HomeSearch by dateVacation packagesHotelsFlight dealsCar rentalTravel tips & news
Shanghai

$626+ Cheap flights from Des Moines (DSM) to Shanghai, China

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 9/3. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DSM — SHA
Aug 25 — Sep 11
Mon 8/25
Mon 9/1
1 adult, Economy
We work with more than 300 partners to bring you better travel deals

Find cheap flights from Des Moines to Shanghai 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 Shanghai

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Des Moines (DSM) to Shanghai (CN2). 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 August 20, 2025.

Round-trip from

$1,098
(oojo)

One-way from

$626
(oojo)

Popular in

June

Cheapest in

April
From Des Moines to Shanghai
Search Deals
One-way flight from Des Moines to Shanghai
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 13% potential increase in price ($257 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 3% potential price decrease ($54 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Search Deals

Find flight deals from Des Moines to Shanghai

Cheapest flights from Des Moines to Shanghai
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Des Moines to Shanghai. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on August 20, 2025.

This oojo deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/20. 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 oojo is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 9/910:16 amDSM - PVG
2 stops35h 49mCathay Pacific
Tue 9/168:35 amPVG - DSM
2 stops22h 55mCathay Pacific
Deal found 8/20$1,098
This oojo deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/20. 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 oojo is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 10/316:00 amDSM - PVG
2 stops40h 40mCathay Pacific
Sat 11/157:00 pmPVG - DSM
2 stops37h 35mCathay Pacific
Deal found 8/20$1,145
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/20. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 9/96:00 amDSM - PVG
1 stop18h 45mDelta
Tue 9/163:45 pmPVG - DSM
1 stop17h 45mDelta
Deal found 8/20$1,173
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/20. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 10/306:05 amDSM - PVG
1 stop20h 15mDelta
Thu 11/135:30 pmPVG - DSM
1 stop17h 20mDelta
Deal found 8/20$1,281
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/20. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 10/306:05 amDSM - PVG
1 stop20h 15mDelta
Fri 11/145:30 pmPVG - DSM
1 stop17h 20mDelta
Deal found 8/20$1,290
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/20. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 10/307:03 amDSM - PVG
2 stops19h 47mDelta
Mon 11/176:00 pmPVG - DSM
2 stops30h 18mDelta
Deal found 8/20$1,295
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/20. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 10/306:05 amDSM - PVG
1 stop20h 15mDelta
Sat 11/155:30 pmPVG - DSM
1 stop29h 52mDelta
Deal found 8/20$1,297
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/20. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 10/316:05 amDSM - PVG
1 stop20h 15mDelta
Sun 11/165:30 pmPVG - DSM
1 stop17h 20mDelta
Deal found 8/20$1,299
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/20. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 10/317:03 amDSM - PVG
2 stops19h 47mDelta
Fri 11/145:30 pmPVG - DSM
2 stops30h 48mDelta
Deal found 8/20$1,304
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/20. 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 Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 11/112:30 pmDSM - PVG
1 stop37h 50mDelta
Sun 11/165:30 pmPVG - DSM
1 stop17h 20mDelta
Deal found 8/20$1,305
This Ovago deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/19. 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 Ovago is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 12/155:51 amDSM - SHA
2 stops39h 54mJapan Airlines
Mon 12/221:10 pmSHA - DSM
2 stops36h 03mJapan Airlines
Deal found 8/19$1,474
This lastminute.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/18. 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 lastminute.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 10/27:08 amDSM - SHA
2 stops39h 17mMultiple Airlines
Thu 10/91:35 pmSHA - DSM
2 stops35h 44mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 8/18$1,650

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Des Moines to Shanghai 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 August 20, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Des Moines to Shanghai that are best for you.

Fly from

Des Moines

Fly to

Shanghai

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Des MoinesShanghai

DSM - PVG

DSMPVG

Des Moines

Tue 9/9

10:16 am-11:05 am

2 stops35h 49m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Tue 9/16

8:35 am-6:30 pm

2 stops22h 55m

$1,098

Des MoinesShanghai

DSM - PVG

DSMPVG

Des Moines

Fri 10/31

6:00 am-11:40 am

2 stops40h 40m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Sat 11/15

7:00 pm-6:35 pm

2 stops37h 35m

$1,145

Des MoinesShanghai

DSM - PVG

DSMPVG

Des Moines

Tue 9/9

6:00 am-1:45 pm

1 stop18h 45m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Tue 9/16

3:45 pm-8:30 pm

1 stop17h 45m

$1,173

Des MoinesShanghai

DSM - PVG

DSMPVG

Des Moines

Thu 10/30

6:05 am-3:20 pm

1 stop20h 15m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Thu 11/13

5:30 pm-8:50 pm

1 stop17h 20m

$1,281

Des MoinesShanghai

DSM - PVG

DSMPVG

Des Moines

Thu 10/30

6:05 am-3:20 pm

1 stop20h 15m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Mon 11/17

5:30 pm-8:50 pm

1 stop17h 20m

$1,290

Des MoinesShanghai

DSM - PVG

DSMPVG

Des Moines

Thu 10/30

6:05 am-3:20 pm

1 stop20h 15m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Fri 11/14

5:30 pm-8:50 pm

1 stop17h 20m

$1,290

Des MoinesShanghai

DSM - PVG

DSMPVG

Des Moines

Thu 10/30

6:05 am-3:20 pm

1 stop20h 15m

Shanghai Pu Dong

Sun 11/16

5:30 pm-8:50 pm

1 stop17h 20m

$1,290

Des MoinesShanghai

DSM - SHA

DSMSHA

Des Moines

Mon 12/15

5:51 am-11:45 am

2 stops39h 54m

Shanghai Hongqiao Intl

Mon 12/22

1:10 pm-11:13 am

2 stops36h 03m

$1,474

Des MoinesShanghai

DSM - SHA

DSMSHA

Des Moines

Thu 10/2

7:08 am-11:25 am

2 stops39h 17m

Shanghai Hongqiao Intl

Thu 10/9

1:35 pm-12:19 pm

2 stops35h 44m

$1,650

Des MoinesShanghai

DSM - SHA

DSMSHA

Des Moines

Fri 10/3

7:08 am-11:25 am

2 stops39h 17m

Shanghai Hongqiao Intl

Tue 10/7

12:50 pm-1:18 pm

2 stops37h 28m

$1,680

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 8/18

Showing 1-10 of 15 results
1
2

Best time to book a flight from Des Moines to Shanghai

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Shanghai 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 Shanghai
No data available for this route at this time. Please check back soon.

Reviews of airlines servicing Shanghai

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Shanghai. 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 Shanghai. Reviews last updated August 20, 2025.
Read through reviews of airlines operating flights from Des Moines to Shanghai, such as Delta, United Airlines, and American Airlines. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Delta
8.0
Very good
7,982 reviews

Comfort

7.9

Overall

8.0

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.5

Food

7.3

Entertainment

7.9

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Kim,May 2025

PIH - SLC

This trip was fine even with delay I had plenty of time to get connection flight!
Delta
8.0
Very good
7,982 reviews
Delta
8.0
Very good
7,982 reviews

Comfort

7.9

Overall

8.0

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.5

Food

7.3

Entertainment

7.9

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Kim,May 2025

PIH - SLC

This trip was fine even with delay I had plenty of time to get connection flight!
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,928 reviews
Delta
8.0
Very good
7,982 reviews

Comfort

7.9

Overall

8.0

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.5

Food

7.3

Entertainment

7.9

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Kim,May 2025

PIH - SLC

This trip was fine even with delay I had plenty of time to get connection flight!
American Airlines
7.2
Good
10,000 reviews
Delta
8.0
Very good
7,982 reviews

Comfort

7.9

Overall

8.0

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.5

Food

7.3

Entertainment

7.9

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Kim,May 2025

PIH - SLC

This trip was fine even with delay I had plenty of time to get connection flight!

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Des Moines to Shanghai. 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 from for flights from Des Moines to Shanghai?

    For a flight from Des Moines to Shanghai, you will be flying from Des Moines. Des Moines (DSM) is just 3.6 mi from the center of the city. Des Moines is the only Des Moines airport and it handles 0 outbound flights to Shanghai per day. 3 airlines have flights to Shanghai from Des Moines on a regular basis.

  • How long is the flight from Des Moines to Shanghai?

    For as low as $1,173, Cathay Pacific can have you in Shanghai from Des Moines in 18h 45m. There are 6925 mi between Des Moines and Shanghai. Both multi-stop and nonstop flights can be found to your destination and back.

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

    Flying on American Airlines is currently your cheapest option to Shanghai, with prices starting at $994. Additional round-trip tickets that might be worth considering are offered by United Airlines and Delta, with the lowest prices starting at $1,289 and $1,416, respectively. Users have found that American Airlines is 38% cheaper than the other options available to this destination.

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

    The cheapest airlines for a one-way flight from Des Moines to Shanghai are Cathay Pacific ($626), Delta ($864), and United Airlines ($896).

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

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

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

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

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

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Des Moines to Shanghai 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 Shanghai?

    Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Shanghai (average of $1,118). Flying from Des Moines to Shanghai in June is currently the most expensive (average of $1,574). 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 Shanghai

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
Des Moines to Hongqiao Intl flights
Des Moines to Pu Dong flights
Cedar Rapids to Hongqiao Intl flights
Omaha to Hongqiao Intl flights
La Crosse to Hongqiao Intl flights

Top 3 airlines flying from Des Moines to Shanghai

Discover the top 3 airlines that operate flights from Des Moines to Shanghai. 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 August 20, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
American AirlinesCheapest$994Average$1,639FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$1,289Average$1,926FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
DeltaCheapest$1,416Average$1,930FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A

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.