DCA - DSM

$131 Find Cheap Flights from Reagan Washington National Airport to Des Moines - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$288
Typical prices: $426-$576
Frontier
Mon 12/3Mon 12/10
DCA - DSM • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$437
Typical prices: $433-$565
American Airlines
Wed 12/12Sun 12/16
DCA - DSM • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with American Airlines. Average duration is 3h
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 21 weeks in advance save around 46% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 23% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $324 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 4h 18m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to Des Moines!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Reagan-National to Des Moines (DCA-DSM)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from Reagan-National to Des Moines

Thu, Dec 3 - Thu, Dec 10
Frontier Logo
1:33 pm - 7:40 pmDCA  Washington, D.C. Reagan-National-DSM Des Moines
7h 07m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
8:39 pm - 4:55 pmDSM  Des Moines-DCA Washington, D.C. Reagan-National
19h 16m1 stop Denver Intl
$288Frontier
Thu, Dec 17 - Sun, Jan 10
Frontier Logo
1:20 pm - 7:31 pmDCA  Washington, D.C. Reagan-National-DSM Des Moines
7h 11m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
8:17 pm - 12:35 pmDSM  Des Moines-DCA Washington, D.C. Reagan-National
15h 18m1 stop Denver Intl
$300Frontier
Wed, Dec 16 - Fri, Jan 8
Southwest Logo
6:50 pm - 10:05 pmDCA  Washington, D.C. Reagan-National-DSM Des Moines
4h 15m1 stop Chicago Midway
Southwest Logo
3:00 pm - 11:00 pmDSM  Des Moines-DCA Washington, D.C. Reagan-National
7h 00m1 stop Chicago Midway
$377Southwest
Fri, Jan 8 - Tue, Jan 12
Southwest Logo
6:20 am - 10:10 amDCA  Washington, D.C. Reagan-National-DSM Des Moines
4h 50m1 stop Nashville Intl
Southwest Logo
8:00 am - 12:55 pmDSM  Des Moines-DCA Washington, D.C. Reagan-National
3h 55m1 stop Nashville Intl
$377Southwest
Wed, Dec 9 - Wed, Dec 16
Southwest Logo
6:50 pm - 10:05 pmDCA  Washington, D.C. Reagan-National-DSM Des Moines
4h 15m1 stop Chicago Midway
Southwest Logo
3:25 pm - 11:20 pmDSM  Des Moines-DCA Washington, D.C. Reagan-National
6h 55m1 stop Chicago Midway
$377Southwest
Thu, Dec 10 - Mon, Dec 14
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:00 am - 7:42 pmDCA  Washington, D.C. Reagan-National-DSM Des Moines
13h 42m1 stop Denver Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
10:40 am - 9:59 pmDSM  Des Moines-DCA Washington, D.C. Reagan-National
10h 19m2 stops Nashville Intl Denver Intl
$389Multiple Airlines
Sat, Dec 19 - Fri, Dec 25
Delta Logo
7:47 am - 11:56 amDCA  Washington, D.C. Reagan-National-DSM Des Moines
5h 09m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
Delta Logo
12:36 pm - 11:57 pmDSM  Des Moines-DCA Washington, D.C. Reagan-National
10h 21m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
$411Delta
Sat, Dec 12 - Wed, Dec 16
American Airlines Logo
5:28 pm - 7:34 pmDCA  Washington, D.C. Reagan-National-DSM Des Moines
3h 06mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
5:24 am - 9:20 amDSM  Des Moines-DCA Washington, D.C. Reagan-National
2h 56mnonstop
$437American Airlines
Wed, Dec 9 - Wed, Dec 16
American Airlines Logo
8:59 pm - 11:00 pmDCA  Washington, D.C. Reagan-National-DSM Des Moines
3h 01mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
5:24 am - 9:20 amDSM  Des Moines-DCA Washington, D.C. Reagan-National
2h 56mnonstop
$437American Airlines
Wed, Dec 9 - Wed, Dec 16
American Airlines Logo
8:59 pm - 11:00 pmDCA  Washington, D.C. Reagan-National-DSM Des Moines
3h 01mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
7:14 am - 12:55 pmDSM  Des Moines-DCA Washington, D.C. Reagan-National
4h 41m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$447American Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines?

Round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines typically range from $426 to $576. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $288, on Frontier.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines. It’s 10% cheaper than the average day, while Monday is the most expensive, with prices 30% higher.

What’s the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines?

•January is the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines at $379 round-trip.
•October ($571) and August ($563) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 50% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines the cheapest?

Flights from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines are cheapest 21 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 46% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$131
Beat the crowds with an average 28% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 52% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines

When to book flights from Reagan-National to Des Moines

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Reagan-National 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

Your Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines:

    • Earliest: departs at 11:10 am and lands at 2:10 pm
    • Latest: departs at 9:30 pm and lands at 12:30 am.

    The flight takes about 3h.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines?

    Two cabin classes are available on flights from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines:

    • Economy Class
    • First Class

  • How long is a flight from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines?

    A nonstop flight from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines takes 3h, covering 895 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines?

    No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines flight?

    Round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines range from $426 to $576, with an average of $489 over the past 12 months. Anything below $426 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 18% above the $489 route average. Book 21 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $324 round-trip via Denver Intl (DEN), compared to $488 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines?

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $50–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines?

    The Canadair (Bombardier) Regional Jet 700 family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by American Airlines. Other aircraft seen on the route include Embraer 175 variants.

  • How are flight departures from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines spread across the day?

    Evening is the busiest departure period on Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines flights, with 100% of flights leaving in that window. Morning departures account for 0%, afternoon flights for 0%, and night flights for 0%.

  • Have flight prices from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $288 to $2,071. That means the highest observed fare was about 7x higher than the lowest one.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi on Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines flights?

    American Airlines is the only airline on the Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines route offering in-flight Wi-Fi. Pricing depends on fare class.

  • How are flight prices from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines looking right now?

    One-way fares from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $174, which is 48% below the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available at Des Moines Airport (DSM)?

    Des Moines Airport (DSM) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates averaging $82 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Hertz
    • Payless
    • Budget
    • Alamo
    • Avis

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines?

    Flights from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines usually depart from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National (DCA) and arrive at Des Moines (DSM).

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines pass through?

    One-stop flights from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines most commonly connect through:

    • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) - 30% of one-stop connections
    • Chicago Midway (MDW) - 27% of one-stop connections
    • Denver Intl (DEN) - 20% of one-stop connections
    • Lambert-St Louis (STL) - 12% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 31% on flights from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $443 round-trip on average, while Monday is the most expensive at $639, a difference of $196.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • What airlines fly from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines?

    Only American Airlines operates flights between Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport and Des Moines.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines?

    Flying via Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 4h 18m, compared with 4h 50m via Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) and 5h via Lambert-St Louis (STL).

  • What is the time difference between Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport and Des Moines?

    Des Moines is 1 hour behind Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport (Central Time vs Eastern Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Des Moines?

    Some of the most popular sights in Des Moines are UnityPoint Health - Des Moines, Science Center of Iowa and Hy Vee Hall. These are among the most viewed places in Des Moines on KAYAK.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines flights?

    Among airlines operating Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines flights:

    • American Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • American Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

Your guide to booking Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Wednesday departure and avoid flying on Monday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $443, about $196 less than Monday fares (31% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 21 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 46% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines trip for January. Fares historically average $379 round-trip in that month - typically $192 less than the most expensive month, which is October (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Denver Intl Airport (DEN) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $324 round-trip on this route - about $164 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Des Moines Airport.

    • Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
    • Homewood Suites by Hilton - Des Moines Airport
    • Quality Inn & Suites Des Moines Airport

Prefer to fly direct from Reagan Washington National Airport to Des Moines?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport to Des Moines Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Washington, D.C. Reagan-National 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 Washington, D.C. Reagan-National

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

More options for your flight from Reagan-National to Des Moines

Complete your trip to Des Moines with a hotel stay or car rental