DSM - DTW

$149 Find Cheap Flights from Des Moines to Detroit - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$291
Typical prices: $399-$610
Multiple Airlines
Mon 2/5Sat 2/10
DSM - DTW • 2 stops
Cheapest non-stop
$439
Typical prices: $399-$604
Delta
Sun 3/4Thu 3/8
DSM - DTW • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with Delta. Average duration is 1h 51m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 89% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 22% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $302 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 3h 39m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Des Moines to Detroit (DSM-DTW)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Des Moines to Detroit

Fri, Feb 5 - Wed, Feb 10
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:30 am - 5:09 pmDSM  Des Moines-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
32h 39m2 stops Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl Dallas/Fort Worth
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:55 pm - 10:16 pmDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-DSM Des Moines
27h 21m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
$291Multiple Airlines
Fri, Feb 5 - Wed, Feb 10
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:37 pm - 12:43 amDSM  Des Moines-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
28h 06m1 stop Tampa St. Petersburg
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:55 pm - 10:16 pmDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-DSM Des Moines
27h 21m1 stop Fort Lauderdale
$312Multiple Airlines
Wed, Dec 16 - Wed, Jan 6
Southwest Logo
6:00 am - 10:30 amDSM  Des Moines-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
3h 30m1 stop Chicago Midway
Southwest Logo
6:30 pm - 9:30 pmDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-DSM Des Moines
4h 00m1 stop Chicago Midway
$377Southwest
Thu, Dec 3 - Thu, Dec 3
Southwest Logo
6:00 am - 10:30 amDSM  Des Moines-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
3h 30m1 stop Chicago Midway
Southwest Logo
7:35 pm - 10:05 pmDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-DSM Des Moines
3h 30m1 stop Chicago Midway
$377Southwest
Tue, Dec 22 - Fri, Dec 25
Southwest Logo
5:10 am - 9:55 amDSM  Des Moines-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
3h 45m1 stop Chicago Midway
Southwest Logo
7:35 pm - 10:05 pmDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-DSM Des Moines
3h 30m1 stop Chicago Midway
$377Southwest
Thu, Jan 7 - Sat, Jan 9
Southwest Logo
8:00 am - 1:25 pmDSM  Des Moines-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
4h 25m1 stop Nashville Intl
Southwest Logo
4:40 pm - 8:15 pmDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-DSM Des Moines
4h 35m1 stop Chicago Midway
$377Southwest
Fri, Nov 20 - Mon, Nov 23
Southwest Logo
5:25 am - 10:10 amDSM  Des Moines-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
3h 45m1 stop Chicago Midway
Southwest Logo
7:45 pm - 11:05 pmDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-DSM Des Moines
4h 20m1 stop Chicago Midway
$377Southwest
Thu, Dec 3 - Thu, Dec 3
Southwest Logo
6:00 am - 3:15 pmDSM  Des Moines-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
8h 15m2 stops Chicago Midway Baltimore/Washington
Southwest Logo
7:35 pm - 10:05 pmDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-DSM Des Moines
3h 30m1 stop Chicago Midway
$382Southwest
Fri, Mar 26 - Sat, Mar 27
Delta Logo
10:15 am - 1:04 pmDSM  Des Moines-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
1h 49mnonstop
Delta Logo
3:55 pm - 4:50 pmDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-DSM Des Moines
1h 55mnonstop
$439Delta
Mon, Mar 22 - Sat, Mar 27
Delta Logo
5:25 pm - 8:14 pmDSM  Des Moines-DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
1h 49mnonstop
Delta Logo
3:55 pm - 4:50 pmDTW  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County-DSM Des Moines
1h 55mnonstop
$439Delta
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Friday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. It’s 14% cheaper than the average day, while Sunday is the most expensive, with prices 36% higher.

What’s the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

•May is the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport at $399 round-trip.
•January ($639) and April ($599) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 60% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

Key details for Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$149
Beat the crowds with an average 66% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 83% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

When to book flights from Des Moines to Detroit

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Des Moines to Detroit based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport:

    • Earliest: departs at 6:00 am and lands at 7:51 am
    • Latest: departs at 6:11 pm and lands at 8:02 pm.

    The flight takes about 1h 51m.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

    Two cabin classes are available on flights from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport:

    • Economy Class
    • First Class

  • How long is a flight from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

    A nonstop flight from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport takes 1h 51m, covering 532 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

    No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport flight?

    Round-trip flights from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport range from $399 to $610, with an average of $509 over the past 12 months. Anything below $399 counts as a good deal.

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $302 round-trip via Denver Intl (DEN), compared to $509 for nonstop.

  • How does on-time performance compare across airlines flying from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

    Delta is the only airline operating Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport flights. 89% of its flights are on time.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $45–$90 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

    The Canadair (Bombardier) Regional Jet 900 family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Delta. Other aircraft seen on the route include Canadair (Bombardier) Regional Jet 700 variants.

  • How are flight departures from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport flights, with 67% of flights leaving in that window. Evening departures account for 33%, afternoon flights for 0%, and night flights for 0%.

  • Have flight prices from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $298 to $1,187. That means the highest observed fare was about 4x higher than the lowest one.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi on Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport flights?

    Delta is the only airline on the Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport route offering in-flight Wi-Fi. Pricing depends on fare class.

  • How are flight prices from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport looking right now?

    One-way fares from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $192, which is 45% below the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)?

    Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates averaging $75 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Hertz
    • Dollar
    • Budget
    • Thrifty
    • Alamo

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

    Flights from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport usually depart from Des Moines (DSM) and arrive at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW).

  • What time of day has the fewest delays on flights from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route, while afternoon departures tend to have the most.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport route, 11% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2h 23m.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport pass through?

    One-stop flights from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport most commonly connect through:

    • Chicago Midway (MDW) - 75% of one-stop connections
    • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) - 20% of one-stop connections
    • Denver Intl (DEN) - 5% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 38% on flights from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Friday is the cheapest departure day at $439 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $697, a difference of $258.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • What airlines fly from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

    Only Delta operates flights between Des Moines and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

    Flying via Chicago Midway (MDW) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 3h 39m, compared with 5h 11m via Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) and 8h 04m via Denver Intl (DEN).

  • What is the time difference between Des Moines and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

    Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is 1 hour ahead of Des Moines (Eastern Time vs Central Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport?

    Some of the most popular sights in Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport are Greektown Casino, Ford Field and Little Caesars Arena. These are among the most viewed places in Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport on KAYAK.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport flights?

    Among airlines operating Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport flights:

    • Delta: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Delta: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

Your guide to booking Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Friday departure and avoid flying on Sunday. On this route, Friday flights average $439, about $258 less than Sunday fares (37% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport trip for May. Fares historically average $399 round-trip in that month - typically $240 less than the most expensive month, which is January (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Denver Intl Airport (DEN) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $302 round-trip on this route - about $207 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.

    • The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport

Prefer to fly direct from Des Moines to Detroit?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Des Moines Airport to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Des Moines to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County

Monday

Delta

Delta

Tuesday

Delta

Delta

Wednesday

Delta

Delta

Thursday

Delta

Delta

Friday

Delta

Delta

Saturday

Delta

Delta

Sunday

Delta

Delta

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County to Des Moines

Monday

Delta

Delta

Tuesday

Delta

Delta

Wednesday

Delta

Delta

Thursday

Delta

Delta

Friday

Delta

Delta

Saturday

Delta

Delta

Sunday

Delta

Delta

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Des Moines to Detroit

Complete your trip to Detroit with a hotel stay or car rental