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$284+ Cheap flights from Des Moines to Oakland, CA (DSM - OAK)

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 2/12. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DSM — OAK
Feb 28 — Mar 71
Sat 2/28
Sat 3/7
1 adult, Economy
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Cheap flight deals from Des Moines to Oakland

Cheapest flights from Des Moines to Oakland
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Des Moines to Oakland. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on January 29, 2026.

This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/27. 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.
Thu 3/192:15 pm
DSM
-
OAK
1 stop6h 00m
Southwest
Mon 3/2311:55 pm
OAK
-
DSM
1 stop9h 45m
Southwest
Deal found 1/27$425
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/27. 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.
Mon 9/217:00 am
DSM
-
OAK
1 stop7h 15m
Southwest
Thu 9/246:05 am
OAK
-
DSM
1 stop7h 05m
Southwest
Deal found 1/27$447
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/26. 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 3/176:55 am
DSM
-
OAK
2 stops11h 05m
Delta
Tue 3/244:49 pm
OAK
-
DSM
2 stops20h 53m
Delta
Deal found 1/26$466
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/26. 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 3/176:55 am
DSM
-
OAK
2 stops11h 05m
Delta
Mon 3/2312:35 pm
OAK
-
DSM
2 stops19h 11m
Delta
Deal found 1/26$546
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/29. 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.
Sun 3/158:40 pm
DSM
-
OAK
1 stop12h 40m
Southwest
Sun 3/2211:55 pm
OAK
-
DSM
1 stop10h 15m
Southwest
Deal found 1/29$578
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/26. 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.
Mon 3/164:25 pm
DSM
-
OAK
2 stops21h 26m
Delta
Tue 3/2412:35 pm
OAK
-
DSM
2 stops30h 35m
Delta
Deal found 1/26$586
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/26. 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.
Mon 3/165:47 pm
DSM
-
OAK
2 stops31h 59m
Delta
Mon 3/2312:35 pm
OAK
-
DSM
2 stops26h 19m
Delta
Deal found 1/26$688
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/26. 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 3/174:25 pm
DSM
-
OAK
2 stops9h 21m
Delta
Sun 3/2212:35 pm
OAK
-
DSM
2 stops19h 11m
Delta
Deal found 1/26$741

Find flight deals from Des Moines to Oakland

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Des Moines (DSM) to Oakland (OAK). 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 29, 2026.

Most accurate provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Most trusted provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Round-trip from

$425
(Southwest)

One-way from

$284
(Southwest)

Popular in

March

Cheapest in

January

Average price

$388
Provider with most accurate pricing for Des Moines-Oakland flight deals.
Search Deals
Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for Des Moines-Oakland flights.
Search Deals
From Des Moines to Oakland
Search Deals
One-way flight from Des Moines to Oakland
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 3% potential increase in price ($17 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($12 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in January 2026
Search Deals

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Des Moines to Oakland 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 29, 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Des Moines to Oakland that are best for you.

Fly from

Des Moines

Fly to

Oakland

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Thu 3/19

2:15 pm-6:15 pm

1 stop6h 00m

Oakland

Mon 3/23

11:55 pm-11:40 am

1 stop9h 45m

$425

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Tue 3/17

6:55 am-4:00 pm

2 stops11h 05m

Oakland

Tue 3/24

4:49 pm-3:42 pm

2 stops20h 53m

$466

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Tue 3/17

6:55 am-4:00 pm

2 stops11h 05m

Oakland

Mon 3/23

12:35 pm-9:46 am

2 stops19h 11m

$546

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Sun 3/15

8:40 pm-7:20 am

1 stop12h 40m

Oakland

Sun 3/22

11:55 pm-12:10 pm

1 stop10h 15m

$578

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Mon 3/16

4:25 pm-11:51 am

2 stops21h 26m

Oakland

Tue 3/24

12:35 pm-9:10 pm

2 stops30h 35m

$586

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Mon 3/16

5:47 pm-11:46 pm

2 stops31h 59m

Oakland

Mon 3/23

12:35 pm-4:54 pm

2 stops26h 19m

$688

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Tue 3/17

4:25 pm-11:46 pm

2 stops9h 21m

Oakland

Sun 3/22

12:35 pm-9:46 am

2 stops19h 11m

$741

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Fri 3/13

4:20 pm-12:10 am

1 stop9h 50m

Oakland

Fri 3/20

2:50 pm-10:20 pm

1 stop5h 30m

$987

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Thu 2/12

6:10 am-9:55 am

1 stop5h 45m

$284

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Thu 7/16

5:35 pm-11:49 pm

2 stops8h 14m

$323

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 1/27

Showing 1-10 of 16 results
1
2

Compare providers for flights from Des Moines to Oakland

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 Des Moines to Oakland in January.
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 Des Moines-Oakland, California flights, users find the pricing of FlightHub to be most consistent on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub Users can find the same prices on Des Moines-Oakland, California flight deals on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub >95% of the time. Price accuracy is based on data collected from Des Moines-Oakland, California flight searches over the past month and is updated monthly.
  • Most trusted provider: When it comes to deals on Des Moines-Oakland, California 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 Des Moines-Oakland, California 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 Des Moines to Oakland

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Oakland 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 Oakland

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Des Moines to Oakland, California?

Currently, December is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Oakland, California (average of $169). Flying from Des Moines to Oakland, California in May is currently the most expensive (average of $331). 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.

Reviews of airlines servicing Oakland

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Oakland. 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 Oakland. Reviews last updated January 29, 2026.
Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Southwest from Des Moines to Oakland by reading reviews from past customers. Users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,267 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Crew

8.6

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,267 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,267 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Crew

8.6

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Des Moines to Oakland. 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 Des Moines to Oakland, California?

    For as low as $425, Southwest can have you in Oakland, California from Des Moines in 6h. Des Moines and Oakland, California are separated by a distance of 1534 mi. When browsing for deals, the options you’ll see will be for both nonstop flights and flights with stops.

  • What is the cheapest airline to fly from Des Moines to Oakland, California round-trip?

    Currently priced at $330, Southwest will fly you from Des Moines to Oakland, California and back. In addition to Southwest, many other airlines offer competitively priced options for your trip. Users have found that Southwest is 31% cheaper than the other options available to this destination.

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

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

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

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

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

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Des Moines to Oakland 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 Oakland, California?

    Currently, December is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Oakland, California (average of $169). Flying from Des Moines to Oakland, California in May is currently the most expensive (average of $331). 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

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Alternative routes for Des Moines to Oakland

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Top airline flying from Des Moines to Oakland

Discover the top airline that operate flights from Des Moines to Oakland. 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 29, 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
SouthwestCheapest$330Average$472FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%

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