DSM - MSY

$124 Find Cheap Flights from Des Moines to New Orleans - Compare and Save

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Des Moines to New Orleans departing on 9/24. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$226
Typical prices: $287-$420
Frontier
Mon 9/7Mon 9/14
DSM - MSY • 1 stop
Cheapest one-way
$124
Frontier
Thu 9/24
DSM - MSY • 1 stop
Top airlines
Cheapest • from $226 (round-trip)
Best reviews • 8.0 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
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Airline reviews
Airline reviews
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Nonstop flights
Not available
There are currently no direct flights between Des Moines and New Orleans. You'll need at least 1 connection.
Insights
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Insights
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $349 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 4h 13m (one-way)
Insights
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When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 4 weeks in advance save around 40% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 14% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
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Good to know
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KAYAK searches 100s of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you love your trip to New Orleans!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Des Moines to New Orleans (DSM-MSY)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Des Moines to New Orleans that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Des Moines to New Orleans

Mon, Sep 7 - Mon, Sep 14
Frontier Logo
2:19 pm - 9:07 pm
DSM
-
MSY
6h 48m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
10:48 am - 7:33 pm
MSY
-
DSM
8h 45m
1 stop
$226Frontier
Mon, Sep 7 - Mon, Sep 14
Frontier Logo
2:19 pm - 9:07 pm
DSM
-
MSY
6h 48m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
10:48 am - 7:33 pm
MSY
-
DSM
8h 45m
1 stop
$246Frontier
Sat, Oct 17 - Wed, Oct 21
American Airlines Logo
4:12 pm - 11:29 pm
DSM
-
MSY
7h 17m
1 stop
American Airlines Logo
8:06 am - 3:11 pm
MSY
-
DSM
7h 05m
1 stop
$325American Airlines
Wed, Sep 2 - Sat, Sep 5
American Airlines Logo
6:55 am - 12:14 pm
DSM
-
MSY
5h 19m
1 stop
American Airlines Logo
6:00 pm - 11:16 pm
MSY
-
DSM
5h 16m
1 stop
$325American Airlines
Thu, Aug 27 - Thu, Sep 3
Southwest Logo
3:50 pm - 9:50 pm
DSM
-
MSY
6h 00m
1 stop
Southwest Logo
5:00 am - 11:25 am
MSY
-
DSM
6h 25m
1 stop
$325Southwest
Wed, Nov 11 - Mon, Nov 16
Southwest Logo
3:30 pm - 11:00 pm
DSM
-
MSY
7h 30m
1 stop
Southwest Logo
6:10 am - 11:30 am
MSY
-
DSM
5h 20m
1 stop
$325Southwest
Tue, Aug 18 - Sat, Aug 22
Delta Logo
11:28 am - 4:10 pm
DSM
-
MSY
4h 42m
1 stop
Delta Logo
5:12 am - 10:43 am
MSY
-
DSM
5h 31m
1 stop
$325Delta
Tue, Aug 18 - Sat, Aug 22
Delta Logo
11:28 am - 4:10 pm
DSM
-
MSY
4h 42m
1 stop
Delta Logo
5:12 am - 10:43 am
MSY
-
DSM
5h 31m
1 stop
$325Delta
Tue, Aug 18 - Sat, Aug 22
United Airlines Logo
3:02 pm - 9:57 pm
DSM
-
MSY
6h 55m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
5:05 am - 12:32 pm
MSY
-
DSM
7h 27m
2 stops
$330United Airlines
Thu, Aug 27 - Thu, Sep 3
United Airlines Logo
1:35 pm - 9:57 pm
DSM
-
MSY
8h 22m
2 stops
United Airlines Logo
7:00 am - 12:20 pm
MSY
-
DSM
5h 20m
1 stop
$330United Airlines
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Des Moines to New Orleans flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Des Moines to New Orleans to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

How much is a round-trip flight from Des Moines to New Orleans?

This analysis is based on the cheapest round-trip price found on KAYAK in the last 12 months by searching for a flight from Des Moines to New Orleans departing in September.

Flight prices are below average for this route right now.

Flights to New Orleans from Des Moines usually cost between $328 and $694 in September.
The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $226 on Frontier (Sep 7-Sep 14).

What is the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines to New Orleans?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Des Moines to New Orleans, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from Des Moines to New Orleans is September, where tickets cost $356 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are July and February, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $486 and $453 respectively.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Des Moines to New Orleans?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Des Moines to New Orleans, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price on the flight from Des Moines to New Orleans, you should book around 4 weeks before departure, which saves you about 40% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 24 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low season

July

Cheapest flight

$124
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 17% increase in price.
Flight from Des Moines to New Orleans

When to book flights from Des Moines to New Orleans

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Des Moines to New Orleans based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or round-trips with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking flights from Des Moines to New Orleans

  • What is the cheapest flight from Des Moines to New Orleans?

    In the last 5 days, the lowest price for a flight from Des Moines to New Orleans was $124 for a one-way ticket and $226 for a round-trip.

  • Do I need a passport to fly between Des Moines and New Orleans?

    A passport is not required to fly from Des Moines to New Orleans.

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from Des Moines to New Orleans?

    On your way to New Orleans, you’ll fly out from Des Moines. You’ll be landing at New Orleans Louis Armstrong.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Des Moines to New Orleans?

    We unfortunately don’t have that data for this specific route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Des Moines to New Orleans?

    SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and oneworld are the airline alliances operating flights between Des Moines and New Orleans, with SkyTeam being the most commonly used for this route.

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Des Moines to New Orleans, Southwest or Delta?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Des Moines to New Orleans are Southwest and Delta. With an average price for the route of $402 and an overall rating of 8.0, Southwest is the most popular choice. Delta is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $434 and an overall rating of 7.8.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Des Moines to New Orleans?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Des Moines to New Orleans.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Des Moines to New Orleans?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to New Orleans from Des Moines is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Des Moines to New Orleans?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to New Orleans with an airline and back to Des Moines with another airline. Booking your flights between Des Moines and MSY can sometimes prove cheaper using this method.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Des Moines to New Orleans?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to New Orleans from Des Moines up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Reviews of the top 4 airlines serving from Des Moines to New Orleans

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Des Moines to New Orleans. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Des Moines to New Orleans? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.0
SouthwestOverall score based on 4227 reviews
8.1Boarding
7.0Food
8.6Crew
8.0Comfort
7.5Entertainment
Airline reviews

The flight was delayed due to earlier issues at other airports. The crew was excellent & made it a good trip.

6.0 GoodJeremy, Aug 2026
STL - PHL
Read more Southwest reviews

The flight was delayed due to earlier issues at other airports. The crew was excellent & made it a good trip.

Boarding process of asking for volunteers to check bags goes against the system you had before with 2 bags checked free. This process is more of a guilt trip than a caring attitude toward the customer. In addition bag-size scrutiny has increased which also slows down the process of boarding. My wife said she will not fly on your airline again unless there is no other option.

Eveeyrime I fly they are begging for bags due to cabin overhead space. What they should so ia take the bags that are clearly too big to fit wheels first on their side. And those of us who give up the bag should really get their bags first. When boarding, nobody wants stupid jokes about how hot it is on board. Give us some cool air. Im usually sick from the heat by the time we take off.

No wifi, seems to be very common with Southwest currently. Everything else was normal.

Poor customer service, no accommodation for passengers when the flight was delayed over 5 hours.

Friendly crew kept coming by to make sure all was ok, provide additional refreshments, etc.

It was good. Last flight was delayed but I always say that is in God's plan

I’ve always loved Southwest. No issues at all. I was flying standby and the gate agent was extremely friendly and helpful. Boarding was smooth and I was able to get a window seat in the emergency exit row. Crew was fantastic! They were very professional and accommodating. We had to divert from our destination due to weather but the flight crew kept everyone at ease and informed us of all pertinent information. Excellent flight

Exceptional crew! Friendly and professional. Pleasant attitude and treated everyone with respect.

I like the boarding procedure. A bumpy ride, but it couldn't be helped. Please make sure the exit seats are clearly indicated.

Subpar. The seating on the plane is almost unbearable. We are literally touching and/or sitting on each other which is totally unacceptable and shameful. Pilots and crew was very accommodating and friendly.

I love Delta the flight attendants were personable and the flight arrived 1/2 earlier thanks expected. All a plus. The gate agent was a bit flustered but even with that I still had a good experience. Her supervisor assisted me.

two hour delay and the Delta representative on the PA system was unable to understand

Very good flight crew and very nice people staff were incredible especially the gate agent

The flight was delayed for about 2 hrs. Other than it, it was good.

My issue was with TSA agents for delta airlines. My luggage got flagged. The agent was going thru another persons first. He took 20 min to go thru hers. I asked them to bring mine closer so I could sit down . They said you can go sit it will be fine. I said I am supposed to keep my eyes on my bags at all times. The agent was meticulously unwrapping 2 gifts that the lady had and then tried to re warp it. He was trying to be kind i get it but 20 min for me to stand watching him do that was ridiculous. It was 6 am and there were a ton of travelers. Mine was flagged for some air packed tea that I bought in Turkey. My previous delta flight and 2 others before didn’t flag it. Consistency would be nice. Also on the flight the window shades were down for take off and landing - I thought that was very odd I thought they had to remain open for take off and landing.

The crew was wonderful and attentive. The seats near exit row were restrictive. Offer healthy snacks please

I was with one of the last zones to board. It was kind of annoying to finally get called to board and my whole section was already on the plane. Clearly they boarded with previous zones. So by the time I got on board, there were no spaces for my luggage above my head. I had to put my luggage 4+ rows behind me, which meant that I had to wait even longer to get off the plane, since I had to wait for those rows to clear the aisle before I could retrieve my luggage and exit the plane. This also held up the plane cleaners, as they couldn't service my row until I cleared it, so they were all standing there waiting for me, while I'm standing there waiting for the other passengers to clear the aisle. Anyways, I wasn't in a rush this time, so I just waited, but I could see that being a problem in the future. Now, I could have checked my luggage, of course, but coincidentally, a friend of mine on the same flight got their luggage damaged (wheel completely knocked off) and was told by the Baggage Attendant in the airport that Delta doesn't "cover wheel damage" on luggage. This was disappointing to hear. I'm glad I didn't check mine through. If it were my luggage, I'd be highly frustrated to hear that. It makes me not want to check my luggage in the future.

Flight boarded and didn’t take off on time. No worjing entertainment or power socket one side of the plane.

Should board from rear to front, and from windows to aisles. That would be faster and more efficient than boarding from front to rear.

Was on time until within 1 hour of flight-how does that happen? Staff very friendly.

Very rough getting into denver. my kid threw up it was so rough.

How badly can you screw up baggage claim? We were told to go to baggage claim too for our bags from this flight. Another flights bags were there. They finished up. More bags from a different flight arrived. Our bags did not Finally the baggage claim belt stopped working and and are flight was still listed on the arrivals for that baggage claim 2. And then nothing It turns out that they had been delivered not only the United baggage claim but far away on a Delta baggage claim No I never told us. It was only the people looking around who had been on the flight But I’m sure there was plenty of time for the employees to raffle through the bags and steal whatever they wanted

There was no USB plug in my section of the plane. So I could not charge my phone. Also, there was no screen to watch movie or anything like that. Wish I had known that in advance, I would’ve brought my iPad.

Long wait before take off without an update for 20 minutes. Flight was good otherwise.

Liked that we left on time for each flight. Snacks not the best, but we're okay.

On time take off…US cabins look tired and need of refresh!

Flight delayed from Cape Town to Washington then got diverted to miami and in miami we had to fend for ourselves , im still trying to get to Shreveport now

The flight attendant handled a situation in which an angry passenger was demanding to use his own supplemental oxygen equipment firmly but graciously.

Just a crappy airline. The same every time. You feel you are a cow on a farm. You are being being whipped and pulled.

Trash. Sat on the runway for 40 mins…missed connecting flight because of it now I’m stuck. Thanks…a whole fkn lot.

One day, I do so hope for a gluten free snack! Seems like with the rest of the world FINALLY figuring out what gluten free is, American Airlines would too. Fingers crossed!!

The flight was delayed multiple times, again no fault of American but again the extra cost, for everything makes it feel like a cheap airline! Especially when flights are outrageously expensive already

Pitch was very small. Knees were on the seat back in front of me.

Cancelled and rebooked twice in one day with a drop in seat class. Not good at all.

First, to be fair, the flight was on time and the trip through the air was relatively smooth. But the flight was full, and they were checking carryons. As this process went on, the crew got increasingly rude and overbearing. During the drink service, a young girl (maybe 9) who had gotten up to use the lavatory got stuck behind the cart. At some point, she started feeling fearful and overwhelmed. Passengers noticed this and asked the crew to let her return to her seat. They refused. Then she started crying, and they still refused to move the cart forward to let her sit. The poor girl was trying to be brave and compose herself. The crew handled the situation terribly and with zero grace or decency. That episode, to me, encapsulates AA’s attitude toward its passengers. Disgraceful. The plane itself was cramped and miserable, as usual. There was zero inflight media or entertainment, other than the lane and borderline inappropriate jokes the steward made during the safety briefing. Then, of course, it took the better part of an hour for the checked bags to show up at the carousel. AA is no better than the el cheapo airlines these days and a far, far cry from its former self.

It was okay. I opted to pay for an upgrade to an exit row, but this might’ve been the worst exit row experience I’ve ever had. - The fold out table was janky and didn’t fold out properly. - The seats felt squished together as I was the aisle seat in the group of three, but the guy in the middle felt like he was constantly leaning on me. - Everyone who walked by brushed up against me, or knocked my entertainment screen, to include the food and drink carts. Didn’t get one apology or excuse me. - The community flight tracker screen was right in front of me and was sooooooo bright I could barely catch any sleep on my 13hr flight from Seoul to DFW. Not the best experience at all…

Airlines changed our originally booked flights. Our luggage was completely damaged.

Departure more than an hour later. Conexion/waiting time at the airport was more than 7 hours :(

Overall the flights pretty good. The snacks we’re good and they were plenty of them. Both boarding and deplaning went quickly.

Everything you need to know for your flight from Des Moines to New Orleans

Information on your arrival and departure airports