How long is the flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

A quick flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. can take about 2h 28m. American Airlines provides one of the quickest options available for as low as $309. The distance between Des Moines and Washington, D.C. is about 895 mi. Both multi-stop and nonstop flights can be found to your destination and back.

What are the cheapest airlines flying from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. round-trip?

Flying on United Airlines is currently your cheapest option to Washington, D.C., with prices starting at $166. Additional round-trip tickets that might be worth considering are offered by Delta and Southwest, with the lowest prices starting at $174 and $180, respectively. These flights start at 60% lower than the current average price 3 months from now.

What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. one-way?

The cheapest airlines for a one-way flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. are Delta ($114), American Airlines ($126), and Southwest ($144).

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Washington, D.C. ranges from 2.6 - 4.0 inches per month. May is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 4.0 in. February is typically the driest time to visit Washington, D.C. when rainfall is around 2.6 in.

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Washington, D.C., 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 80.6 F. Travelers looking to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 35.6 F).

What are the most popular routes from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

While some choose either Des Moines - Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl or Des Moines - Baltimore/Washington, Des Moines - Washington, D.C. Reagan-National is the most popular route from Des Moines to Washington, D.C..

What are the most popular airlines that fly from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

Consider American Airlines, Delta or United Airlines when booking your flight. These represent the most popular airlines when flying from Des Moines to Washington, D.C..

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

Most trusted provider : When it comes to deals on Des Moines-Washington, D.C. flights, Cheapflights users trust eDreams the most. eDreams 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-Washington, D.C. flight deals. Provider user feedback score is based on Cheapflights searches over the past month and is updated monthly.

What airport do you fly from for flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

Des Moines (DSM), located 3.6 mi from the city center, is the airport you fly out of when you book flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.. 4 airlines have flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. on a regular basis. Booking flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. should not be difficult; the airport handles an average of 0 outbound flights to Washington, D.C. per day.

Can I find deals for flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. that include hotel bookings?

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

How can I find direct flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

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

Can I find deals for business class flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

$71+ Flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. are usually found in May or August, booked 90 days in advance, depart on a Wednesday or Saturday and return on a Wednesday

Cheap flight deals from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

Cheapest flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on December 23, 2025.

Tue 12/232:35 pmDSM - DCA

1 stop6h 24mFrontier

Sat 12/278:00 amDCA - DSM

1 stop12h 44mFrontier

Deal found 12/22

$422

Thu 12/255:35 amDSM - IAD

1 stop5h 38mDelta

Wed 12/316:00 amIAD - DSM

1 stop6h 28mDelta

Deal found 12/22

$438

Wed 12/248:47 amDSM - DCA

1 stop6h 31mAmerican Airlines

Sun 12/2810:35 amDCA - DSM

Nonstop2h 51mAmerican Airlines

Deal found 12/21

$448

Wed 12/314:15 pmDSM - DCA

1 stop4h 40mSouthwest

Mon 1/56:50 pmDCA - DSM

1 stop5h 45mSouthwest

Deal found 12/21

$452

Wed 12/2411:35 amDSM - DCA

1 stop4h 24mUnited Airlines

Sun 12/286:30 amDCA - DSM

1 stop5h 20mUnited Airlines

Deal found 12/22

$458

Wed 12/2411:35 amDSM - IAD

1 stop4h 55mUnited Airlines

Sun 12/286:30 amIAD - DSM

1 stop5h 20mUnited Airlines

Deal found 12/22

$458

Fri 12/266:35 amDSM - DCA

2 stops8h 40mSouthwest

Wed 12/318:15 amDCA - DSM

1 stop4h 10mSouthwest

Deal found 12/21

$463

Tue 12/2312:56 pmDSM - DCA

Nonstop2h 23mAmerican Airlines

Sat 12/277:00 amDCA - DSM

1 stop6h 54mAmerican Airlines

Deal found 12/22

$493

Tue 12/233:14 pmDSM - DCA

1 stop4h 45mUnited Airlines

Sat 12/276:30 amDCA - DSM

1 stop5h 20mUnited Airlines

Deal found 12/22

$503

Tue 12/236:59 amDSM - IAD

1 stop5h 42mDelta

Wed 12/314:17 pmIAD - DSM

1 stop5h 28mDelta

Deal found 12/22

$503

Fri 12/265:30 amDSM - DCA

1 stop5h 05mSouthwest

Thu 1/16:10 pmDCA - DSM

1 stop4h 25mSouthwest

Deal found 12/22

$513

Mon 12/223:00 pmDSM - DCA

1 stop7h 49mUnited Airlines

Thu 12/2510:30 amDCA - DSM

1 stop5h 03mUnited Airlines

Deal found 12/21

$520

Best flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.
Discover carefully curated flight deals from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. that have cost, travel time, and layovers in mind to ensure you get the best travel experience. Data last updated December 23, 2025.

Wed 2/41:16 pmDSM - DCA

Nonstop2h 28mAmerican Airlines

Sat 2/710:43 amDCA - DSM

Nonstop3h 03mAmerican Airlines

Deal found 12/21

$309

Wed 2/43:35 pmDSM - BWI

1 stop4h 46mUnited Airlines

Sat 2/710:05 amBWI - DSM

1 stop5h 28mUnited Airlines

Deal found 12/22

$317

Wed 2/411:26 amDSM - BWI

1 stop5h 20mDelta

Wed 2/116:00 amBWI - DSM

1 stop5h 41mDelta

Deal found 12/21

$317

Tue 3/33:20 pmDSM - DCA

1 stop4h 40mSouthwest

Sat 3/712:00 pmDCA - DSM

2 stops11h 50mSouthwest

Deal found 12/21

$318

Wed 2/44:25 pmDSM - IAD

1 stop5h 47mAmerican Airlines

Wed 2/115:46 pmIAD - DSM

1 stop6h 22mAmerican Airlines

Deal found 12/21

$316

Sat 2/76:24 amDSM - BWI

1 stop6h 22mDelta

Sat 2/287:15 amBWI - DSM

1 stop5h 59mDelta

Deal found 12/21

$317

Wed 1/216:10 amDSM - DCA

1 stop4h 05mSouthwest

Wed 1/281:00 pmDCA - DSM

2 stops9h 10mSouthwest

Deal found 12/22

$322

Wed 2/44:25 pmDSM - BWI

1 stop5h 56mAmerican Airlines

Sat 2/712:50 pmBWI - DSM

1 stop4h 34mAmerican Airlines

Deal found 12/22

$317

Wed 3/45:15 pmDSM - BWI

1 stop6h 20mDelta

Sun 3/85:40 amBWI - DSM

1 stop5h 06mDelta

Deal found 12/21

$317

Wed 2/183:24 pmDSM - DCA

1 stop4h 35mUnited Airlines

Sun 2/226:00 pmDCA - DSM

1 stop4h 41mUnited Airlines

Deal found 12/22

$369

Wed 2/113:20 pmDSM - DCA

2 stops7h 00mSouthwest

Sat 2/1412:25 pmDCA - DSM

2 stops7h 50mSouthwest

Deal found 12/22

$339

Tue 3/36:50 amDSM - BWI

1 stop6h 04mDelta

Sun 3/85:40 amBWI - DSM

1 stop5h 06mDelta

Deal found 12/22

$317

Thu 3/52:02 pmDSM - BWI

1 stop7h 00mAmerican Airlines

Sat 3/76:30 amBWI - DSM

1 stop7h 47mAmerican Airlines

Deal found 12/21

$317

Wed 2/45:16 pmDSM - BWI

1 stop6h 25mDelta

Sat 2/286:00 amBWI - DSM

1 stop7h 14mDelta

Deal found 12/21

$317

Mon 1/264:25 pmDSM - IAD

1 stop5h 47mAmerican Airlines

Tue 1/275:46 pmIAD - DSM

1 stop6h 22mAmerican Airlines

Deal found 12/22

$329

Wed 1/216:10 amDSM - DCA

1 stop4h 05mSouthwest

Fri 1/232:55 pmDCA - DSM

1 stop7h 15mSouthwest

Deal found 12/21

$369

Thu 1/295:16 pmDSM - BWI

1 stop6h 25mDelta

Mon 2/23:00 pmBWI - DSM

1 stop7h 24mDelta

Deal found 12/22

$317

Wed 2/411:26 amDSM - IAD

1 stop5h 55mDelta

Wed 2/115:26 pmIAD - DSM

1 stop4h 23mDelta

Deal found 12/21

$317

Thu 2/56:00 amDSM - DCA

Nonstop2h 30mAmerican Airlines

Thu 2/1211:00 amDCA - DSM

Nonstop3h 09mAmerican Airlines

Deal found 12/22

$360

Wed 1/146:24 amDSM - IAD

1 stop4h 25mDelta

Wed 1/216:00 amIAD - DSM

1 stop4h 41mDelta

Deal found 12/21

$317

Tue 3/36:26 amDSM - DCA

1 stop5h 18mAmerican Airlines

Sun 3/87:42 amDCA - DSM

1 stop6h 28mAmerican Airlines

Deal found 12/21

$369

Tue 2/312:06 pmDSM - DCA

1 stop3h 58mDelta

Sat 2/288:00 amDCA - DSM

1 stop5h 14mDelta

Deal found 12/21

$329

Tue 3/37:00 amDSM - IAD

1 stop6h 43mAmerican Airlines

Sun 3/89:18 amIAD - DSM

1 stop4h 59mAmerican Airlines

Deal found 12/22

$369

Wed 2/410:30 amDSM - DCA

1 stop6h 34mDelta

Sat 2/287:00 amDCA - DSM

1 stop5h 43mDelta

Deal found 12/21

$329

Mon 1/264:21 pmDSM - DCA

1 stop4h 39mDelta

Tue 1/271:45 pmDCA - DSM

1 stop6h 49mDelta

Deal found 12/22

$329

Wed 2/46:54 amDSM - IAD

1 stop5h 41mDelta

Sat 2/286:00 amIAD - DSM

1 stop5h 09mDelta

Deal found 12/21

$329

Tue 2/34:22 pmDSM - IAD

1 stop6h 35mDelta

Sat 2/286:00 amIAD - DSM

1 stop5h 09mDelta

Deal found 12/21

$329

Thu 1/2910:21 amDSM - IAD

1 stop5h 25mDelta

Mon 2/212:32 pmIAD - DSM

1 stop5h 36mDelta

Deal found 12/22

$341

Thu 2/56:24 amDSM - IAD

1 stop4h 28mDelta

Sat 2/287:15 amIAD - DSM

1 stop5h 59mDelta

Deal found 12/21

$341

Thu 2/510:21 amDSM - BWI

1 stop5h 17mDelta

Thu 2/126:05 amBWI - DSM

1 stop5h 12mDelta

Deal found 12/21

$352

Last-minute flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.
Discover last-minute flight deals from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.. Data last updated December 23, 2025 and is based on user searches.

Mon 1/58:29 pmDSM - DCA

1 stop15h 33mFrontier

Fri 1/98:01 amDCA - DSM

1 stop12h 21mFrontier

Deal found 12/22

$298

Mon 1/128:17 pmDSM - DCA

1 stop15h 45mMultiple Airlines

Fri 1/162:00 pmDCA - DSM

2 stops27h 50mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 12/22

$333

Mon 1/124:25 pmDSM - BWI

1 stop5h 56mAmerican Airlines

Fri 1/166:00 amBWI - DSM

1 stop6h 12mAmerican Airlines

Deal found 12/22

$337

Wed 1/146:24 amDSM - IAD

1 stop4h 25mDelta

Wed 1/216:00 amIAD - DSM

1 stop4h 41mDelta

Deal found 12/21

$317

Sat 1/176:00 amDSM - DCA

Nonstop2h 30mAmerican Airlines

Sat 1/178:10 pmDCA - DSM

Nonstop3h 01mAmerican Airlines

Deal found 12/21

$321

Wed 1/211:16 pmDSM - DCA

Nonstop2h 28mAmerican Airlines

Wed 1/288:10 pmDCA - DSM

Nonstop3h 01mAmerican Airlines

Deal found 12/22

$297

Wed 1/216:10 amDSM - DCA

1 stop4h 05mSouthwest

Wed 1/282:55 pmDCA - DSM

1 stop7h 15mSouthwest

Deal found 12/22

$317

Wed 1/218:00 amDSM - BWI

1 stop5h 11mUnited Airlines

Fri 1/235:18 pmBWI - DSM

1 stop5h 32mUnited Airlines

Deal found 12/21

$317

Mon 1/261:16 pmDSM - DCA

Nonstop2h 28mAmerican Airlines

Tue 1/278:10 pmDCA - DSM

Nonstop3h 01mAmerican Airlines

Deal found 12/22

$309

Mon 1/264:21 pmDSM - DCA

1 stop4h 39mDelta

Tue 1/271:45 pmDCA - DSM

1 stop6h 49mDelta

Deal found 12/22

$329

Mon 1/264:25 pmDSM - IAD

1 stop5h 47mAmerican Airlines

Tue 1/275:46 pmIAD - DSM

1 stop6h 22mAmerican Airlines

Deal found 12/22

$329

Thu 1/2910:21 amDSM - IAD

1 stop5h 25mDelta

Mon 2/212:32 pmIAD - DSM

1 stop5h 36mDelta

Deal found 12/22

$341

One-way flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.
Search for one-way flight options from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.. Find affordable one-way fares based on user searches. Data last updated December 23, 2025.

Fri 2/207:17 pmDSM - DCA

1 stop16h 43mFrontier

Deal found 12/21

$71

Sun 2/227:45 pmDSM - DCA

1 stop16h 15mFrontier

Deal found 12/21

$86

Mon 2/237:17 pmDSM - DCA

1 stop16h 58mFrontier

Deal found 12/21

$93

Mon 1/58:00 amDSM - BWI

2 stops39h 29mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 12/21

$125

Thu 1/11:15 pmDSM - BWI

1 stop7h 48mDelta

Deal found 12/22

$135

Sun 1/112:58 pmDSM - IAD

2 stops43h 45mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 12/22

$136

Sat 2/215:10 amDSM - DCA

1 stop5h 30mSouthwest

Deal found 12/21

$142

Sun 1/117:15 amDSM - IAD

1 stop9h 32mAllegiant Air

Deal found 12/22

$143

Fri 1/2311:09 amDSM - DCA

2 stops24h 53mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 12/21

$147

Tue 1/206:00 amDSM - DCA

Nonstop2h 30mAmerican Airlines

Deal found 12/21

$149

Mon 1/58:00 amDSM - IAD

2 stops50h 28mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 12/21

$149

Mon 1/58:29 pmDSM - DCA

1 stop15h 33mFrontier

Deal found 12/21

$150

Find flight deals from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

Most accurate provider	eDreams 3 stars
Most trusted provider	eDreams 3 stars
Round-trip from	$231 (Kiwi.com)
One-way from	$71 (Kiwi.com)
Popular in	November
Cheapest in	May
Average price	$377
Good round-trip deal	$331 or less
Good one-way deal	$158 or less

Provider with most accurate pricing for Des Moines-Washington, D.C. (WAS) flight deals.

Search Deals

Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for Des Moines-Washington, D.C. (WAS) flights.

Search Deals

From Des Moines to Washington, D.C. (WAS)

Search Deals

One-way flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. (WAS)

Search Deals

Highest demand for flights based on searches. 2% potential increase in price ($11 potential increase over avg. RT price).

Search Deals

Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($11 potential savings vs. average RT price).

Search Deals

Average for round-trip flights in December 2025

Search Deals

Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. (WAS).

Search Deals

Price to beat on a one-way flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. (WAS).

Search Deals

Cheapflights Fare Finder

Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. that are best for you.

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Des MoinesWashington, D.C.

DSM - DCA

DSMDCA

Des Moines

Wed 2/4

1:16 pm-4:44 pm

Nonstop2h 28m

Washington, D.C. Reagan-National

Sat 2/7

10:43 am-12:46 pm

Nonstop3h 03m

$309

Des MoinesWashington, D.C.

DSM - IAD

DSMIAD

Des Moines

Wed 2/4

4:25 pm-11:12 pm

1 stop5h 47m

Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl

Wed 2/11

5:46 pm-11:08 pm

1 stop6h 22m

$316

Des MoinesBaltimore

DSM - BWI

DSMBWI

Des Moines

Wed 2/4

3:35 pm-9:21 pm

1 stop4h 46m

Baltimore/Washington

Sat 2/7

10:05 am-2:33 pm

1 stop5h 28m

$317

Des MoinesBaltimore

DSM - BWI

DSMBWI

Des Moines

Wed 2/4

11:26 am-5:46 pm

1 stop5h 20m

Baltimore/Washington

Wed 2/11

6:00 am-10:41 am

1 stop5h 41m

$317

Des MoinesBaltimore

DSM - BWI

DSMBWI

Des Moines

Sat 2/7

6:24 am-1:46 pm

1 stop6h 22m

Baltimore/Washington

Sat 2/28

7:15 am-12:14 pm

1 stop5h 59m

$317

Des MoinesBaltimore

DSM - BWI

DSMBWI

Des Moines

Wed 2/4

4:25 pm-11:21 pm

1 stop5h 56m

Baltimore/Washington

Sat 2/7

12:50 pm-4:24 pm

1 stop4h 34m

$317

Des MoinesBaltimore

DSM - BWI

DSMBWI

Des Moines

Wed 3/4

5:15 pm-12:35 am

1 stop6h 20m

Baltimore/Washington

Sun 3/8

5:40 am-9:46 am

1 stop5h 06m

$317

Des MoinesBaltimore

DSM - BWI

DSMBWI

Des Moines

Tue 3/3

6:50 am-1:54 pm

1 stop6h 04m

Baltimore/Washington

Sun 3/8

5:40 am-9:46 am

1 stop5h 06m

$317

Des MoinesBaltimore

DSM - BWI

DSMBWI

Des Moines

Thu 3/5

2:02 pm-10:02 pm

1 stop7h 00m

Baltimore/Washington

Sat 3/7

6:30 am-1:17 pm

1 stop7h 47m

$317

Des MoinesBaltimore

DSM - BWI

DSMBWI

Des Moines

Wed 2/4

5:16 pm-12:41 am

1 stop6h 25m

Baltimore/Washington

Sat 2/28

6:00 am-12:14 pm

1 stop7h 14m

$317

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 12/21

Showing 1-10 of 59 results

...

Compare providers for flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

Use the table below to compare price accuracy, trust ratings, and cancellation policies for each provider offering flight deals from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. in December.

Provider	Price Accuracy	Trust Score*
Expedia	Price Accuracy2 stars	Trust Score*3 stars
eDreams	Price Accuracy3 stars	Trust Score*3 stars
FlightHub	Price Accuracy3 stars	Trust Score*1 star

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

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C.

How far ahead should I book a flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C., you should look to book at least 90 days in advance of your intended travel date. The price of your flight may increase if you delay and leave booking until a week or so before departure.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

Currently, November is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. (average of $181). Flying from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. in February is currently the most expensive (average of $326). 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 WAS?

One of the essential ways to save on airfare from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. is to remain as flexible as possible. Flights that are in the afternoon tend to be the most expensive. A flight in the evening could potentially save you up to 57% on airfare.

How often are flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. delayed?

About 26% of weekly flights between Des Moines and Washington, D.C. have experienced delays in the past year, with the average delay time being 93 minutes.

What is the most punctual flight time for Des Moines to Washington, D.C. flights?

Historically, flights departing at night are less likely to be delayed, whereas flights leaving in the evening tend to experience delays more often.

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Monday tends to have the lowest number of delays on this route, whereas Friday has historically faced a higher average of delays compared to other days of the week.

Which airline has the best punctuality record on Des Moines to Washington, D.C. flights?

Over the last year, TezJet have had the lowest number of delays on this route, with just 100% of flights being delayed.

Reviews of airlines servicing Washington, D.C.

Peruse reviews from past customers who have flown with Southwest, Delta, and United Airlines from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. to help guide your decision. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Southwest

8.0

Very good

4,253 reviews

Reviews

1 / 20

2.0

Mediocre

Thomas,Dec 2025

SEA - DEN

Plane two hours late in leaving 1:00 pm west coat time got home next day at 2:45am most car rental places are closed and don’t open till 5am

Southwest

8.0

Very good

4,253 reviews

Southwest

8.0

Very good

4,253 reviews

Reviews

1 / 20

2.0

Mediocre

Thomas,Dec 2025

SEA - DEN

Plane two hours late in leaving 1:00 pm west coat time got home next day at 2:45am most car rental places are closed and don’t open till 5am

Delta

7.9

Good

8,014 reviews

Southwest

8.0

Very good

4,253 reviews

Reviews

1 / 20

2.0

Mediocre

Thomas,Dec 2025

SEA - DEN

Plane two hours late in leaving 1:00 pm west coat time got home next day at 2:45am most car rental places are closed and don’t open till 5am

United Airlines

7.4

Good

9,105 reviews

Southwest

8.0

Very good

4,253 reviews

Reviews

1 / 20

2.0

Mediocre

Thomas,Dec 2025

SEA - DEN

Plane two hours late in leaving 1:00 pm west coat time got home next day at 2:45am most car rental places are closed and don’t open till 5am

American Airlines

7.2

Good

11,054 reviews

Southwest

8.0

Very good

4,253 reviews

Reviews

1 / 20

2.0

Mediocre

Thomas,Dec 2025

SEA - DEN

Plane two hours late in leaving 1:00 pm west coat time got home next day at 2:45am most car rental places are closed and don’t open till 5am

Related info for your journey

What airport do you fly from for flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?
Des Moines (DSM), located 3.6 mi from the city center, is the airport you fly out of when you book flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.. 4 airlines have flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. on a regular basis. Booking flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. should not be difficult; the airport handles an average of 0 outbound flights to Washington, D.C. per day.
How long is the flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?
A quick flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. can take about 2h 28m. American Airlines provides one of the quickest options available for as low as $309. The distance between Des Moines and Washington, D.C. is about 895 mi. Both multi-stop and nonstop flights can be found to your destination and back.
What are the cheapest airlines flying from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. round-trip?
Flying on United Airlines is currently your cheapest option to Washington, D.C., with prices starting at $166. Additional round-trip tickets that might be worth considering are offered by Delta and Southwest, with the lowest prices starting at $174 and $180, respectively. These flights start at 60% lower than the current average price 3 months from now.
What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. one-way?
The cheapest airlines for a one-way flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. are Delta ($114), American Airlines ($126), and Southwest ($144).
What are the most popular routes from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?
While some choose either Des Moines - Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl or Des Moines - Baltimore/Washington, Des Moines - Washington, D.C. Reagan-National is the most popular route from Des Moines to Washington, D.C..
Can I find deals for flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. that include hotel bookings?
Yes. In addition to deals on Des Moines to Washington, D.C. flights, Cheapflights offers vacation packages that include both flights and hotel.
How can I find direct flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?
After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C..
Can I find deals for business class flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?
Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C.?
Currently, November is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. (average of $181). Flying from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. in February is currently the most expensive (average of $326). 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.

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Top 4 airlines flying from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

Airline	Cheapest	Average	Flexibility	On-time
Delta	Cheapest$174	Average$386	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-timeN/A
Southwest	Cheapest$180	Average$385	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time63%
United Airlines	Cheapest$262	Average$447	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time69%
American Airlines	Cheapest$270	Average$415	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time71%

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$71+ Cheap flights from Des Moines (DSM) to Washington, D.C. (WAS)

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 2/20. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.

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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. are usually found in May or August, booked 90 days in advance, depart on a Wednesday or Saturday and return on a Wednesday

Cheap flight deals from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

Cheapest flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.Explore the most affordable flight options available from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on December 23, 2025.

Explore the most affordable flight options available from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on December 23, 2025.

Find flight deals from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

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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 Washington, D.C. in December.

Best time to book a flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Washington, D.C. from Des Moines with our price prediction graph.

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Everything you need to know about your flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

How far ahead should I book a flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.. Price data was last updated on December 19, 2025.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from DSM to WAS?

Find hourly flight availability from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated December 23, 2025.

How often are flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. delayed?

What is the most punctual flight time for Des Moines to Washington, D.C. flights?

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Which airline has the best punctuality record on Des Moines to Washington, D.C. flights?

Reviews of airlines servicing Washington, D.C.

Peruse reviews from past customers who have flown with Southwest, Delta, and United Airlines from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. to help guide your decision. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.. 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 Washington, D.C.?

How long is the flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

What are the cheapest airlines flying from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. round-trip?

What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. one-way?

What are the most popular routes from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

Can I find deals for flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. that include hotel bookings?

How can I find direct flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

Can I find deals for business class flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

Traveling to a place near Washington, D.C.?

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Alternative routes for Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

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Top 4 airlines flying from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

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Cheapest flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on December 23, 2025.