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Washington, D.C.

$72+ 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 12/5. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DSM — WAS
Dec 6 — Dec 131
Sat 12/6
Sat 12/13
1 adult, Economy
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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. are usually found in May or December, booked 90 days in advance, depart on a Tuesday or Wednesday and return on a Wednesday

Find 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 November 6, 2025.

This Booking.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/4. 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 Booking.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 12/57:58 pmDSM - DCA
1 stop16h 08mFrontier
Mon 12/88:00 amDCA - DSM
1 stop12h 03mFrontier
Deal found 11/4$135
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/4. 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 Frontier is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 11/262:00 pmDSM - DCA
1 stop6h 59mFrontier
Mon 12/88:00 amDCA - DSM
1 stop12h 03mFrontier
Deal found 11/4$196
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/5. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 11/209:19 amDSM - BWI
1 stop8h 47mMultiple Airlines
Mon 11/248:56 amBWI - DSM
1 stop13h 45mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/5$218
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/5. 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 Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 11/217:46 pmDSM - DCA
1 stop16h 17mFrontier
Sun 11/238:00 amDCA - DSM
1 stop12h 24mFrontier
Deal found 11/5$223
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/3. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 12/143:44 pmDSM - IAD
1 stop15h 57mMultiple Airlines
Tue 12/169:00 amIAD - DSM
2 stops26h 25mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/3$223
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/6. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 12/57:58 pmDSM - DCA
1 stop25h 01mMultiple Airlines
Tue 12/92:00 pmDCA - DSM
2 stops23h 35mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/6$227
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/6. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 12/59:00 amDSM - IAD
1 stop10h 24mMultiple Airlines
Tue 12/99:00 amIAD - DSM
2 stops28h 35mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/6$227
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/6. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 12/59:00 amDSM - BWI
1 stop14h 23mMultiple Airlines
Tue 12/96:30 amBWI - DSM
2 stops31h 05mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/6$234
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/5. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 11/209:19 amDSM - BWI
1 stop8h 47mMultiple Airlines
Fri 11/217:30 amBWI - DSM
1 stop10h 10mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/5$240
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/5. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 11/209:19 amDSM - BWI
1 stop8h 47mMultiple Airlines
Sat 11/225:40 amBWI - DSM
2 stops17h 08mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/5$246
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/6. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 12/144:21 pmDSM - BWI
2 stops24h 35mMultiple Airlines
Wed 12/177:06 pmBWI - DSM
1 stop28h 30mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 11/6$247
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 11/5. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 12/57:58 pmDSM - DCA
1 stop16h 08mFrontier
Sun 12/146:00 pmDCA - DSM
1 stop26h 03mFrontier
Deal found 11/5$249

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

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Des Moines (DSM) to Washington, D.C. (WAS). 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 November 6, 2025.

Most accurate provider

eDreams
3 stars

Most trusted provider

eDreams
3 stars

Round-trip from

$174
(Kiwi.com)

One-way from

$72
(Trip.com)

Popular in

January

Cheapest in

May

Average price

$359

Good round-trip deal

$347 or less

Good one-way deal

$220 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
High demand for flights, 0% potential price rise
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($7 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in November 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

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. 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 November 6, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. that are best for you.

Fly from

Des Moines

Fly to

Washington, D.C.

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Des MoinesBaltimore

DSM - BWI

DSMBWI

Des Moines

Thu 11/20

9:19 am-7:06 pm

1 stop8h 47m

Baltimore/Washington

Fri 11/21

7:30 am-4:40 pm

1 stop10h 10m

$240

Des MoinesBaltimore

DSM - BWI

DSMBWI

Des Moines

Fri 12/5

8:00 am-9:22 am

2 stops24h 22m

Baltimore/Washington

Sun 12/14

8:00 pm-2:58 pm

2 stops19h 58m

$265

Des MoinesBaltimore

DSM - BWI

DSMBWI

Des Moines

Sat 11/22

5:28 pm-3:20 pm

1 stop20h 52m

Baltimore/Washington

Mon 11/24

8:56 am-9:41 pm

1 stop13h 45m

$273

Des MoinesBaltimore

DSM - BWI

DSMBWI

Des Moines

Mon 11/17

8:40 am-6:29 pm

2 stops32h 49m

Baltimore/Washington

Thu 11/20

8:45 pm-4:40 pm

1 stop20h 55m

$276

Des MoinesBaltimore

DSM - BWI

DSMBWI

Des Moines

Thu 11/20

9:19 am-7:06 pm

1 stop8h 47m

Baltimore/Washington

Sun 11/23

6:29 pm-12:55 pm

2 stops19h 26m

$287

Des MoinesBaltimore

DSM - BWI

DSMBWI

Des Moines

Mon 11/24

5:35 am-11:11 am

1 stop4h 36m

Baltimore/Washington

Thu 11/27

6:00 am-12:15 pm

1 stop7h 15m

$313

Des MoinesBaltimore

DSM - BWI

DSMBWI

Des Moines

Tue 3/10

10:15 am-4:48 pm

1 stop5h 33m

Baltimore/Washington

Wed 3/11

6:00 am-9:30 am

1 stop4h 30m

$317

Des MoinesBaltimore

DSM - BWI

DSMBWI

Des Moines

Sat 12/6

9:00 am-9:08 pm

2 stops11h 08m

Baltimore/Washington

Tue 12/9

10:20 am-8:48 pm

2 stops11h 28m

$327

Des MoinesBaltimore

DSM - BWI

DSMBWI

Des Moines

Tue 12/2

11:01 am-6:11 pm

1 stop6h 10m

Baltimore/Washington

Thu 12/4

6:00 am-9:40 am

1 stop4h 40m

$331

Des MoinesBaltimore

DSM - BWI

DSMBWI

Des Moines

Wed 11/19

5:21 pm-3:20 pm

1 stop20h 59m

Baltimore/Washington

Thu 11/27

6:38 pm-11:44 am

2 stops18h 06m

$342

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 11/5

Showing 1-10 of 55 results
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Compare providers for flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.

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 November.
ProviderPrice AccuracyTrust Score*
ExpediaPrice Accuracy2 starsTrust Score*3 stars
eDreamsPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*3 stars
FlightHubPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust 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.?

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 October 31, 2025.

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, March is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. (average of $184). 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?

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 November 6, 2025.

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 55% on airfare.

How much does it cost to fly round-trip from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

What’s the top layover airport for flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

Share of 1-stop round-trip flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. chosen by Cheapflights users in the past 12 months, using the same layover each way.

St. Louis (STL) – chosen by Cheapflights users on 75% of 1-stop itineraries from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. on Cheapflights.

What’s the cheapest layover airport for flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

Average round-trip fare for 1-stop flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C., chosen by Cheapflights users in the past 12 months, with the same layover each way.

Chicago (ORD) is the most affordable 1-stop option, with an average round-trip price of $387.

What’s the fastest layover option from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

Shortest average travel time for 1-stop one-way flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C., based on itineraries clicked by Cheapflights users over the past 12 months, grouped by layover airport.

Flights via Chicago (ORD) have the shortest average one-way travel time for 1-stop routes: 4h 29m.

Which airport typically offers the quickest layover for flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.?

Average layover duration for 1-stop one-way flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C., chosen by Cheapflights users in the last 12 months, grouped by stopover airport.

Flights via Chicago (ORD) offer the fastest connection on this route, with an average layover time of 1h 04m.

Reviews of airlines servicing Washington, D.C.

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Washington, D.C.. 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 Washington, D.C.. Reviews last updated November 6, 2025.
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
4,241 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Mike,Aug 2025

OKC - AUS

AC was not adequate, even on a night flight. WiFi subpar even for the airlines
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Mike,Aug 2025

OKC - AUS

AC was not adequate, even on a night flight. WiFi subpar even for the airlines
Delta
7.9
Good
8,001 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Mike,Aug 2025

OKC - AUS

AC was not adequate, even on a night flight. WiFi subpar even for the airlines
United Airlines
7.4
Good
9,007 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Mike,Aug 2025

OKC - AUS

AC was not adequate, even on a night flight. WiFi subpar even for the airlines
American Airlines
7.2
Good
11,040 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,241 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Mike,Aug 2025

OKC - AUS

AC was not adequate, even on a night flight. WiFi subpar even for the airlines

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.?

    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 1 outbound flight 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 4h 15m. Southwest provides one of the quickest options available for as low as $372. 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 Southwest is currently your cheapest option to Washington, D.C., with prices starting at $180. Additional round-trip tickets that might be worth considering are offered by Delta and United Airlines, with the lowest prices starting at $198 and $262, respectively. These flights start at 55% lower than the current average price 3 months from now.

  • 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, March is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. (average of $184). 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.

See more FAQs

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

Book flights to Washington, D.C. if you plan to visit one of these locations
Alexandria
Tysons
Woodbridge
Arlington
Owings Mills
Springfield
Hanover
Silver Spring
Fairfax
Fredericksburg
Falls Church
Linthicum Heights
Manassas
Laurel
Towson
National Harbor
Waldorf
Bowie
Largo
McLean

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

Discover the top 4 airlines that operate flights from Des Moines to Washington, D.C.. 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 November 6, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
SouthwestCheapest$180Average$398FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
DeltaCheapest$198Average$385FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
United AirlinesCheapest$262Average$438FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
American AirlinesCheapest$270Average$418FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%

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