LAX - DSM

$80 Find Cheap Flights from Los Angeles to Des Moines

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Los Angeles to Des Moines departing on 5/18. 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

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Des Moines

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Los Angeles to Des Moines, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Los Angeles to Des Moines, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$210
Typical prices: $514-$325
Frontier
Fri 5/29Wed 6/3
LAX - DSM • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$285
Typical prices: $560-$383
American Airlines
Fri 5/29Wed 6/3
LAX - DSM • Non-stop
Top airlines
Cheapest • from $210 (round-trip)
Best reviews • 8.0 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
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Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with American Airlines. Average duration is 3h 36m
Direct flights
Direct flights
+1
+1
Direct flights
Direct flights
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $294 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 5h 29m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 4 weeks in advance save around 8% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 7% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
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Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Los Angeles to Des Moines (LAX-DSM)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Los Angeles to Des Moines 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 Los Angeles to Des Moines

Fri, May 29 - Wed, Jun 3
Frontier Logo
6:30 am - 1:31 pm
LAX
-
DSM
5h 01m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
2:16 pm - 12:16 am
DSM
-
LAX
12h 00m
1 stop
$210Frontier
Wed, May 27 - Wed, Jun 3
Multiple Airlines Logo
4:31 pm - 10:31 pm
LAX
-
DSM
28h 00m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
2:16 pm - 12:16 am
DSM
-
LAX
12h 00m
1 stop
$223Multiple Airlines
Sun, May 31 - Wed, Jun 3
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:27 pm - 10:48 pm
LAX
-
DSM
24h 21m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
2:16 pm - 12:16 am
DSM
-
LAX
12h 00m
1 stop
$224Multiple Airlines
Wed, May 27 - Wed, Jun 3
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:27 pm - 8:44 pm
LAX
-
DSM
22h 17m
1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
2:16 pm - 12:16 am
DSM
-
LAX
12h 00m
1 stop
$226Multiple Airlines
Tue, Jun 16 - Sun, Jun 21
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:30 am - 1:31 pm
LAX
-
DSM
29h 01m
1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:36 pm - 7:39 am
DSM
-
LAX
13h 03m
1 stop
$229Multiple Airlines
Fri, May 29 - Wed, Jun 3
Frontier Logo
6:30 am - 1:31 pm
LAX
-
DSM
5h 01m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
2:16 pm - 12:16 am
DSM
-
LAX
12h 00m
1 stop
$230Frontier
Thu, May 28 - Sun, May 31
Multiple Airlines Logo
4:31 pm - 1:31 pm
LAX
-
DSM
19h 00m
1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
10:26 pm - 9:03 am
DSM
-
LAX
12h 37m
1 stop
$239Multiple Airlines
Sun, May 31 - Wed, Jun 3
Frontier Logo
8:59 pm - 1:31 pm
LAX
-
DSM
14h 32m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
2:16 pm - 12:16 am
DSM
-
LAX
12h 00m
1 stop
$241Frontier
Mon, Aug 24 - Wed, Sep 30
Multiple Airlines Logo
10:10 am - 1:31 pm
LAX
-
DSM
49h 21m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
2:42 pm - 7:12 am
DSM
-
LAX
18h 30m
1 stop
$245Multiple Airlines
Tue, Jun 16 - Sun, Jun 21
Multiple Airlines Logo
2:00 pm - 1:31 pm
LAX
-
DSM
21h 31m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:36 pm - 9:25 am
DSM
-
LAX
14h 49m
1 stop
$253Multiple Airlines
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Los Angeles to Des Moines flights

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

How much is a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Des Moines?

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

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Los Angeles to Des Moines?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Los Angeles to Des Moines clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

For Los Angeles to Des Moines, Thursday is the cheapest day to fly on average and Sunday is the most expensive. Flying from Des Moines back to Los Angeles, the best deals are generally found on Wednesday, with Tuesday being the most expensive.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Los Angeles to Des Moines?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Los Angeles to Des Moines, 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 Los Angeles to Des Moines is September, where tickets cost $362 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and June, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $436 and $424 respectively.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from Los Angeles to Des Moines?

The average round-trip price for all non-stop flights, flights with one layover, and flights with two layovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

Yes, flying with a layover may cost you more time, but you can also save money on the route, with a 1 stop layover the cheapest option at $411 on average.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Los Angeles to Des Moines?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Los Angeles to Des Moines, 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 Los Angeles to Des Moines, you should book around 4 weeks before departure, which saves you about 8% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 12 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonMarch
Cheapest flight$80
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 5% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 1% increase in price.
Flight from Los Angeles to Des Moines

When to book flights from Los Angeles to Des Moines

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Los Angeles to Des Moines 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 Los Angeles to Des Moines

  • Will I be able to watch a movie on my flight to DSM?

    Some airlines servicing flights from Los Angeles to Des Moines provide inflight entertainment such as entertainment systems on seat backs or streaming movies and tv shows through onboard WiFi to your personal device. The flight details in your KAYAK.com results should show you this information under the plane type.

  • Are there pet relief areas at LAX and DSM?

    If you are traveling with your pet or service animal, there are relief areas for your four-legged companion at both airports. At LAX, there are two outdoor areas by baggage claims at Terminals 5 and 7 and many inside, including Terminal 1 by Gate 13, Terminal 2 by Gate 21A, and Terminal 6 by Gate 62. At DSM, the pet relief area is just north of the Skywalk, by the parking garage outside the terminal.

  • How do I get to Des Moines city center from the airport?

    From DSM, you can take a short walk out to Fleur Drive and catch DART Bus #8 to downtown for about $1.75 per person. Just outside the baggage claim exit, there is also a taxi stand and a pick-up point for ride-share services, such as Lyft and Uber.

  • Can I rent a car from DSM?

    Many major car rental companies have a counter at DSM airport. You can find their counters in the baggage claim area, and many are open from as early as 7 am to as late as around midnight. Please note that, for most of these companies, you must be at least 21 years old to rent a car.

  • What is the cheapest flight from Los Angeles to Des Moines?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Los Angeles to Des Moines was $80 for a one-way ticket and $210 for a round-trip.

  • Do I need a passport to fly between Los Angeles and Des Moines?

    A passport is not required to fly from Los Angeles to Des Moines.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from Los Angeles to Des Moines?

    American Airlines, Delta, and JetBlue offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the Los Angeles to Des Moines flight route.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Los Angeles to Des Moines?

    The Embraer 175 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Los Angeles to Des Moines flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Los Angeles to Des Moines?

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

  • On which days can I fly direct from Los Angeles to Des Moines?

    There are nonstop flights from Los Angeles to Des Moines on a daily basis.

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

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Los Angeles to Des Moines are Southwest and Delta. With an average price for the route of $452 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 $332 and an overall rating of 7.9.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Los Angeles to Des Moines?

    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 Los Angeles to Des Moines.

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

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Des Moines from Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles to Des Moines?

    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 Des Moines with an airline and back to Los Angeles with another airline. Booking your flights between Los Angeles and DSM 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 Los Angeles to Des Moines?

    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 Des Moines from Los Angeles up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Los Angeles to Des Moines

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $316 or less one-way and $337 or less round-trip.
  • You may be able to save some money off a non-stop fare by stopping one or more times on your trip to Des Moines (DSM). One-stop flights include United stopping in Houston and American stopping in Phoenix, while multi-stop flights could be United stopping in San Francisco and Denver or Spirit to Las Vegas, switching to Allegiant in San Diego.
  • There are long-term parking options available at LAX. The Central Terminal Area (CTA) offers convenient access to passenger terminals. The daily rate is about $50, or around $60 for premium spots, but you can get a discount if you reserve a spot online ahead of time. The Economy lot is located on W 94th, and a shuttle service is available 24/7. The rate for the Economy lot is about $30 a day.
  • There are many Metro bus and rail options from various parts of downtown LA to LAX for fares of around $1.75, which may require a few transfers. The most direct route may be the LAX FlyAway bus from Union Station to the airport, with stops at each terminal. The buses run from around 3 am to about 11:30 pm every day, and the fare is $9.75 per person.
  • On average, flights from Los Angeles to Des Moines emit about 1,615 lbs. per passenger. To reduce that amount, you could fly Spirit Airlines to Las Vegas and self-transfer to Frontier to Des Moines. This would save up to 55%, or 886 lbs. If you prefer not to self-transfer, you can still save 45%, or 731 lbs. with United stopping in Denver.
  • If you have some time before your flight to Des Moines boards at LAX, take a walk and explore the many art installations in Terminals 1, 2/3, and 7. You can see works from local and international artists, and you may even catch a live performance to entertain you while you wait.

Prefer to fly direct from Los Angeles to Des Moines?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying direct from Los Angeles to Des Moines.
Find which airlines fly direct from Los Angeles Los Angeles Airport to Des Moines Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Los Angeles to Des Moines

Monday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Tuesday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Wednesday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Thursday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Friday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Saturday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Sunday

American Airlines

American Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Des Moines to Los Angeles

Monday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Tuesday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Wednesday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Thursday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Friday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Saturday

American Airlines

American Airlines

Sunday

American Airlines

American Airlines

See more direct flights

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from Los Angeles to Des Moines

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Los Angeles to Des Moines. 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 Los Angeles to Des Moines? 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 4314 reviews
8.0Comfort
7.5Entertainment
8.1Boarding
7.0Food
8.6Crew
Airline reviews

The entire experience from boarding to landing was amazing! The crew were very friendly. Will definitely be back.

10.0 Excellentlarry, Apr 2026
LGB - PHX
Read more Southwest reviews

The entire experience from boarding to landing was amazing! The crew were very friendly. Will definitely be back.

Delayed flight, lack of information, boarding process is a mess as is the carryon luggage causing issues when leaving the plane….just a poor experience.

Comfortable. Easy. No problems. Just wish they had gf options for snacks.

The crew was very kind and made going to Hawaii relaxing and fun to look forward to! Thank you Southwest for a pleasant flight!

Terrible. Even though there’s assigned seating now, they are still the slowest boarding airline of anyone.

It was good from LAX to Phoenix, But the connection in Phoenix to Tulsa was not that great. The staff on both flights were great. The choice of free entertainment was ok nothing to brag about. The 45 min delay because of some electrical issue wasn't great from Phoenix to Tulsa. We sat there with hardly any air, The seat I had was between windows so the side of the plane pushed in on you. My being a bigger man it then made the seating area uncomfortable. The seats on the plane had no power to connect to recharge your phone or anything. I would recommend that they should look into a slot or clamp to hold your phone to enjoy while watching the entertainment choices hands-free. Also make it possible to raise the inner seat by the window be able to raise the arm rest up to make more room for larger people to set more comfortably. I would also say other then that stop price gouging the airfare or nickel and diming everything. Not fair for people having to fly for emergencies and be paying for higher prices due to the season or holidays. Your making your money either way and the cost of flying is still going to be the same regardless if there's 100 people or 200 people.

Southwest was greaat! The most expensive but the least upsetting for those we were flying to see.

Boarding was easy. The seats are small and fairly uncomfortable

The problem with the seat assignments is that there were a lot of rows in the front that were empty but my row at the back was full. Just not so pleasant.

Good but I prefer choose your own seat. With the new assigned seats they should board from the back I see no advantage to this new boarding. Just like every other airline

While they turned off most cabin lights to allow people to sleep, I was bothered by how bright the side lights still were. It was still quite bright for me in a window seat, when I wish I could have slept!

Generally on time departures and arrivals, clean planes, sky miles membership provides great benefits (complimentary upgrades, etc).

N Everything was perfect from boarding to assistance to baggage in Tampa

Loved the crew! Sucks that we went from 1 hour and 8 minute layover to a 3 hour layover. But weather sucks like that.

Fast, lovely scenery, great info on the Delta flight screen about landmarks we were flying over. Great landing!

Long flight but comfortable and not freezing as I have experienced on Hawaiian flights to the islands. They gave us blankets just in case. Nice touch.

I took seat 15A in anticipation of window seat, there is no window.

Flight late, the waited for a long time for “personal” to arrive at gate to dock the plane in Rochester. So annoying. This flight was expected, why aren’t personel available for the jet bridge?

My recent experience was excellent on Delta! I flew with Delta Comfort and I was really comfortable in my seat. I enjoyed the in-flight service. The flight attendants were so friendly and hospitable. I love the snack on the flight as well. This was my first time flying on Delta and I will definitely consider flying with them again.

My flight was canceled on Sunday. Rebooking took three hours. Had to pay for accommodations another night. New flight was delayed for 5 hours, all that was sent was a 12 dollar food voucher, which doesn’t tell you how to use it. Then when we landed we had to sit on the plane for an hour before we could get off.

A long delay. Don't travel late in the day.

Food was surprisingly delicious. Space in the seat is horrible when the seating front is reclined. Movie offerings were terrible. Crew was friendly and helpful.

The seat was comfortable. There was a lot of turbulence. If it weren't for that,it would have been okay.

The business class seat is exceptional. I wish the food is more palatable.

My flight was canceled a few hours before boarding. I was rebooked on Copa airlines and missed an important meeting .

Business class seats felt very cramped compared to other airlines.

OK, we were delayed and had to de plane and reboard.

Crew was great (professional, attentive, prompt). Snacks for 4 hrs flight is deplorable.

Check-in and in-flight staff were better than average. The seat was a fair size but too hard and not enough padding. The cushion/pillow provided is poor (thin and seems to be disposable ,it provides no effective cushioning or support). Food was OK-ish but no choice of inflight snacks and no easy place to get drinks other than water (I could ask for juice by intruding into the staff area at the back of the plane) Entertainment was very good actually. Overall better than I expected from a US-based airline (sorry!) but compared to ANA or Singapore it was so-so. (I live in Japan so they are my comparative airlines)

Terrible. Our first time back on United for 10 years, the seats in Polaris class are small and uncomfortable. They have squished too many people in to get more $$$. The staff are not friendly and not wanting to accommodate. I asked for two salads rather than a main meal and was advised no we wont do that. Then asked what I would like for breakfast and given something else anyway. I will not be flying United International anytime soon.

Boarding gate at LAX was too crowded—two gates next to one another

On time departure and early arrival. Flight attendant very nice.

The business class layout of chairs was weired. You are sitting directly across stranger.,

Friendly crew is the only nice thing. Seats uncomfortable. Food and snacks horrible. Movies were the same as the first 10 hour flight two weeks before

We left at 1030 am pacific from LA and supposed to land at 7 pm Eastern in NY. They made a detour, stopped in Philadelphia and didn’t land till 1130 PM Eastern!!! Worst flight experience with no pilot communication with no explanation as to what was going on. Everyone was very frustrated to say the least.

I cancelled my ticket less than 24 hours deadline but I didn’t get refunded.

Flight boarded from Gate 159B, the farthest gate in the LAX Bradley Terminal. While the flight operated on time, the first class cabin attendant made no recognition of my being an Advantage Executive Platinum member.

The flight itself was excellent but the gate attendant made me check my carryon since she said it was an inch too big. I’ve had no problems with this carryon on recent flights on Qantas, Delta, Austrian, Southwest Airlines even though the overhead bins are the same size. there were other carryons in the bins that also looked larger than mine and there was room left in the bins for more. When I picked up my carryon from baggage claim one of the wheels had broken off.

I was in last row so that is never great bc the person in front of me leaned his seat all the way back into me.

Flight was scheduled at 11:26am but they keep Delaying until midnight. They waited at airport restless.

Plane was hot and miserable and the crew was rude!

12 hour delay required getting on and off plane 3 times - would have at least liked to have been offered a snack or drink

They didn’t offer a water, even after I asked

They switched our terminal 3 times and we were delayed for four plus hours!!!

It was an early flight and most people napped/slept and the crew let us which was nice.

The crew acted like they had never done this and kept barking passive aggressive orders at people. + the security line + the delay + sitting on the tarmac for 2 hours + none of the apps or signage updating with correct times

Remind customers of the need to have passport or new ID for boarding.

The flight never took off and we spent 7 hours at the airport

It was ok. It was expensive to check 2 bags ($75.00 per bag), and then it took a long time to wait for shuttle to take us from one terminal to the terminal where the plane was taking off at LAX. And all of this for a flight where we had to pay for any food or drink that was not water.

When I wanted to check in 3 hours prior to boarding time, the employees mentioned “a little over an hour delay” so I waited for an hour then I went to go look for food in the terminal and most people from that flight were in the same area looking for food. Finally I decided after food to check to see if it’s anytime closer and now it’s 2 mins until boarding closes?! What are you kidding me? I didn’t receive anything via sms about boarding now nor via email or on the intercom. I luckily made it through, barely, and then there’s no room for my carry on mind you I’m in the very first row so I had to place my purse in one further row back and my carry on sections down. Not sure who pays for better seats to get your stuff placed all over the plane but that was the worst experience I’ve ever had flying with anyone.

Everything you need to know for your flight from Los Angeles to Des Moines

Information on your arrival and departure airports