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$50+ Cheap flights from Des Moines (DSM) to California

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 3/3. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DSM — LAX
Feb 11 — Feb 181
Tue 2/11
Tue 2/18
1 adult, Economy
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Cheap flight deals from Des Moines to California

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Des Moines (DSM) to California (USCA). 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 February 6, 2025.

Most accurate provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Most trusted provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Round-trip from

$108
(Mytrip)

One-way from

$50
(Frontier)

Popular in

March

Cheapest in

June

Average price

$451

Good round-trip deal

$148 or less

Good one-way deal

$72 or less
Provider with most accurate pricing for Des Moines-Los Angeles flight deals.
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Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for Des Moines-Los Angeles flights.
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From Des Moines to California
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One-way flight from Des Moines to California
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 13% potential increase in price ($63 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($8 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in February 2025
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Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Des Moines to California.
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Price to beat on a one-way flight from Des Moines to California.
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Find flight deals from Des Moines to California

Cheapest flights from Des Moines to California
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Des Moines to California. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on February 6, 2025.

This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/5. 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.
Wed 3/56:30 amDSM - LAS
Nonstop3h 29mAllegiant Air
Fri 3/145:15 pmLAS - DSM
Nonstop2h 52mAllegiant Air
Deal found 2/5$129
This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/6. 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 CheapOair is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 4/78:17 pmDSM - LAS
1 stop13h 48mFrontier
Thu 4/1012:59 amLAS - DSM
1 stop16h 18mFrontier
Deal found 2/6$130
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/6. 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 Frontier is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 4/307:27 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop6h 47mFrontier
Wed 5/76:25 amSAN - DSM
1 stop10h 05mFrontier
Deal found 2/6$130
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/5. 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 Frontier is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 3/108:17 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop6h 26mFrontier
Mon 3/176:00 amSFO - DSM
1 stop11h 17mFrontier
Deal found 2/5$130
This Cheapflightsfares deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/5. 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 Cheapflightsfares is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 2/233:28 pmDSM - SNA
Nonstop3h 59mAllegiant Air
Thu 2/276:11 pmSNA - DSM
Nonstop3h 15mAllegiant Air
Deal found 2/5$135
This Cheapflightsfares deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/6. 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 Cheapflightsfares is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 2/248:41 pmDSM - LAS
1 stop5h 13mMultiple Airlines
Fri 2/285:55 pmLAS - DSM
Nonstop2h 53mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 2/6$136
This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/5. 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 CheapOair is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 3/187:48 pmDSM - LAX
1 stop25h 30mFrontier
Wed 3/266:30 amLAX - DSM
1 stop10h 47mFrontier
Deal found 2/5$140
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/5. 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 2/288:41 pmDSM - ONT
1 stop5h 28mFrontier
Sun 3/212:59 amONT - DSM
1 stop16h 42mFrontier
Deal found 2/5$173
This eDestinos deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/5. 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 eDestinos is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 3/56:30 amDSM - SFO
1 stop17h 29mMultiple Airlines
Wed 3/126:40 amSFO - DSM
1 stop10h 37mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 2/5$191
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/4. 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 Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 3/56:30 amDSM - LAX
1 stop14h 29mMultiple Airlines
Wed 3/128:08 amLAX - DSM
2 stops22h 04mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 2/4$197
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/4. 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 Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 2/233:28 pmDSM - SNA
Nonstop3h 59mMultiple Airlines
Wed 2/262:46 pmSNA - DSM
2 stops19h 34mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 2/4$207
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/5. 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.
Wed 3/56:30 amDSM - BUR
1 stop14h 35mMultiple Airlines
Tue 3/117:58 pmBUR - DSM
1 stop15h 43mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 2/5$209

Find flights from Des Moines to California within your budget

Customize your flight search to find flights from Des Moines to California 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 February 6, 2025.

Fly from

Any airport

Fly to

Any airport

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Des MoinesSanta Ana

DSM - SNA

DSMSNA

Des Moines

Sun 3/2

3:24 pm-5:21 pm

Nonstop3h 57m

Santa Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty

Thu 3/13

9:22 am-2:40 pm

Nonstop3h 18m

$108

Des MoinesLas Vegas

DSM - LAS

DSMLAS

Des Moines

Sat 3/1

3:04 pm-4:25 pm

Nonstop3h 21m

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Fri 3/7

11:32 pm-6:57 pm

1 stop17h 25m

$120

Des MoinesLas Vegas

DSM - LAS

DSMLAS

Des Moines

Wed 3/5

6:30 am-7:59 am

Nonstop3h 29m

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Thu 3/13

5:49 pm-10:41 pm

Nonstop2h 52m

$129

Des MoinesLas Vegas

DSM - LAS

DSMLAS

Des Moines

Mon 4/7

8:17 pm-8:05 am

1 stop13h 48m

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Thu 4/10

12:59 am-7:17 pm

1 stop16h 18m

$130

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Wed 4/30

7:27 pm-12:14 am

1 stop6h 47m

San Diego

Wed 5/7

6:25 am-6:30 pm

1 stop10h 05m

$130

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Mon 3/10

8:17 pm-12:43 am

1 stop6h 26m

San Francisco

Mon 3/17

6:00 am-7:17 pm

1 stop11h 17m

$130

Des MoinesLos Angeles

DSM - LAX

DSMLAX

Des Moines

Tue 3/18

7:48 pm-7:18 pm

1 stop25h 30m

Los Angeles

Wed 3/26

6:30 am-7:17 pm

1 stop10h 47m

$140

Des MoinesOntario

DSM - ONT

DSMONT

Des Moines

Sun 3/23

8:35 pm-9:31 am

1 stop14h 56m

Ontario

Sat 3/29

12:59 am-7:45 pm

1 stop16h 46m

$164

Des MoinesSanta Ana

DSM - SNA

DSMSNA

Des Moines

Sun 3/2

3:24 pm-5:21 pm

Nonstop3h 57m

Santa Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty

Thu 3/13

6:45 am-10:41 pm

1 stop13h 56m

$165

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Wed 3/5

6:30 am-9:59 pm

1 stop17h 29m

San Francisco

Wed 3/12

6:40 am-7:17 pm

1 stop10h 37m

$191

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 2/5

Showing 1-10 of 60 results
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Best time to book a flight from Des Moines to California

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to California 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.

Travel insights for flights from Des Moines to California

Get recent, data-driven insights about flights from Des Moines to California including ideal travel times, pricing trends, and more.

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

Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to California (average of $246). Flying from Des Moines to California in March is currently the most expensive (average of $344). 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 CA?

Find hourly flight availability from Des Moines to California. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated February 6, 2025.

Regardless of the time of day you decide to fly, the ticket price will remain around the same. Book flights from Des Moines to California as you normally would.

Rainfall in California by month

Plan your trip to California by taking into account the average rainfall totals by month.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in California ranges from 0.0 - 3.4 inches per month. February is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 3.4 in. July is typically the driest time to visit California when rainfall is around 0.0 in.

Temperature in California by month

Plan your trip to California by taking into account the average temperature totals by month.

If weather is an important factor for your trip to California, 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 73.4 F. Travelers looking to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 57.2 F).

Reviews of airlines servicing California

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to California. 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 California. Reviews last updated February 6, 2025.
Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Southwest, Alaska Airlines and Delta from Des Moines to California by reading reviews from past customers. Users can see the overall rating for each airline as well as how each is rated in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,553 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.1

Comfort

8.1

Crew

8.7

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20

6.0
Good

Lauren,Dec 2024

MCI - DCA

We BARELY made the connection and when we got onboard we were treated like disobedient children who should have arrived earlier because we had to ask other passengers to move so we could sit with our kids. The flight attendants on the first flight were nice but the second one, they were snippy and fairly rude.

Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,553 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,553 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.1

Comfort

8.1

Crew

8.7

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20

6.0
Good

Lauren,Dec 2024

MCI - DCA

We BARELY made the connection and when we got onboard we were treated like disobedient children who should have arrived earlier because we had to ask other passengers to move so we could sit with our kids. The flight attendants on the first flight were nice but the second one, they were snippy and fairly rude.

Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
9,696 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,553 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.1

Comfort

8.1

Crew

8.7

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20

6.0
Good

Lauren,Dec 2024

MCI - DCA

We BARELY made the connection and when we got onboard we were treated like disobedient children who should have arrived earlier because we had to ask other passengers to move so we could sit with our kids. The flight attendants on the first flight were nice but the second one, they were snippy and fairly rude.

Delta
8.0
Very good
8,396 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,553 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.1

Comfort

8.1

Crew

8.7

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20

6.0
Good

Lauren,Dec 2024

MCI - DCA

We BARELY made the connection and when we got onboard we were treated like disobedient children who should have arrived earlier because we had to ask other passengers to move so we could sit with our kids. The flight attendants on the first flight were nice but the second one, they were snippy and fairly rude.

United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,882 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,553 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.1

Comfort

8.1

Crew

8.7

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20

6.0
Good

Lauren,Dec 2024

MCI - DCA

We BARELY made the connection and when we got onboard we were treated like disobedient children who should have arrived earlier because we had to ask other passengers to move so we could sit with our kids. The flight attendants on the first flight were nice but the second one, they were snippy and fairly rude.

Allegiant Air
7.3
Good
782 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,553 reviews

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.7

Food

7.1

Comfort

8.1

Crew

8.7

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20

6.0
Good

Lauren,Dec 2024

MCI - DCA

We BARELY made the connection and when we got onboard we were treated like disobedient children who should have arrived earlier because we had to ask other passengers to move so we could sit with our kids. The flight attendants on the first flight were nice but the second one, they were snippy and fairly rude.

Related info for your journey

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

    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 California.

  • How popular is this Des Moines to California flight route?

    Within the past month, 19 users have taken a look at flights from Des Moines to California.

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

    The cheapest airline one-way is Frontier, with whom users have recently found tickets for as low as $50. However, be on the lookout for offers from Allegiant Air and Southwest, as they are both options that can get you from Des Moines to California for a low price.

  • What are the most popular routes from Des Moines to California?

    The most popular route from Des Moines to California is Des Moines - Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl. You may also consider Des Moines - Los Angeles or Des Moines - San Francisco.

  • What are the cheapest flights from Des Moines to California?

    While on average a flight from Des Moines to California is generally $148, our data shows the cheapest flight currently is $78. When looking at the most popular route, (Des Moines - Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl), you can expect to pay $90 for that flight.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to California (average of $246). Flying from Des Moines to California in March is currently the most expensive (average of $344). 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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Alternative routes for Des Moines to California

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
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Des Moines to George Bush Intcntl flights
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Cedar Rapids to Las Vegas flights

Top 6 airlines flying from Des Moines to California

Discover the top 6 airlines that operate flights from Des Moines to California. 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 February 6, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
FrontierCheapest$112Average$226FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
Allegiant AirCheapest$118Average$215FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time88%
American AirlinesCheapest$250Average$430FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$276Average$485FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
DeltaCheapest$285Average$438FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
SouthwestCheapest$336Average$461FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
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