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$57+ Cheap flights from California to Des Moines (DSM)

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 2/21. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
LAX — DSM
Jan 26 — Feb 21
Sun 1/26
Sun 2/2
1 adult, Economy
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Cheap flight deals from California to Des Moines

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from California (USCA) to Des Moines (DSM). 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 January 21, 2025.

Round-trip from

$121
(Cheapflightsfares)

One-way from

$57
(Trip.com)

Good round-trip deal

$101 or less

Good one-way deal

$167 or less
From California to Des Moines
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One-way flight from California to Des Moines
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Price to beat on a round-trip flight from California to Des Moines.
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Price to beat on a one-way flight from California to Des Moines.
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Find flight deals from California to Des Moines

Cheapest flights from California to Des Moines
Explore the most affordable flight options available from California to Des Moines. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on January 21, 2025.

This Cheapflightsfares deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/21. 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.
Thu 4/39:05 amSNA - DSM
Nonstop3h 22mAllegiant Air
Sun 4/66:33 amDSM - SNA
Nonstop3h 42mAllegiant Air
Deal found 1/21$121
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/20. 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 Frontier is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 5/126:00 amSFO - DSM
1 stop10h 30mFrontier
Wed 5/147:20 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop7h 11mFrontier
Deal found 1/20$130
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/20. 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 Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 4/114:49 pmLAS - DSM
Nonstop2h 58mAllegiant Air
Mon 4/142:50 pmDSM - LAS
Nonstop3h 09mAllegiant Air
Deal found 1/20$132
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/20. 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 Frontier is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 4/116:00 amLAS - DSM
1 stop11h 17mFrontier
Mon 4/148:17 pmDSM - LAS
1 stop5h 32mFrontier
Deal found 1/20$140
This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/21. 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 3/106:30 amLAX - DSM
1 stop10h 47mFrontier
Tue 3/187:48 pmDSM - LAX
1 stop25h 30mFrontier
Deal found 1/21$140
This Booking.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/20. 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 Booking.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 4/1012:59 amLAS - DSM
1 stop16h 18mMultiple Airlines
Mon 4/142:50 pmDSM - LAS
Nonstop3h 09mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 1/20$153
This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/20. 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 CheapOair is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 2/204:06 pmSAN - DSM
1 stop25h 35mFrontier
Mon 2/248:41 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop17h 07mFrontier
Deal found 1/20$164
This FlightHub deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/19. 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 FlightHub is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 4/1012:59 amONT - DSM
1 stop16h 18mFrontier
Fri 4/188:17 pmDSM - ONT
1 stop5h 42mFrontier
Deal found 1/19$164
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/19. 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 Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 1/316:45 amSNA - DSM
1 stop13h 17mMultiple Airlines
Sun 2/26:30 amDSM - SNA
Nonstop3h 55mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 1/19$203
This FlightHub deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/21. 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 FlightHub is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 4/412:25 pmSNA - DSM
1 stop4h 52mFrontier
Mon 4/78:17 pmDSM - SNA
1 stop17h 18mFrontier
Deal found 1/21$219
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/21. 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.
Sun 3/23:34 pmSMF - DSM
1 stop26h 07mFrontier
Mon 3/108:17 pmDSM - SMF
1 stop18h 10mFrontier
Deal found 1/21$253
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/20. 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 Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 1/271:31 pmSAN - DSM
1 stop6h 31mMultiple Airlines
Mon 2/32:41 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop9h 37mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 1/20$258

Find flights from California to Des Moines within your budget

Customize your flight search to find flights from California to Des Moines 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 January 21, 2025.

Fly from

Any airport

Fly to

Any airport

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Santa AnaDes Moines

SNA - DSM

SNADSM

Santa Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty

Thu 4/3

9:05 am-2:27 pm

Nonstop3h 22m

Des Moines

Sun 4/6

6:33 am-8:15 am

Nonstop3h 42m

$121

San FranciscoDes Moines

SFO - DSM

SFODSM

San Francisco

Mon 5/12

6:00 am-6:30 pm

1 stop10h 30m

Des Moines

Wed 5/14

7:20 pm-12:31 am

1 stop7h 11m

$130

Las VegasDes Moines

LAS - DSM

LASDSM

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Fri 4/11

4:49 pm-9:47 pm

Nonstop2h 58m

Des Moines

Mon 4/14

2:50 pm-3:59 pm

Nonstop3h 09m

$132

Las VegasDes Moines

LAS - DSM

LASDSM

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Fri 4/11

6:00 am-7:17 pm

1 stop11h 17m

Des Moines

Mon 4/14

8:17 pm-11:49 pm

1 stop5h 32m

$140

Los AngelesDes Moines

LAX - DSM

LAXDSM

Los Angeles

Mon 3/10

6:30 am-7:17 pm

1 stop10h 47m

Des Moines

Tue 3/18

7:48 pm-7:18 pm

1 stop25h 30m

$140

Las VegasDes Moines

LAS - DSM

LASDSM

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Thu 4/10

12:59 am-7:17 pm

1 stop16h 18m

Des Moines

Mon 4/14

2:50 pm-3:59 pm

Nonstop3h 09m

$153

OntarioDes Moines

ONT - DSM

ONTDSM

Ontario

Thu 4/10

12:59 am-7:17 pm

1 stop16h 18m

Des Moines

Fri 4/18

8:17 pm-11:59 pm

1 stop5h 42m

$164

Santa AnaDes Moines

SNA - DSM

SNADSM

Santa Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty

Fri 1/31

6:45 am-10:02 pm

1 stop13h 17m

Des Moines

Sun 2/2

6:30 am-8:25 am

Nonstop3h 55m

$203

San DiegoDes Moines

SAN - DSM

SANDSM

San Diego

Fri 3/7

6:25 am-7:17 pm

1 stop10h 52m

Des Moines

Mon 3/10

8:17 pm-12:20 am

1 stop6h 03m

$214

Santa AnaDes Moines

SNA - DSM

SNADSM

Santa Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty

Fri 4/4

12:25 pm-7:17 pm

1 stop4h 52m

Des Moines

Mon 4/7

8:17 pm-11:35 am

1 stop17h 18m

$219

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 1/21

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

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Des Moines from California 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 California to Des Moines

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

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

Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from California to Des Moines (average of $336). Flying from California to Des Moines in June is currently the most expensive (average of $422). 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 CA to DSM?

Find hourly flight availability from California to Des Moines. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated January 21, 2025.

When flying from California to Des Moines, the time of day you decide to fly out makes little to no difference towards the overall price you’ll pay on tickets.

Rainfall in Des Moines by month

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

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Des Moines ranges from 1.0 - 4.9 inches per month. June is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 4.9 in. January is typically the driest time to visit Des Moines when rainfall is around 1.0 in.

Temperature in Des Moines by month

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

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Des Moines, 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 77.0 F. Travelers looking to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 23.0 F).

Reviews of airlines servicing Des Moines

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Des Moines. 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 Des Moines. Reviews last updated January 21, 2025.
Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Delta, Alaska Airlines and Allegiant Air from California to Des Moines by reading reviews from past customers. In addition to providing an overall rating, users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,662 reviews

Overall

8.1

Comfort

8.1

Boarding

8.2

Food

7.2

Crew

8.7

Entertainment

7.7

Reviews

1 / 10

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
4,662 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,662 reviews

Overall

8.1

Comfort

8.1

Boarding

8.2

Food

7.2

Crew

8.7

Entertainment

7.7

Reviews

1 / 10

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
9,706 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,662 reviews

Overall

8.1

Comfort

8.1

Boarding

8.2

Food

7.2

Crew

8.7

Entertainment

7.7

Reviews

1 / 10

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
8,521 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,662 reviews

Overall

8.1

Comfort

8.1

Boarding

8.2

Food

7.2

Crew

8.7

Entertainment

7.7

Reviews

1 / 10

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
8,984 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,662 reviews

Overall

8.1

Comfort

8.1

Boarding

8.2

Food

7.2

Crew

8.7

Entertainment

7.7

Reviews

1 / 10

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
7.4
Good
801 reviews
Southwest
8.1
Very good
4,662 reviews

Overall

8.1

Comfort

8.1

Boarding

8.2

Food

7.2

Crew

8.7

Entertainment

7.7

Reviews

1 / 10

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 California to Des Moines. 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 into for flights to Des Moines from California?

    Des Moines (DSM) is the airport you will fly into if you book a flight from California to Des Moines. It is only a 3.6 mi journey from Des Moines (DSM) to Des Moines’s city center.

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

    Flights from California to Des Moines have been viewed 2 times in the past calendar month.

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

    One-way options have recently been found by users for as low as $57 on Frontier. Other airlines that offer cheap prices include Allegiant Air from $64 and Delta from $155 one-way.

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

    The most popular route from California to Des Moines is Los Angeles - Des Moines. You may also consider San Francisco - Des Moines or Ontario - Des Moines.

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

    Looking at all options, your cheapest flight can be booked for $200. While the most popular route (Los Angeles - Des Moines) can be booked for $248 on average our data indicates $228 when flying from California to Des Moines.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from California to Des Moines (average of $336). Flying from California to Des Moines in June is currently the most expensive (average of $422). 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 California?

Book flights to California if you plan to visit one of these locations
Ames
Altoona
Johnston
Boone
West Des Moines

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

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Alternative routes for California to Des Moines

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
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Ontario to Omaha flights

Top 6 airlines flying from California to Des Moines

Discover the top 6 airlines that operate flights from California to Des Moines. 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 January 21, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Allegiant AirCheapest$94Average$213FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time88%
FrontierCheapest$108Average$235FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
DeltaCheapest$277Average$439FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
American AirlinesCheapest$287Average$452FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$294Average$575FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
SouthwestCheapest$306Average$457FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
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