HomeSearch by dateVacation packagesHotelsFlight dealsCar rentalTravel tips & news
Oakland

$184+ 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 6/2. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DSM — OAK
Apr 16 — Apr 231
Thu 4/16
Thu 4/23
1 adult, Economy
We work with more than 300 partners to bring you better travel deals

Find cheap flights from Des Moines to Oakland 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.

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 March 17, 2026.

This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/15. 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 Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 5/66:55 am
DSM
-
OAK
1 stop5h 35m
Southwest
Wed 5/131:30 pm
OAK
-
DSM
1 stop5h 45m
Southwest
Deal found 3/15$399
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/14. 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 Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 4/307:10 pm
DSM
-
OAK
1 stop5h 25m
Southwest
Sun 5/311:55 pm
OAK
-
DSM
1 stop9h 50m
Southwest
Deal found 3/14$438
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/16. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 5/166:15 am
DSM
-
OAK
2 stops12h 10m
Delta
Tue 5/196:00 am
OAK
-
DSM
2 stops9h 06m
Delta
Deal found 3/16$449
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/14. 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 Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 5/227:10 pm
DSM
-
OAK
1 stop5h 25m
Southwest
Sun 5/241:50 pm
OAK
-
DSM
1 stop5h 25m
Southwest
Deal found 3/14$467
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/14. 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 Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 8/16:10 am
DSM
-
OAK
2 stops9h 05m
Southwest
Sun 8/97:05 am
OAK
-
DSM
2 stops9h 25m
Southwest
Deal found 3/14$477
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 3/16. 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 Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 4/126:40 am
DSM
-
OAK
1 stop5h 25m
Southwest
Thu 4/167:15 am
OAK
-
DSM
1 stop6h 15m
Southwest
Deal found 3/16$493

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 March 17, 2026.

Most accurate provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Most trusted provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Round-trip from

$399
(Southwest)

One-way from

$184
(Southwest)

Popular in

August

Cheapest in

February

Average price

$488
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. 11% potential increase in price ($58 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($13 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in March 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 March 17, 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Des Moines to Oakland that are best for you.

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cheapest round-trip

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Wed 5/6

6:55 am-10:30 am

1 stop5h 35m

Oakland

Wed 5/13

1:30 pm-9:15 pm

1 stop5h 45m

$399

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Sat 5/16

6:40 am-12:25 pm

2 stops7h 45m

Oakland

Tue 5/19

10:15 am-9:15 pm

2 stops9h 00m

$409

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Thu 4/30

1:45 pm-8:05 pm

2 stops8h 20m

Oakland

Sun 5/3

11:55 pm-11:45 am

1 stop9h 50m

$444
Quickest round-trip

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Fri 5/22

7:10 pm-10:35 pm

1 stop5h 25m

Oakland

Sun 5/24

1:50 pm-9:15 pm

1 stop5h 25m

$467

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Sat 8/1

6:10 am-1:15 pm

2 stops9h 05m

Oakland

Sun 8/9

7:05 am-6:30 pm

2 stops9h 25m

$477

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Sun 4/12

6:40 am-10:05 am

1 stop5h 25m

Oakland

Thu 4/16

6:25 am-3:30 pm

2 stops7h 05m

$498
Cheapest one-way
Quickest one-way

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Tue 6/2

6:55 am-1:10 pm

2 stops8h 15m

$189

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Wed 5/6

7:00 am-4:24 pm

2 stops11h 24m

$197

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Thu 5/7

1:04 pm-11:57 pm

2 stops12h 53m

$205

Des MoinesOakland

DSM - OAK

DSMOAK

Des Moines

Tue 5/5

4:23 pm-11:54 pm

2 stops9h 31m

$215

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 3/12

Showing 1-10 of 13 resultsSorted by cheapest first
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 March.
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, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Oakland, California (average of $150). 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 March 17, 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
4,320 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.5

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
4,320 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,320 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Overall

8.0

Entertainment

7.5

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 $399, Southwest can have you in Oakland, California from Des Moines in 5h 35m. Des Moines and Oakland, California are separated by a distance of 1534 mi.

  • 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 27% 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, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Oakland, California (average of $150). 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

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.

Alternative routes for Des Moines to Oakland

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
Des Moines to Las Vegas flights
Cedar Rapids to Las Vegas flights
Omaha to Las Vegas flights
Omaha to Los Angeles flights
Des Moines to Los Angeles flights
Des Moines to San Diego flights
Omaha to San Francisco flights
Omaha to San Diego flights
Cedar Rapids to San Diego flights
Des Moines to Ontario flights
Des Moines to San Francisco flights
Cedar Rapids to Los Angeles flights
Omaha to Ontario flights
Cedar Rapids to Ontario flights
Moline to Las Vegas flights
Des Moines to Santa Ana flights
Cedar Rapids to Santa Ana flights
Omaha to Sacramento flights
Des Moines to Reno flights
Moline to Los Angeles flights
Des Moines to Sacramento flights
Cedar Rapids to San Francisco flights
Des Moines to San Jose flights
Cedar Rapids to Reno flights
Des Moines to Fresno flights
Cedar Rapids to Sacramento flights
Des Moines to Palm Springs flights
Moline to San Diego flights
Omaha to Santa Ana flights
Omaha to Reno flights
Omaha to Oakland flights
Cedar Rapids to Palm Springs flights
La Crosse to Las Vegas flights
Omaha to San Jose flights
Moline to Sacramento flights
Moline to Santa Ana flights
Omaha to Palm Springs flights
Omaha to Burbank flights
Omaha to Santa Barbara flights
Des Moines to Burbank flights
Moline to San Francisco flights
Cedar Rapids to San Jose flights
Cedar Rapids to Burbank flights
Fort Dodge to Las Vegas flights
Sioux City to Las Vegas flights
Omaha to Long Beach flights
Omaha to Fresno flights
Des Moines to San Luis Obispo flights

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 March 17, 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
SouthwestCheapest$330Average$446FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%

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.