RDU - DSM

$91 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 8/22. 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

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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Flights 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

Thu, Sep 18 - Mon, Sep 22
American Airlines Logo
2:42 pm - 9:54 pmRDU-DSM
8h 12m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
6:09 pm - 11:54 pmDSM-RDU
4h 45m1 stop
$159American Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Aug 23 - Sat, Aug 30
American Airlines Logo
8:19 pm - 11:45 pmRDU-DSM
4h 26m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
6:28 am - 2:58 pmDSM-RDU
7h 30m1 stop
$172American Airlines
Find Deal
Mon, Aug 4 - Tue, Aug 12
Southwest Logo
8:55 pm - 11:50 pmRDU-DSM
3h 55m1 stop
Southwest Logo
8:25 am - 6:30 pmDSM-RDU
9h 05m2 stops
$219Southwest
Find Deal
Mon, Aug 11 - Wed, Aug 13
United Airlines Logo
5:00 pm - 10:17 pmRDU-DSM
6h 17m1 stop
United Airlines Logo
6:24 am - 2:13 pmDSM-RDU
6h 49m2 stops
$228United Airlines
Find Deal
Mon, Aug 4 - Tue, Aug 12
Southwest Logo
5:15 pm - 11:50 pmRDU-DSM
7h 35m2 stops
Southwest Logo
8:25 am - 6:30 pmDSM-RDU
9h 05m2 stops
$234Southwest
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Fri, Aug 29 - Mon, Sep 1
Delta Logo
5:20 am - 10:38 amRDU-DSM
6h 18m1 stop
Delta Logo
5:55 pm - 11:16 pmDSM-RDU
4h 21m1 stop
$237Delta
Find Deal
Fri, Aug 22 - Fri, Aug 29
United Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 2:10 pmRDU-DSM
9h 10m2 stops
United Airlines Logo
3:25 pm - 9:58 pmDSM-RDU
5h 33m1 stop
$298United Airlines
Find Deal
Tue, Aug 5 - Sun, Aug 10
Delta Logo
5:20 am - 10:39 amRDU-DSM
6h 19m1 stop
Delta Logo
5:30 am - 11:32 amDSM-RDU
5h 02m1 stop
$308Delta
Find Deal
Thu, Jul 31 - Mon, Aug 4
 Logo
9:10 am - 10:38 pmRDU-DSM
14h 28m2 stops
 Logo
8:35 am - 5:40 pmDSM-RDU
8h 05m1 stop
Fri, Aug 22 - Fri, Aug 29
 Logo
11:55 am - 10:42 pmRDU-DSM
11h 47m2 stops
 Logo
8:59 pm - 6:31 pmDSM-RDU
20h 32m2 stops
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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’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Raleigh to Des Moines?

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

Your flight ticket price will generally be cheaper if you fly to Des Moines on a Saturday and more expensive on a Sunday. On your return trip to Raleigh, you should consider flying back on a Wednesday, and avoid Sundays for better deals.

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 January, where tickets cost $346 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are June and October, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $502 and $436 respectively.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Des Moines, you should book around 3 weeks before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 11 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonFebruary
High seasonSeptember
Cheapest flight$91
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 2% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 8% lower on average.
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 $91 for a one-way ticket and $159 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?

    The Boeing 737-900 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Raleigh to Des Moines flight route.

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

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

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

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Raleigh to Des Moines are Delta and Southwest. With an average price for the route of $428 and an overall rating of 8.0, Delta is the most popular choice. Southwest is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $376 and an overall rating of 8.0.

  • 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 4250 reviews
8.1Boarding
8.6Crew
7.6Entertainment
8.0Comfort
7.0Food
Airline reviews

It was one and half hour late... Not sure if any other experience matters.

4.0 OkaySudhir, Jul 2025LGA - MCI
Read more Southwest reviews

It was one and half hour late... Not sure if any other experience matters.

Delayed flight. Nicest crew member was a SW pilot flying seated next to me who kindly move to seat the final passenger. Flight extra delayed. My cup of refreshment of ginger ale was so packed with ice it was literally 2 sips.

For my birthday trip this was my second time ever flying, this trip was the best.

after landing, we stay 2 hours on the taxi way before reaching the gate The airline and the crew were good though

No trays in our seats, we sat in first row, purchased a business class fare. Had to hold our drinks and snack in our hands. No plugs for our cell phones. Had to pay for it a drink cocktail each. Seats so uncomfortable.

Flight wasn’t even full, but too many carry-ons caused us to run out of bin space. New bag fee has folks who would usually check their bags carrying on. Watching Southwest morph into Spirit/Frontier is so sad to watch

Sat on tarmac for 2 hours and then missed my connecting flight

First time traveling on Southwest since bag fees were implemented. Usual good service. Just more expensive now.

Everything was on time. I was disappointed by the front section female, African American flight attendant. I did not see her name tag or would have identified by name not race. As passengers moved to the bathroom early in flight, she would say with a disdainful tone “I have to say the seat belt light is on” then go back to her book. Better trained flight attendants say something like be careful the seat belt light is on.

Cluster mess boarding. Can't wait for SWA reserved seating. Internet didn't seem to work on the plane.

Very late arrival at PWM. Late jet getting to ATL. Equipment problem with aircraft - could not get enough water onto plane., Another delay getting FAA approval for flight with bottled H2O. Not the crew’s problem.

Everything was fine except the entertainment was not working for half of the flight.

Easy boarding with an extremely kind attendant. Seats were spacious and we had 3 seats for 2 people so we could stretch out. Comfortable air flow and very attentive and hospital attendants. Bathrooms and food were the only negative. Bathrooms were so small you could hardly get in and close the door. I don’t think an obese person would fit or a person with a movement disability. Food was the trending food for flights, nonexistent. We spent $40 getting sandwich and snack at airport for our 6 hour flught.

At first, we were on the runway for about an hour, literally. The Captain did explain that the Control Tower just had a change shift (sounds like an unrealistic excuse) and then that we had to change a runway. A regular economy seat is made for 12 yo twiggy. I understand Delta wants to push for an upgrade, but after sitting in a Comfort seat and in First class. I would say First class is not worthy of my money. The landing was delayed because of the weather in NYC, I don't hold that against Delta, of course. The Captain did alert us to that upon takeoff in Vegas and again as we reached NY.

No one fussed at me about my pap machine as a 3rd pice on the plane. Boarding was pleasant and smooth. The boarding agent in Anchorage was a fun character- he could be in a movie. :~) The on-board crew were downright pleasant. No militant attitudes on Delta. Like all planes these days the seats are too narrow for standard Americans and at 5’2” there is barely enough leg room. I don’t know how tall people fold themselves into the seats. But that’s nothing specific to Delta

My husband upgraded our seats and I don't know if it was due to the type of planet was or if they didn't upgrade our seats. We were supposed to be in I believe comfort seats and they were just as tight as any other seat- no leg room and we are very tall people but at least it wasn't extremely cold. My husband did put in a complaint about our seating because he paid extra and if we would have known that the space and the tightness would have been the same, we just would have gotten the emergency row emergency row seats that we normally get. We love Delta but both our flights coming home we're not good. Oh I forgot to mention that on our flight to Hawaii our luggage wheels got broke and we had to purse new luggage on vacation then we never had this problem so we didn't know protocol and reported it after we got home only for them to tell is we only had 24hrs to report the damage. Not sure what was going on with Delta this vacation trip.

My flight was extremely cold. I had a jacket and a cover was left in each seat. The cover was extremely thin and I have a disability, fibromyalgia and arthrithis and AC air is the worst. I closed my vent and my husbands vent and it still was frigid. I asked the attendant if I could get another cover and she quickly almost dismissively and totally unconcerned stating, (I quote) (one per chair) and walked off so quickly that I didn't get a chance to explain to her that I literally have adisability. I didnt want to make a seen so I set on that flight for over 5 hours in pain, joints locking up and extremely uncomfortable. When my fibromyalgia flares up my joints not only ache but they will lock up also and it takes me days to get back to my regular self even though I take medication for it. I felt like it would not have hurt anyone at all for her to just give me an extra cover because I'm sure they have all types of medical issues in people that fly every day.

After all the weather issues at least they got me to my destination the next day

My flight was canceled after being rescheduled for four days canceling my trip. Kayak and everyone affiliated with it I.e the airlines, and just fly have been excruciating to deal with. My trip to visit family had to be canceled as there was no way to make it. I am furious at all of you.

They delayed our flight because of bad weather in NY which was completely understandable. Then they cancelled our flight and a later flight that evening. The earliest we could fly was the next morning. We ended up buying last minute tickets on another airline and made it home slightly delayed but safely that evening. Delta kept saying it was weather related but if that was the case how did we make it back on another airline? The weather in NY was cloudy but not bad.

I liked the choice of lemon ginger tea. I think stewardesses can be more considerate of older people needs.

It was great, I’m very grateful for the pilots and crew flight attendants for everything.

Everything was great. Only thing that could’ve made it better was buy on board options for hot food, but the snacks were decent. The flight attendants were great. I had no complaints. I was able to make it to my destination safely

Overall it was good. I missed my connection but I was put on another flight.

The attendant were friendly. I suggest you have a medical attendant on board every flight so that in case someone is sick , he/she will help them.

The woman gate agent in Phoenix was none too sympathetic about my check-in process as I am relatively new with using apps. I almost did not get on because she said I did not check-in. I thought I had via Kayak where I purchased a very expensive ticket. Lesson learned but to be told I may not get on as a matter of factly was difficult to hear.

Overall a very poor experience - booked premium economy tickets but due to last minute flight delays , all my itinery went for a toss and had to fly economy class with no access to lounge or any compensation by united airlines to make up for the flight delays . i had expected better experience than that from united.

Boarded plane and then delayed 1.5 hours while on the plane

Survey sent before we actually left. Delay after delay. Now a crew problem.

I love flying with United. Unfortunately, I flew on an older plane with minimal upgraded technology (no Bluetooth functionality or handy charging ports). Otherwise, the flight was great and even arrived early.

This flight never occurred because AA couldn’t get their act together.

Boarding was very efficient. Everyone got on board and we got on our way very quickly. It was frustrating that the entertainment app was not functioning properly. I was not able to activate some of the movies offered. The crew on this flight appears to be pretty grumpy. They had no smile on their faces. I felt like they were doing us a favor for being there.

Delayed because of weather in Nashville. I think God or some higher power generally has cursed me when it comes to flying out of Charlotte on American. I'm delayed pretty much everytime. We need Team Cobra Kai types to come in and "sweep the leg(s)" of the Charlotte ops people on principle. Don't let the sweet southern rocking chairs fool you, Charlotte is a sinkhole

Long 5 hour and 45 min flight and only one drink service and cookie snack

Newark airport grounded inbound flight and only announced when the flight was about to start taxing.

Terrible. The flight was delayed two hours due to weather. Then when we got on the plane, the first pilot ended up timing out and we had to wait for a second pilot. Second pile came on board and we tax it out. Had to return back to the gate because of an unruly passenger. Then the copilot timed out. Had to wait for new copilot. Also had to wait for maintenance to check for fuel. Then found out the second pilot timed out and we had to wait for a third pilot. Was ready to go and then needed maintenance again for another issue. In the end, it was 2 o’clock in the morning when they announced that the flight couldn’t go because the third pilot and the second copilot had timed out.

American Airlines initially postponed the flight. Then they cancelled it an rescheduled us on a flight that would take over 24 hours with multiple stops. They then changed this flight to a reasonable alternative the next day which they later cancelled and replaced with a flight that would take off with an additional 16 hour delay. They blamed weather but I noticed (at 4am) that Delta had direct flights from Charlotte to Detroit. I went on line. Booked it and was in Detroit buy 9am. The interesting thing is they did a similar thing to a family member just 2 days earlier. I don't think I will fly American unless I have to.

I was a little disappointed of not having an android charger. Only one it was for an iPhone. I've flown American in the past and had access to one.

At least it was a short flight. Greyhound with wings.

One of the best flights I’ve had. So smooth.

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