Which layover airport has the shortest connection time from Des Moines to San Francisco?

Phoenix (PHX) has the shortest average layover time for this route: 0h 55m.

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Wednesday is statistically the day of the week which experiences the fewest number of delays on this flight route. Sunday has historically seen more delays on average compared to the rest of the week.

What is the most punctual flight time for Des Moines to San Francisco flights?

Generally, flights departing in the morning tend to experience fewer delays. Flights in the early afternoon have, in the past, seen delays more frequently in comparison.

Which layover airport offers the lowest fares from Des Moines to San Francisco?

Flights via Denver (DEN) offer the lowest average round-trip price of $486.

What is the cheapest airline that flies from Des Moines to San Francisco?

Southwest is the most popular carrier operating from Des Moines to San Francisco

Which layover airport has the shortest travel time from Des Moines to San Francisco?

Flights connecting via Denver (DEN) have the shortest average one-way travel time: 6h 05m.

Which airport is the most popular layover for flights between Des Moines and San Francisco?

Phoenix (PHX) was the most common stop: 50% of momondo users choosing 1-stop flights on this route connected there.

How often are flights from Des Moines to San Francisco delayed?

Historically, on average around 33% of flights between Des Moines and San Francisco have experienced a delay on any given week. The average delay length over the past 12 months has been 40 minutes.

What airlines fly to San Francisco?

Southwest, American Airlines and United Airlines are the top three most popular airlines that fly to San Francisco from Des Moines according to our data. Southwest is the first choice among our users, with 36% of people opting to fly with this airline when traveling to San Francisco. Keep in mind that there are 5 different airlines that fly to San Francisco on a routine basis, so you have a few additional options to choose from.

When did momondo last update prices for flights from Des Moines Airport to San Francisco Airport?

Prices for flights from Des Moines Airport to San Francisco Airport are updated daily.

How many operators does momondo search for flights from Des Moines Airport to San Francisco Airport?

The number of operators available for flights from Des Moines Airport to San Francisco Airport is 5 as of August 2026.

How old do you have to be to fly from Des Moines Airport to San Francisco Airport?

The minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, but airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service may have their own age limitations. Flight duration, scheduling, and layovers are among the considerations that may influence age limits. We recommend that you double-check with the airline you are booking with for travel from Des Moines Airport to San Francisco Airport.

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to San Francisco Airport?

The travel and health documents you'll need for your trip to San Francisco Airport may differ based on your itinerary and personal situation. Typically, you should have several documents on hand, such as a national ID card or driver's license and a passport that is valid for six months after your intended arrival at San Francisco Airport. It is always advisable to seek advice from your airline or a trusted third party, such as IATA.

$107 Cheap Flights from Des Moines to San Francisco in 2026

Discover deals from 900+ travel sites with momondo.

Find the cheapest flights from Des Moines to San Francisco

Round-trip

One-way

Last minute

Cheap round-trip flights

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

9:31 pm - 8:14 amDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

12h 43m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

9:00 am - 1:52 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

26h 52m2 stops Los Angeles Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

$210Multiple Airlines

Mon, Sep 21 - Tue, Sep 29

9:31 pm - 8:14 amDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

12h 43m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

11:17 am - 1:52 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

24h 35m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

$216Multiple Airlines

Mon, Sep 21 - Tue, Sep 29

8:25 pm - 12:15 amDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

5h 50m1 stop Denver Intl

6:00 am - 7:30 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

11h 30m1 stop Denver Intl

$239Frontier

Mon, Oct 19 - Mon, Oct 26

8:25 pm - 12:15 amDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

5h 50m1 stop Denver Intl

12:20 pm - 7:35 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

5h 15m1 stop Denver Intl

$254Frontier

Mon, Oct 26 - Fri, Oct 30

6:22 pm - 11:49 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

7h 27m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth

7:15 am - 6:55 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

9h 40m1 stop Los Angeles

$316American Airlines

Fri, Oct 2 - Wed, Oct 7

4:12 pm - 9:07 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

6h 55m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth

5:45 am - 1:34 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

5h 49m1 stop Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl

$337American Airlines

Tue, Oct 20 - Wed, Oct 21

5:50 am - 1:40 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

9h 50m1 stop Chicago Midway

6:00 am - 1:20 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

5h 20m1 stop Denver Intl

$337Southwest

Sat, Oct 24 - Mon, Oct 26

7:51 pm - 11:58 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

6h 07m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul

10:25 pm - 10:42 amSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

10h 17m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson

$337Delta

Thu, Oct 15 - Tue, Oct 20

6:55 am - 10:52 amDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

5h 57m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul

12:10 am - 10:11 amSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

8h 01m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul

$337Delta

Tue, Oct 20 - Wed, Oct 21

5:55 pm - 9:10 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

5h 15m1 stop Denver Intl

6:30 am - 7:50 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

11h 20m2 stops Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Denver Intl

$342Southwest

Sat, Oct 10 - Sat, Oct 17

Cheap last minute flights

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

1:35 pm - 5:34 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

5h 59m1 stop Denver Intl

8:45 am - 4:19 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

5h 34m1 stop Denver Intl

$369United Airlines

Sat, Sep 5 - Sat, Sep 12

4:13 pm - 11:10 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

8h 57m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth

2:48 pm - 12:20 amSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

7h 32m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl

$369American Airlines

Sat, Sep 5 - Sun, Sep 6

3:05 pm - 8:40 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

7h 35m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

5:00 am - 7:30 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

12h 30m2 stops Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl Chicago Midway

$374Southwest

Sat, Sep 5 - Sat, Sep 12

2:19 pm - 12:18 amDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

11h 59m1 stop Denver Intl

6:00 am - 1:34 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

5h 34m1 stop Denver Intl

$410Frontier

Fri, Sep 4 - Mon, Sep 7

10:01 pm - 8:43 amDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

12h 42m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

10:24 pm - 8:41 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

20h 17m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

$463Multiple Airlines

Thu, Sep 3 - Thu, Sep 10

1:35 pm - 7:38 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

8h 03m1 stop Denver Intl

12:45 am - 2:16 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

11h 31m2 stops Houston George Bush Intcntl Chicago O'Hare Intl

$474United Airlines

Sat, Sep 5 - Sat, Sep 5

9:39 am - 6:45 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

11h 06m2 stops Nashville Intl Denver Intl

10:24 pm - 8:41 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

20h 17m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

$477Multiple Airlines

Thu, Sep 3 - Thu, Sep 10

12:10 pm - 8:40 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

10h 30m2 stops Chicago Midway Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

6:25 am - 8:50 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

12h 25m2 stops San Diego Denver Intl

$479Southwest

Sat, Sep 5 - Sat, Sep 12

2:19 pm - 6:45 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

6h 26m1 stop Denver Intl

6:00 am - 1:34 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

5h 34m1 stop Denver Intl

$794Frontier

Fri, Sep 4 - Mon, Sep 7

5:30 am - 4:02 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

12h 32m1 stop Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl

8:08 am - 8:46 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

10h 38m1 stop Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl

$1,029American Airlines

Thu, Sep 3 - Mon, Sep 7

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American Airlines flights from Des Moines to San Francisco

Our best American Airlines deals on Des Moines to San Francisco flight tickets

American Airlines

Oct 2

DSM6:22 pmDes Moines

7h 27m

1 stop

SFO11:49 pmSan Francisco

Oct 7

SFO7:15 amSan Francisco

9h 40m

1 stop

DSM6:55 pmDes Moines

$316

American Airlines

Sep 26

DSM2:17 pmDes Moines

6h 54m

1 stop

SFO7:11 pmSan Francisco

Oct 3

SFO7:00 amSan Francisco

9h 26m

1 stop

DSM6:26 pmDes Moines

$343

American Airlines

Sep 8

DSM1:55 pmDes Moines

11h 50m

1 stop

SFO11:45 pmSan Francisco

Sep 16

SFO7:00 amSan Francisco

8h 36m

1 stop

DSM5:36 pmDes Moines

$683

Delta flights from Des Moines to San Francisco

Our best Delta deals on Des Moines to San Francisco flight tickets

Delta

Oct 10

DSM12:25 pmDes Moines

7h 56m

1 stop

SFO6:21 pmSan Francisco

Oct 12

SFO6:05 amSan Francisco

6h 20m

1 stop

DSM2:25 pmDes Moines

$337

Delta

Oct 9

DSM7:51 pmDes Moines

6h 07m

1 stop

SFO11:58 pmSan Francisco

Oct 13

SFO10:55 pmSan Francisco

8h 47m

1 stop

DSM9:42 amDes Moines

$353

Delta

Sep 9

DSM4:11 pmDes Moines

9h 46m

1 stop

SFO11:57 pmSan Francisco

Sep 15

SFO11:30 pmSan Francisco

9h 16m

1 stop

DSM10:46 amDes Moines

$483

momondo Fare Finder

Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Des Moines to San Francisco that are best for you.

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cheapest round-trip

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM Des Moines - SFO San Francisco

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Mon 9/21

9:31 pm-8:14 am

1 stop12h 43m

San Francisco

Tue 9/29

9:00 am-1:52 pm

2 stops26h 52m

$210

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM Des Moines - SFO San Francisco

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Mon 9/21

9:31 pm-8:14 am

1 stop12h 43m

San Francisco

Tue 9/29

11:17 am-1:52 pm

1 stop24h 35m

$216

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM Des Moines - SFO San Francisco

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Mon 10/19

8:25 pm-12:15 am

1 stop5h 50m

San Francisco

Mon 10/26

6:00 am-7:30 pm

1 stop11h 30m

$239

Quickest round-trip

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM Des Moines - SFO San Francisco

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Mon 10/26

8:25 pm-12:15 am

1 stop5h 50m

San Francisco

Fri 10/30

12:20 pm-7:35 pm

1 stop5h 15m

$254

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM Des Moines - SFO San Francisco

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Fri 10/2

6:22 pm-11:49 pm

1 stop7h 27m

San Francisco

Wed 10/7

7:15 am-6:55 pm

1 stop9h 40m

$316

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM Des Moines - SFO San Francisco

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Tue 10/20

4:12 pm-9:07 pm

1 stop6h 55m

San Francisco

Wed 10/21

5:45 am-1:34 pm

1 stop5h 49m

$337

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM Des Moines - SFO San Francisco

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Sat 10/24

5:50 am-1:40 pm

1 stop9h 50m

San Francisco

Mon 10/26

6:00 am-1:20 pm

1 stop5h 20m

$337

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM Des Moines - SFO San Francisco

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Thu 10/15

7:51 pm-11:58 pm

1 stop6h 07m

San Francisco

Tue 10/20

10:25 pm-10:42 am

1 stop10h 17m

$337

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM Des Moines - SFO San Francisco

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Tue 10/20

6:55 am-10:52 am

1 stop5h 57m

San Francisco

Wed 10/21

12:10 am-10:11 am

1 stop8h 01m

$337

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM Des Moines - SFO San Francisco

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Sat 10/10

5:55 pm-9:10 pm

1 stop5h 15m

San Francisco

Sat 10/17

6:30 am-7:50 pm

2 stops11h 20m

$342

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Showing 1-10 of 20 resultsSorted by cheapest first

How to get the cheapest flight ticket from Des Moines to San Francisco

Look no further. We've gone through all the searches for this route on momondo so you have the important information and insights to find the cheapest flight ticket for your trip

Prices

Airlines

Delays

Layovers

What is the typical price of a round-trip flight between Des Moines and San Francisco?

Prices are currently low for flights on this route.

Typical prices usually range from $330 to $466.
The lowest price recently found on this route was $210.

What is the cheapest month to fly to San Francisco?

If you aren’t able to travel to San Francisco during the month of February, then flying in December is also cheap. Prices for this month can be found on momondo for an average of $386.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Des Moines to San Francisco?

You are more likely to see cheaper flights to San Francisco from Des Moines when booking weeks ahead of your departure date. In general, you can expect to find flights to San Francisco for around $458 when searching weeks out. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to San Francisco from Des Moines for as low as $367 on momondo.

How have Des Moines to San Francisco flight prices changed over time?

As of August 2026, prices for Des Moines to San Francisco flights are approximately 52% more expensive when compared to flights at the same time last year.

When to book flights from Des Moines to San Francisco

Are you open to changing your travel dates? Check out the ideal times to fly from Des Moines to San Francisco according to our flight data. Find out which month and days have the cheapest flights.

Estimated round-trip price

Cheap Des Moines to San Francisco (DSM to SFO) flight deals and tips

Find info about flight duration, direct flights, and airports for your flight from Des Moines to San Francisco

Best Price Found	$107
Fastest flight time	6h 04m
Direct flights	None

The best one-way flight to San Francisco from Des Moines in the past 72 hours is $107. The best round-trip flight deal from Des Moines to San Francisco found on momondo in the last 72 hours is $210.

The fastest flight from Des Moines to San Francisco takes 6h 04m

There are no direct flights from Des Moines to San Francisco. There are no popular flight routes from Des Moines to San Francisco.

Search flight deals

Frequently asked questions about flying from Des Moines to San Francisco

How far is Des Moines to San Francisco by plane?
There are 1543.9 mi between Des Moines and San Francisco. Typically, this will take 6h 04m by plane in normal conditions.
When did momondo last update prices for flights from Des Moines Airport to San Francisco Airport?
Prices for flights from Des Moines Airport to San Francisco Airport are updated daily.
How many operators does momondo search for flights from Des Moines Airport to San Francisco Airport?
The number of operators available for flights from Des Moines Airport to San Francisco Airport is 5 as of August 2026.
How old do you have to be to fly from Des Moines Airport to San Francisco Airport?
The minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, but airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service may have their own age limitations. Flight duration, scheduling, and layovers are among the considerations that may influence age limits. We recommend that you double-check with the airline you are booking with for travel from Des Moines Airport to San Francisco Airport.
What documentation or ID do you need to fly to San Francisco Airport?
The travel and health documents you'll need for your trip to San Francisco Airport may differ based on your itinerary and personal situation. Typically, you should have several documents on hand, such as a national ID card or driver's license and a passport that is valid for six months after your intended arrival at San Francisco Airport. It is always advisable to seek advice from your airline or a trusted third party, such as IATA.
What is the most popular airline from Des Moines to San Francisco?
momondo data reveals that the most frequently booked airline on the route from Des Moines to San Francisco is American Airlines, representing 29% of all bookings. The subsequent popular airlines are United Airlines at 26%, Southwest at 25%, and Frontier at 10%.

Best airlines flying from Des Moines to San Francisco

Compare and see reviews for airlines that fly from Des Moines to San Francisco with momondo

Airline	Rating	Free Cancellation	Price
Frontier	PriceFrom $120	Free Cancellation	Rating 5.6 2,635 reviews	Search Frontier flights
United Airlines	PriceFrom $253	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.4 10,148 reviews	Search United Airlines flights
Delta	PriceFrom $286	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.8 8,538 reviews	Search Delta flights
American Airlines	PriceFrom $346	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.1 12,021 reviews	Search American Airlines flights
Southwest	PriceFrom $371	Free Cancellation	Rating 8.0 4,199 reviews	Search Southwest flights

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Modesto

South San Francisco

Bodega Bay

Fremont

Berkeley

Hayward

Walnut Creek

Santa Clara

Sunnyvale

Vallejo

Roseville

Salinas

Sonoma

Daly City

Milpitas

Half Moon Bay

Burlingame

Marina

Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to find a flight deal from Des Moines to San Francisco?

Finding the right flight to San Francisco from Des Moines is quick and easy when you have a range of options in front of you, from reputable agents and recognisable airlines. Options that can then be filtered down to find the best fit. That is what momondo does. We make finding flights to San Francisco quick and easy, saving you time and money.

Can I find flights from Des Moines to San Francisco with flexible booking policies on momondo?

Yes. momondo allows you to filter the results for Des Moines to San Francisco flights to just show those with flexible booking policies.

How can momondo help me find flights from Des Moines to San Francisco?

momondo provides multiple filters to help you find the best flight to San Francisco from Des Moines. Filter by price, airline, airports, cabin, aircraft, payment method, number of stops and more.

I’m not ready to book a flight from Des Moines to San Francisco right now. Can momondo alert me if prices change?

Yes momondo offers price alerts on flights to San Francisco from Des Moines. After performing a search on this page you should be able to see the price alert set up feature. Simply provide a valid email address and momondo will instantly alert you when prices change.

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Cheap flights from Des Moines to San Francisco from $107

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a momondo user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Des Moines to San Francisco departing on 9/28. Fares may change, and may not be available for all flights or travel dates. Click the price to refresh the search for this deal.

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American Airlines flights from Des Moines to San Francisco

Our best American Airlines deals on Des Moines to San Francisco flight tickets

Delta flights from Des Moines to San Francisco

Our best Delta deals on Des Moines to San Francisco flight tickets

momondo Fare Finder

Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Des Moines to San Francisco that are best for you.

See travel insights to San Francisco from

How to get the cheapest flight ticket from Des Moines to San Francisco

What is the typical price of a round-trip flight between Des Moines and San Francisco?

What is the cheapest month to fly to San Francisco?

How far in advance should I book a flight from Des Moines to San Francisco?

How have Des Moines to San Francisco flight prices changed over time?

What is the cheapest airline that flies from Des Moines to San Francisco?

What airlines fly to San Francisco?

How often are flights from Des Moines to San Francisco delayed?

What is the most punctual flight time for Des Moines to San Francisco flights?

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Which airport is the most popular layover for flights between Des Moines and San Francisco?

Which layover airport offers the lowest fares from Des Moines to San Francisco?

Which layover airport has the shortest travel time from Des Moines to San Francisco?

Which layover airport has the shortest connection time from Des Moines to San Francisco?

When to book flights from Des Moines to San Francisco

Cheap Des Moines to San Francisco (DSM to SFO) flight deals and tips

Best Price Found

Fastest flight time

Direct flights

Frequently asked questions about flying from Des Moines to San Francisco

Best airlines flying from Des Moines to San Francisco

Compare and see reviews for airlines that fly from Des Moines to San Francisco with momondo

Traveling to a place near San Francisco?

Why use momondo?

An easier way to manage your San Francisco trip

We make it super easy to schedule, organize and travel with friends or family. Trips is free — and available to use no matter where you book.

Get notified when prices go down

Daily price changes in your inbox - only with Price Alerts.

Find better results for your trip to the United States

Airports servicing California

Fly your favorite airline to San Francisco

Airlines are sorted and displayed according to clicks in the past 7 days on momondo

Cabin classes currently available on flights to San Francisco

List of cabin classes available on flights landing in San Francisco. Availability may vary depending on flight origin and airline.

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