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Cheap Flights from San Francisco Bay Area to Des Moines

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from San Francisco Bay Area to Des Moines

Mon, Nov 9 - Mon, Nov 16
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:02 am - 7:35 pmSFO  San Francisco-DSM Des Moines
11h 33m1 stop Denver Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:04 pm - 8:32 pmDSM  Des Moines-SFO San Francisco
26h 28m2 stops Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl Los Angeles Los Angeles
$217Multiple Airlines
Mon, Nov 9 - Mon, Nov 16
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:02 am - 7:35 pmSFO  San Francisco-DSM Des Moines
11h 33m1 stop Denver Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:04 pm - 6:19 pmDSM  Des Moines-SFO San Francisco
24h 15m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$232Multiple Airlines
Mon, Oct 26 - Mon, Nov 2
Frontier Logo
12:00 pm - 7:30 pmSFO  San Francisco-DSM Des Moines
5h 30m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
8:30 pm - 12:20 amDSM  Des Moines-SFO San Francisco
5h 50m1 stop Denver Intl
$238Frontier
Sat, Sep 19 - Mon, Sep 28
Frontier Logo
6:04 am - 10:44 amSFO  San Francisco-DSM Des Moines
26h 40m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
8:30 pm - 10:47 amDSM  Des Moines-SFO San Francisco
16h 17m1 stop Denver Intl
$239Frontier
Sat, Oct 3 - Tue, Oct 6
American Airlines Logo
7:00 am - 6:26 pmSFO  San Francisco-DSM Des Moines
9h 26m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
American Airlines Logo
4:12 pm - 11:57 pmDSM  Des Moines-SFO San Francisco
9h 45m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
$300American Airlines
Tue, Sep 22 - Wed, Sep 23
United Airlines Logo
12:35 am - 12:16 pmSFO  San Francisco-DSM Des Moines
9h 41m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
United Airlines Logo
5:21 pm - 10:55 pmDSM  Des Moines-SFO San Francisco
7h 34m1 stop Denver Intl
$332United Airlines
Thu, Oct 15 - Sat, Oct 17
American Airlines Logo
9:27 am - 6:55 pmSFO  San Francisco-DSM Des Moines
7h 28m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
American Airlines Logo
2:01 pm - 9:56 pmDSM  Des Moines-SFO San Francisco
9h 55m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$337American Airlines
Tue, Oct 20 - Sat, Oct 31
United Airlines Logo
4:25 pm - 11:48 pmSFO  San Francisco-DSM Des Moines
5h 23m1 stop Denver Intl
United Airlines Logo
1:05 pm - 6:56 pmDSM  Des Moines-SFO San Francisco
7h 51m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$337United Airlines
Wed, Oct 7 - Tue, Oct 13
Delta Logo
12:10 am - 10:11 amSFO  San Francisco-DSM Des Moines
8h 01m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
Delta Logo
3:03 pm - 10:59 pmDSM  Des Moines-SFO San Francisco
9h 56m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$337Delta
Wed, Oct 7 - Sat, Oct 10
Delta Logo
11:40 am - 8:40 pmSFO  San Francisco-DSM Des Moines
7h 00m1 stop Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
Delta Logo
4:07 pm - 11:56 pmDSM  Des Moines-SFO San Francisco
9h 49m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$337Delta
Useful Info

Good to know

Low season

January

Cheapest flight

$120
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 7% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 1% increase in price.
Flight from San Francisco to Des Moines

FAQs for booking flights from San Francisco Bay Area to Des Moines

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from San Francisco Bay Area 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 San Francisco Bay Area to Des Moines.

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

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Des Moines from San Francisco Bay Area 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 San Francisco Bay Area 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 San Francisco Bay Area with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from San Francisco Bay Area 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 San Francisco Bay Area up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from San Francisco Bay Area to Des Moines

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from San Francisco Bay Area 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 4204 reviews
8.0Comfort
8.1Boarding
7.0Food
8.6Crew
7.5Entertainment
Airline reviews

Seated at front bulkhead for a smidge extra leg room away from home and on flight back home. Away crew was very proactive about assuring our carryons had space close behind us (because no seat in front of us our personal items had to be in a small bin overhead). They actively required passengers place overhead luggage on its side so more items could fit in bins. Home crew made no such efforts. I had to struggle back rows to get overhead bags upon landing, no crew help then either, and some disgruntled passengers as I and others retrieved our bags. There was a system that worked pretty well. The home bound crew just didn't feel like working.

4.0 OkayMather, Aug 2026
Read more Southwest reviews

Seated at front bulkhead for a smidge extra leg room away from home and on flight back home. Away crew was very proactive about assuring our carryons had space close behind us (because no seat in front of us our personal items had to be in a small bin overhead). They actively required passengers place overhead luggage on its side so more items could fit in bins. Home crew made no such efforts. I had to struggle back rows to get overhead bags upon landing, no crew help then either, and some disgruntled passengers as I and others retrieved our bags. There was a system that worked pretty well. The home bound crew just didn't feel like working.

Red eye from San Diego. Temperature of the cabin was way too warm and the air duct flowed very little air.

I think Southwest is the number one airline that anyone can fly I have flown for the first time Frontier and what a joke and their customer service United was a very strange experience I'm only sticking to Southwest from here on out for sure

Great job Southwest! My family doesn't fly often but we felt safe the whole time.

Flight was delayed, full flight and I had to change gates. Southwest flights are always late later in the day.

Was fine, delayed and feels like southwest is always late

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.

Love Southwest! Always a good trip with a happy crew who goes out of their way to be kind and fun.

Very bad multiple confusion and miscommunication which i ended up missing my flight.

Even though we arrived early and checked in, for some unexplained reason, our bags were removed from the plane and put on the next flight. It took over 12 hours after arriving to get our bags.

Internet connectivity still seems to be touchy on these flights, making it difficult to rely on it for getting work done.

Delta is always late. Ruined our first day of a short vacation. Timing is important. We pay to stay on an itinerary

Seats were not bad enough and uncomfortable good legroom in the emergency exit row we were in, but we were forbidden to hold my grandson on my lap for a little while, and the stewardess passed us saying it was against regulations which makes little or no sense when you’re 36,000 feet. The food snacks were really bad. Tasteless tasted like wallpaper, but we’re supposed to be protein bars, and the announcements were all completely incoherent because of the noise of the airplane and the lowness and crackly nature of the PA system.. this was disgraceful. No one in our party could understand a word of what the captain or the flight attendant were saying —not a word! The landing was a little hairy in a pretty stiff crosswind -we bounced before the plane stabilized on the runway

Flight team was great and we even arrived ahead of plan!

First The flight got delayed because one of the crew members was late and we couldn’t board until she arrived. Then we all boarded and got held in the tarmac for another 30 min.

Crew was absolutely fantastic and we’re so welcoming and friendly ❤️

It was as good as it could be. Flying is not a pleasant experience these days.

Very good flight. Crew was great. No issues and we even arrived early.

Sitting in coach even in the larger leg space is extremely uncomfortable and the staff pay no attention.

The back to back mechanical delays from Denver to San Diego and then on my return flight from Denver to Great Falls it added extra time both ways

Flight was late, the only reason I almost missed my flight was that my connection was also late.

Baggage claim signs were not updated with my flight information, so I had to guess. The app wasn't updated either.

It was a short, comfortable flight. It did leave an hour late due to the pilot having to be replaced (family emergency) but that didn’t inconvenience myself & my friend. The situation was explained, eventually.

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

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

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

Flight was great. Efficient boarding. Short flight. Early arrival. Friendly flight crew. The entertainment system did not work well. Could not access it until the aircraft reached 10K feet or more. Lots of glitches.

No food service almost missed because of first flight delays

Plane had mechanical issues. We had to de plane and board a different plane and were an hour late

More space for economy, and the bathroom size is only for people with size XS

We enjoy the professionalism and cleanliness of the staff and aircraft. We are grateful to the experiences pilots and flight crew

Our experience with American Airlines was extremely disappointing and honestly made an already exhausting international journey much worse. After flying all the way from Melbourne and dealing with significant jet lag, the American Airlines experience at LAX was the last thing we needed. The terminal and boarding area felt very old and uncomfortable, with little to no air conditioning and only old fans running in the area. Boarding was also through outdoor stairs rather than a jet bridge, which felt especially inconvenient after such a long journey. Even though we were traveling First Class, the onboard experience was surprisingly poor. There were no meaningful snack options, no decent coffee available to order, and the aircraft was so small that there was barely enough overhead space for carry-on luggage. The staff experience was also disappointing and lacked the warmth or attentiveness we had experienced on our international flights. To make matters worse, the flight departed late, extending an already very long travel day. Overall, the combination of the outdated terminal, uncomfortable boarding process, limited First Class service, small aircraft, poor staff experience, and delay made this an extremely unpleasant final leg of our journey. It significantly worsened our exhaustion and jet lag rather than making the connection home easier. Unfortunately, this experience was bad enough that I do not plan to travel with American Airlines again in the future.

I was so hungry. No meals. Staff very nice. Seat arms armed too tight and didn’t go up. I was scheduled for First class, but was put on Standby, even though I made my reservation a while ago. Thank you.

The boarding by groups is pointless. The first two groups worked fine, but almost Noone boarded in goups three thru five leaving the vast majority boarding when group six was called. It defeated the purpose of spreading out the crowd.

I blame kayak for my last trip to dca. Kayak cancelled my direct flight and put on a one stop flight and made lost whole day from my vacation and had not even refunded my ticket.

delayed multiple times. no resolution on anything from AA customer service. was put on hold in chat to talk to manager. was 6th in line to talk to manager for more than TWELVE HOURS - from sometime around 9AM until well after I had gone to bed that evening. no explanation, no attempt to make it right. just a five hour delay because of repeated maintenance claims

Was the most uncomfortable I ever had in the air. Felt like I was trapped in the seat legs cramped and was just horrible. The flight to DSM was a lot better. Even being on a smaller plane was better. Staff are outstanding. No complaints about the people.

It was exactly as I expected, on time, smooth flight, courteous staff.

The seats are tiny and they don’t recline. The planes are dirty and very small. You have to pay for carry on and even the personal item that you’re allowed is smaller than with other airlines. Flights are usually delayed and there’s no screens or any amenities or entertainment.

I really didn't like anything. Paid for my checked luggage online ($79) and then was told that I would have to paid another $79 for my carry on. Was not allowed to enter the terminal until 3 hours before my flight and when I finally was allowed to check my bag and enter, my flight was delayed 3 times. When I finally landed, we were all instructed to "run off the plane" as they had to do a quick turn around to Las Vegas. Me and several of my flying companions will never fly Frontier again.

I paid for the upgraded bundle. Was worth it! Great experience round trip!

It was awful ....my first time flying on it and I will NEVER fly it again ....everything about it was terrible .....most especially the flight attendants

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

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.

This airline sucks. They offer low rates then charge you for everything, the app does not work well, the seats are the most uncomfortable. Maintenance issues on the flight, and you still have to sit through their credit card commercials. People are nice enough but does not make up for overall poor experience.

Traveling to a place near Des Moines?

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