RDU - DSM

$122 Find Cheap Flights from Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Des Moines departing on 4/26. 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Des Moines, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$255
Overall average: $362
Multiple Airlines
Wed 4/8Mon 4/13
RDU - DSM • 1 stop
Cheapest one-way
$122
Typical prices: $174-$359
Frontier
Sun 4/26
RDU - DSM • 1 stop
Top airlines
Cheapest • from $276 (round-trip)
Best reviews • 8.0 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
+1
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
Nonstop flights
Not available
There are currently no direct flights between Raleigh and Des Moines. You'll need at least 1 connection.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $388 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 4h 14m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 20% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
+1
Start a new search
KAYAK searches 100s of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you love your trip to Des Moines!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Raleigh to Des Moines (RDU-DSM)

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

Wed, Apr 8 - Mon, Apr 13
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:46 pm - 10:06 pm
RDU
-
DSM
27h 20m
1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
9:07 pm - 6:44 pm
DSM
-
RDU
20h 37m
2 stops
$255Multiple Airlines
Thu, Jun 4 - Mon, Jun 8
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:05 am - 10:58 pm
RDU
-
DSM
16h 53m
1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
4:07 pm - 9:53 pm
DSM
-
RDU
28h 46m
1 stop
$270Multiple Airlines
Wed, May 13 - Tue, May 19
Southwest Logo
1:45 pm - 10:10 pm
RDU
-
DSM
9h 25m
2 stops
Southwest Logo
5:30 am - 10:30 am
DSM
-
RDU
4h 00m
1 stop
$276Southwest
Wed, Apr 8 - Mon, Apr 13
United Airlines Logo
3:00 pm - 9:32 pm
RDU
-
DSM
7h 32m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
3:21 pm - 9:23 pm
DSM
-
RDU
5h 02m
1 stop
$279United Airlines
Wed, May 13 - Tue, May 19
Southwest Logo
1:45 pm - 10:10 pm
RDU
-
DSM
9h 25m
2 stops
Southwest Logo
5:30 am - 1:05 pm
DSM
-
RDU
6h 35m
2 stops
$281Southwest
Fri, Apr 17 - Sun, Apr 19
Multiple Airlines Logo
2:34 pm - 10:57 pm
RDU
-
DSM
9h 23m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:30 am - 8:32 pm
DSM
-
RDU
11h 02m
1 stop
$284Multiple Airlines
Thu, Apr 16 - Sun, Apr 19
Multiple Airlines Logo
9:49 pm - 1:09 pm
RDU
-
DSM
16h 20m
1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:30 am - 9:35 pm
DSM
-
RDU
12h 05m
1 stop
$285Multiple Airlines
Thu, Jun 4 - Mon, Jun 8
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:05 am - 10:58 pm
RDU
-
DSM
16h 53m
1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:56 pm - 9:21 pm
DSM
-
RDU
31h 25m
2 stops
$288Multiple Airlines
Tue, May 12 - Sat, May 16
Southwest Logo
5:40 am - 2:05 pm
RDU
-
DSM
9h 25m
1 stop
Southwest Logo
5:35 am - 10:40 am
DSM
-
RDU
4h 05m
1 stop
$289Southwest
Wed, Apr 8 - Mon, Apr 13
United Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 12:29 pm
RDU
-
DSM
7h 29m
2 stops
United Airlines Logo
3:21 pm - 11:44 pm
DSM
-
RDU
7h 23m
2 stops
$290United Airlines
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Raleigh to Des Moines flights

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

What is the cheapest month to fly from Raleigh to Des Moines?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Des Moines is December, where tickets cost $333 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are February and June, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $677 and $467 respectively.

Good to know

Low seasonFebruary
Cheapest flight$122
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 61% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 5% increase in price.
Flight from Raleigh to Des Moines

When to book flights from Raleigh to Des Moines

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

  • What is the cheapest flight from Raleigh to Des Moines?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Raleigh to Des Moines was $122 for a one-way ticket and $255 for a round-trip.

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

    No, a passport isn't needed to fly from Raleigh to Des Moines. However, local authorities might ask for an official ID.

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

    Raleigh and Des Moines are both served by 1 main airport. You will leave Raleigh from Raleigh-Durham and will be arriving at Des Moines.

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

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

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Raleigh to Des Moines?

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

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

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Raleigh to Des Moines are Southwest and Delta. With an average price for the route of $396 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 $427 and an overall rating of 7.9.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Des Moines.

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

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Des Moines from Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh with another airline. Booking your flights between Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Des Moines

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 4320 reviews
7.5Entertainment
8.6Crew
8.1Boarding
7.0Food
8.0Comfort
Airline reviews

Long layover between flights to Long Island from BWI - need better coordination between flights

4.0 OkayKenny, Mar 2026
TPA - BWI
Read more Southwest reviews

Long layover between flights to Long Island from BWI - need better coordination between flights

I elected to pay for the upgrades and found very little difference

The new seating arrangement is so over priced for what you get.

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.

No food or entertainment, just a quick 40 minute flight. A little bumpy due to Santa Ana winds but pilot has no control over that. Good flight and landing!

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

I realize they are still working out kinks with the new boarding process, but by the time I boarded in group 5, most of the bins were full. All airlines should better enforce small bags and jackets going under the seats until everyone has boarded.

WiFi was not working and didn’t have a beverage service

Snacks are always pretzels. Why can't you also offer peanuts ?

Flight boarded late after announcing on time boarding. Flight arrived only a little late despite late departure. Had trouble connecting to WiFi

Perhaps when you’re sitting in 1st class and the crew closes the bathroom for the pilots, there could be a notification other than holding your hands up as a blockade when you get there and you’re told the restrooms are closed please turn around … especially at night when visibility is poor and you’re met by a flight attendants with their arms up

First class is comfortable. Enjoyed a movie and was able to relax compared to coach.

Loved flying First Class. Very comfortable. The seat was amazing. Enjoyed a movie and was able to relax so much better than in coach.

We landed and sat on the tarmac for 45 minutes because they only have one gate at the airport and there was another plane running late so we had to wait

The WiFi was not working. That made for a long flight.

Absolutely no communication on why there's a delay and multiple flight time reschedules. I would have canceled the flight and drove back home if I known it was going to be rescheduled 3 or 4 times.

Another late night flight and MORE men belligerently drinking and yelling. I had to move from first to economy because they were so obnoxious and disruptive. Crazy to go from a cozy chair to cardboard when you were supposed to be in first. Delta allows was too much drinking which leads to belligerent behavior.

I was in first class and literally the men behind me were so aggressively loud I moved myself to economy. This has become so common on Delta - people using audio without headphones, and men on 12am / late night flights drinking and yelling to talk to each other which prevents anyone around them from resting. Pretty crazy to have to move from first to economy (poorer service, less comfort...). Wild wild. Looking into other airlines.

Love delta smaller commuter plane so no entertainment and paid wifi on MKE-LGA leg was extremely unreliable and slow

Stop changing gates. Stop cancelling flights Stop moving my seat.

Both our flights were delayed. Almost didn’t get in the second flight. Staff was rude to the bone.

Both my flight where delayed Had 25min to make it to my transfer flight

Everything was on time and service on the flight was great!

Wifi Bluetooth features for watching in flight movie was horrible. Screen kept blacking out no connection of sound although it said connected. Other than that smooth trip .

The travel company that you have on your site did me so wrong. I don’t know how it happened, but they put my son‘s name on my plane ticket flying to Vietnam. Along with his birthday. They would not have let me fly from Fort Myers to Ho Chi Minh City. I don’t think that I can ever use your service again. I typed my information into the browser along with my passport number and four days before I’m leaving I have to quickly search another ticket to fly out here.

Seats are uncomfortable. This has been a trend in the industry for decades. Trying to fit more seats on each plane to increase profits at the expense of the passenger.

The flight was delayed so we were dead tired, and after that the turbulence was horrible. I was very scared.

It’s always a great time flying with united airlines.

Good flight. Efficient boarding and competent flight crew. No problems until we arrived at our destination gate. We were early so there was an aircraft at the gate that had to move before we could pull in. Then, due to the type of aircraft we flew, the cabin door could not be opened until some luggage from the cargo bay was offloaded to preserve center of gravity characteristics. So, that further delayed deplaning. Despite being 20 minutes early on landing, we ended up being 5 to 10 minutes late after all the delays.

Everything went well except the turbulence what no one have a control of but pilot and crew handled very good!

American Airlines did everything they could with the high Spring Break crowd. I was frustrated to be changed from 1st class to a middle seat at the back of the plane. This has happened before, not sure booking 1st class and paying the extra actually works.

Plane from partner PSA was filthy. Plastic needs to be thoroughly cleaned. Really disgusting to look at and wonder about cleanliness of parts less visible.

Arrived early picked up my bag in a few minutes- great trip - thank you

I like that the flight attendant was very attentive and helpful. The meal menu could have more of an variety of food choices.

We missed our flight and got stranded in Miami where we had to rent a hotel we could not afford. they would not work with us because they said it was weather related even though the gate attendant said it was not. I could go on but trying to get satisfaction has wore me down, which I believe is the intent. My only solution is to never fly AA again.

Overall it was a good flight. Because we traveled on a Saturday we were upgraded to FC since my wife and I are both Executive Platinum. The only areas for improvement we noted are better snack assortment and perhaps a little nicer plane as American is flying some older planes now. Everything else on this flight was excellent, which is frankly not the norm for American since we have had multiple issues on prior AA flights.

Didn't get a seat assignment until the last minute even though i picked a seat.

Flight was smooth, quick and felt safe. The 2 delays not happening would have been better but I guess that happens in the airline industry

2 hour delay due to equipment failure. No updates via the app and airport screens (which continued to show a departure time in the past). AA eventually switched planes and the new plane was not catered or cleaned correctly.

Could we please end the loud announcements about credit card offers on your flights? We are trying to sleep, work, watch videos, etc. and if we need a credit card, we will ask for one. Flying is already not what it used to be.

Everything you need to know for your flight from Raleigh to Des Moines

Information on your arrival and departure airports