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$224+ Cheap flights from Des Moines to Santa Barbara (DSM - SBA)

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 10/26. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DSM — SBA
Oct 17 — Oct 241
Fri 10/17
Fri 10/24
1 adult, Economy
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Cheap flight deals from Des Moines to Santa Barbara

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Des Moines (DSM) to Santa Barbara (SBA). 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 September 17, 2025.

Round-trip from

$353
(United Airlines)

One-way from

$224
(American Airlines)

Popular in

November

Cheapest in

July

Average price

$437
From Des Moines to Santa Barbara
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One-way flight from Des Moines to Santa Barbara
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 19% potential increase in price ($116 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 4% potential price decrease ($22 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in September 2025
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Find flight deals from Des Moines to Santa Barbara

Cheapest flights from Des Moines to Santa Barbara
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Des Moines to Santa Barbara. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on September 17, 2025.

This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/15. 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 10/112:28 pmDSM - SBA
1 stop6h 01mAmerican Airlines
Sat 10/186:05 amSBA - DSM
1 stop5h 42mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 9/15$359
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/15. 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.
Thu 10/302:28 pmDSM - SBA
1 stop6h 02mAmerican Airlines
Thu 11/612:28 pmSBA - DSM
1 stop8h 26mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 9/15$361
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/17. 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 American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 11/225:10 amDSM - SBA
1 stop6h 28mAmerican Airlines
Fri 11/286:10 amSBA - DSM
1 stop5h 39mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 9/17$369
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/15. 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.
Sat 10/115:13 pmDSM - SBA
2 stops8h 46mUnited Airlines
Sat 10/186:30 amSBA - DSM
2 stops11h 41mUnited Airlines
Deal found 9/15$459
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/17. 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 Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 11/2211:35 amDSM - SBA
2 stops14h 20mSouthwest
Fri 11/285:25 amSBA - DSM
2 stops8h 05mSouthwest
Deal found 9/17$475
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/17. 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.
Sat 11/225:14 pmDSM - SBA
1 stop5h 48mUnited Airlines
Fri 11/282:30 pmSBA - DSM
2 stops7h 14mUnited Airlines
Deal found 9/17$476
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/15. 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.
Thu 10/235:30 amDSM - SBA
1 stop5h 26mAmerican Airlines
Sun 10/266:05 amSBA - DSM
1 stop5h 45mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 9/15$477
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/15. 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.
Thu 10/236:35 amDSM - SBA
2 stops8h 00mSouthwest
Sun 10/265:45 amSBA - DSM
1 stop9h 40mSouthwest
Deal found 9/15$486

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Des Moines to Santa Barbara 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 September 17, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Des Moines to Santa Barbara that are best for you.

Fly from

Des Moines

Fly to

Santa Barbara

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Des MoinesSanta Barbara

DSM - SBA

DSMSBA

Des Moines

Mon 1/19

3:35 pm-11:44 pm

2 stops10h 09m

Santa Barbara

Tue 2/10

5:00 am-12:52 pm

1 stop5h 52m

$353

Des MoinesSanta Barbara

DSM - SBA

DSMSBA

Des Moines

Mon 1/19

6:25 am-2:35 pm

1 stop10h 10m

Santa Barbara

Tue 2/10

11:20 am-7:20 pm

1 stop6h 00m

$353

Des MoinesSanta Barbara

DSM - SBA

DSMSBA

Des Moines

Sat 10/11

2:28 pm-6:29 pm

1 stop6h 01m

Santa Barbara

Sat 10/18

6:05 am-1:47 pm

1 stop5h 42m

$359

Des MoinesSanta Barbara

DSM - SBA

DSMSBA

Des Moines

Thu 10/30

5:04 am-11:40 am

1 stop8h 36m

Santa Barbara

Thu 11/6

6:49 pm-8:32 am

2 stops11h 43m

$366

Des MoinesSanta Barbara

DSM - SBA

DSMSBA

Des Moines

Sat 10/11

5:13 pm-11:59 pm

2 stops8h 46m

Santa Barbara

Sat 10/18

6:30 am-8:11 pm

2 stops11h 41m

$459

Des MoinesSanta Barbara

DSM - SBA

DSMSBA

Des Moines

Sun 10/26

5:00 am-11:40 am

1 stop8h 40m

$224

Des MoinesSanta Barbara

DSM - SBA

DSMSBA

Des Moines

Sun 10/26

7:00 am-2:45 pm

2 stops9h 45m

$314

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 9/16

Best time to book a flight from Des Moines to Santa Barbara

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

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Des Moines to Santa Barbara?

Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Santa Barbara (average of $353). Flying from Des Moines to Santa Barbara in June is currently the most expensive (average of $475). 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 Santa Barbara

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Santa Barbara. 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 Santa Barbara. Reviews last updated September 17, 2025.
Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Southwest, United Airlines, and American Airlines from Des Moines to Santa Barbara 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
4,242 reviews

Crew

8.6

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

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
4,242 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,242 reviews

Crew

8.6

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

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.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,926 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,242 reviews

Crew

8.6

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

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.
American Airlines
7.2
Good
10,000 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,242 reviews

Crew

8.6

Food

7.0

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

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 Santa Barbara. 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 Santa Barbara?

    Departing from Des Moines to Santa Barbara will take you 6h 01m. Des Moines and Santa Barbara are separated by a distance of 1500 mi. This flight may include one or multiple stops.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from Des Moines to Santa Barbara round-trip?

    According to our current data, Southwest ($353), American Airlines ($356), and United Airlines ($398) offers the cheapest pricing from Des Moines to Santa Barbara. Southwest is currently priced 26% below the average price you’ll pay for this route.

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

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

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

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

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

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Des Moines to Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara?

    Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Santa Barbara (average of $353). Flying from Des Moines to Santa Barbara in June is currently the most expensive (average of $475). 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 Santa Barbara?

Book flights to Santa Barbara if you plan to visit one of these locations
Buellton
Santa Ynez

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Alternative routes for Des Moines to Santa Barbara

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Top 3 airlines flying from Des Moines to Santa Barbara

Discover the top 3 airlines that operate flights from Des Moines to Santa Barbara. 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 September 17, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
SouthwestCheapest$353Average$437FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
American AirlinesCheapest$356Average$586FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$398Average$521FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

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