2025.

Round-trip from

$169
(Mytrip)

One-way from

$88
(Mytrip)

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

August

Average price

$365

Good round-trip deal

$411 or less

Good one-way deal

$233 or less
From Des Moines to Los Angeles
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One-way flight from Des Moines to Los Angeles
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 10% potential increase in price ($42 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($7 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in June 2025
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Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Des Moines to Los Angeles.
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Price to beat on a one-way flight from Des Moines to Los Angeles.
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Find flight deals from Des Moines to Los Angeles

Cheapest flights from Des Moines to Los Angeles
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Des Moines to Los Angeles. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on June 12, 2025.

This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/11. 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.
Wed 7/97:30 amDSM - LAX
1 stop17h 20mMultiple Airlines
Wed 7/166:00 amLAX - DSM
1 stop6h 26mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 6/11$169
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/10. 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 9/23:50 pmDSM - LAX
1 stop9h 16mDelta
Wed 9/1011:35 pmLAX - DSM
1 stop8h 43mDelta
Deal found 6/10$237
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/11. 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 8/2012:15 pmDSM - LAX
1 stop5h 40mSouthwest
Mon 8/256:05 amLAX - DSM
2 stops8h 40mSouthwest
Deal found 6/11$242
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/12. 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 11/243:20 pmDSM - LAX
Nonstop4h 25mAmerican Airlines
Thu 11/279:05 amLAX - DSM
Nonstop3h 40mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/12$257
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/11. 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 8/88:00 amDSM - LAX
1 stop7h 23mUnited Airlines
Mon 8/114:13 pmLAX - DSM
1 stop5h 46mUnited Airlines
Deal found 6/11$259
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/10. 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.
Sun 9/78:41 pmDSM - LAX
1 stop5h 44mFrontier
Mon 9/156:15 amLAX - DSM
1 stop11h 41mFrontier
Deal found 6/10$281

Cheapflights Fare Finder

Customize your flight search to find flights from Des Moines to Los Angeles 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 June 12, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Des Moines to Los Angeles that are best for you.

Fly from

Des Moines

Fly to

Los Angeles

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Des MoinesLos Angeles

DSM - LAX

DSMLAX

Des Moines

Wed 7/9

7:30 am-10:50 pm

1 stop17h 20m

Los Angeles

Wed 7/16

6:00 am-2:26 pm

1 stop6h 26m

$169

Des MoinesLos Angeles

DSM - LAX

DSMLAX

Des Moines

Tue 9/2

5:44 am-11:00 am

1 stop7h 16m

Los Angeles

Sat 9/6

6:30 am-4:45 pm

1 stop8h 15m

$237

Des MoinesLos Angeles

DSM - LAX

DSMLAX

Des Moines

Wed 8/20

12:15 pm-3:55 pm

1 stop5h 40m

Los Angeles

Mon 8/25

6:05 am-4:45 pm

2 stops8h 40m

$242

Des MoinesLos Angeles

DSM - LAX

DSMLAX

Des Moines

Mon 11/24

3:20 pm-5:45 pm

Nonstop4h 25m

Los Angeles

Thu 11/27

9:05 am-2:45 pm

Nonstop3h 40m

$257

Des MoinesLos Angeles

DSM - LAX

DSMLAX

Des Moines

Fri 8/8

8:00 am-1:23 pm

1 stop7h 23m

Los Angeles

Mon 8/11

4:13 pm-11:59 pm

1 stop5h 46m

$259

Des MoinesLos Angeles

DSM - LAX

DSMLAX

Des Moines

Sun 9/7

8:41 pm-12:25 am

1 stop5h 44m

Los Angeles

Sun 9/14

6:15 am-7:56 pm

1 stop11h 41m

$281

Des MoinesLos Angeles

DSM - LAX

DSMLAX

Des Moines

Sun 6/29

10:00 pm-9:23 pm

1 stop25h 23m

$88

Des MoinesLos Angeles

DSM - LAX

DSMLAX

Des Moines

Sat 7/19

7:00 am-12:58 pm

1 stop7h 58m

$111

Des MoinesLos Angeles

DSM - LAX

DSMLAX

Des Moines

Thu 6/26

8:00 am-3:23 pm

1 stop9h 23m

$136

Des MoinesLos Angeles

DSM - LAX

DSMLAX

Des Moines

Sat 7/19

12:55 pm-10:55 pm

1 stop12h 00m

$143

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 6/11

Showing 1-10 of 12 results
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Best time to book a flight from Des Moines to Los Angeles

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Los Angeles from Des Moines 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 Des Moines to Los Angeles

How far ahead should I book a flight from Des Moines to Los Angeles?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight from Des Moines to Los Angeles. Price data was last updated on June 9, 2025.

Booking 90 days in advance of your planned departure date is, on average, the best time to get cheap flights from Des Moines to Los Angeles. 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 Des Moines to Los Angeles?

Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Los Angeles (average of $246). Flying from Des Moines to Los Angeles in March is currently the most expensive (average of $327). 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 DSM to LAX?

Find hourly flight availability from Des Moines to Los Angeles. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated June 12, 2025.

A simple way to save on the total cost of your ticket is to fly from Des Moines to Los Angeles in the evening. If you’re flexible enough to do this you can expect to save up to 79% on your trip compared to booking a flight in the afternoon.

What is the cheapest day to fly from Des Moines to Los Angeles?

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly round-trip from Des Moines to Los Angeles. Price data was last updated on June 8, 2025.

Travelers seeking maximum savings on their Des Moines to Los Angeles flight should consider departing on Friday mornings when fares are most often at their lowest. Sunday afternoons flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.

Rainfall in Los Angeles by month

Plan your trip to Los Angeles by taking into account the average rainfall totals by month.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Los Angeles ranges from 0.0 - 3.4 inches per month. February is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 3.4 in. July is typically the driest time to visit Los Angeles when rainfall is around 0.0 in.

Temperature in Los Angeles by month

Plan your trip to Los Angeles by taking into account the average temperature totals by month.

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Los Angeles, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, July is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 73.4 F. Travelers looking to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 57.2 F).

Reviews of airlines servicing Los Angeles

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Los Angeles. 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 Los Angeles. Reviews last updated June 12, 2025.
Read through reviews of airlines operating flights from Des Moines to Los Angeles, such as Southwest, Delta and United Airlines. Reviews also offer insight into each airline's entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,287 reviews

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.6

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.1

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.6

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Merlyn,Feb 2025

LAX - SMF

New Terminal is neat, lost of stores and places to catch a bite.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,287 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,287 reviews

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.6

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.1

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.6

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Merlyn,Feb 2025

LAX - SMF

New Terminal is neat, lost of stores and places to catch a bite.
Delta
8.0
Very good
7,946 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,287 reviews

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.6

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.1

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.6

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Merlyn,Feb 2025

LAX - SMF

New Terminal is neat, lost of stores and places to catch a bite.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,790 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,287 reviews

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.6

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.1

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.6

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Merlyn,Feb 2025

LAX - SMF

New Terminal is neat, lost of stores and places to catch a bite.
American Airlines
7.2
Good
10,000 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,287 reviews

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.6

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.1

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.6

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Merlyn,Feb 2025

LAX - SMF

New Terminal is neat, lost of stores and places to catch a bite.
Frontier
6.0
Okay
3,295 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,287 reviews

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.6

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.1

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.6

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Merlyn,Feb 2025

LAX - SMF

New Terminal is neat, lost of stores and places to catch a bite.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Des Moines to Los Angeles. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.

  • How popular is this Des Moines to Los Angeles flight route?

    This flight path from Des Moines to Los Angeles was viewed by 2 users in the past month. Keep an eye out for changes in search interest prior to high and low season.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from Des Moines to Los Angeles round-trip?

    According to our current data, Delta ($237), Southwest ($242), and American Airlines ($257) offers the cheapest pricing from Des Moines to Los Angeles. You may be able to fly from Des Moines to Los Angeles for 38% less than the average price by searching for these airlines.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Des Moines to Los Angeles one-way?

    One-way options have recently been found by users for as low as $111 on Delta. Other airlines that offer cheap prices include United Airlines from $136 and Southwest from $143 one-way.

  • What are the cheapest flights from Des Moines to Los Angeles?

    On average you can expect to pay $1,068 for a flight from Des Moines to Los Angeles. The cheapest flight overall is $89 while the most popular route, (Des Moines - Los Angeles) is currently priced at $170.

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

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

  • How can I find direct flights from Des Moines to Los Angeles?

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

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from Des Moines to Los Angeles?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Des Moines to Los Angeles 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 Des Moines to Los Angeles?

    Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Los Angeles (average of $246). Flying from Des Moines to Los Angeles in March is currently the most expensive (average of $327). 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
Stanton
Oceanside
Downey
Inglewood
Buena Park
Moreno Valley
Universal City
Avalon
El Segundo
Santa Clarita
Montebello
Glendale
Rowland Heights
La Mirada
San Gabriel
Encinitas
Palmdale
Del Mar
Garden Grove
Marina del Rey

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Alternative routes for Des Moines to Los Angeles

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Top 6 airlines flying from Des Moines to Los Angeles

Discover the top 6 airlines that operate flights from Des Moines to Los Angeles. 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 June 12, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
FrontierCheapest$118Average$228FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
Allegiant AirCheapest$132Average$189FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time88%
United AirlinesCheapest$256Average$420FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
American AirlinesCheapest$276Average$407FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
DeltaCheapest$290Average$406FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
SouthwestCheapest$334Average$422FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%

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