$74 Cheap Flights from Des Moines (DSM) to Philadelphia (PHL)

Popular airlines from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Philadelphia Intl. Airport (PHL)

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Cheap Flights from Des Moines to Philadelphia (DSM-PHL)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $74 for one-way flights and $147 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Delta
American Airlines
United
Frontier Airlines

Find the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Philadelphia (PHL)

November is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $128 - $487 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Alternative airports near Philadelphia

Prices were available within the past 7 days. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Flights from Des Moines (DSM) to Philadelphia (PHL)
Origin airport
Des Moines Intl.
Destination airport
Philadelphia Intl.
Airlines serving
American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$147
Distance
968 mi
Average flight time
3 hours 38 mins

Des Moines to Philadelphia Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Des Moines to Philadelphia

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Des Moines to Philadelphia are during the month of August. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Des Moines to Philadelphia with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Des Moines to Philadelphia

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Des Moines to Philadelphia: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Des Moines to Philadelphia

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Des Moines to Philadelphia in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $74 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Des Moines to Philadelphia flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Des Moines to Philadelphia airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Philadelphia Intl. Airport (PHL) cost?
Book cheap return flights starting from $225 from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Philadelphia Intl. Airport (PHL). This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a American Airlines flight leaving DSM on July 29 2025 and touching down at PHL. The price was last updated on July 10 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from DSM to PHL?
The cheapest flights from DSM to PHL are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from DSM to PHL?
Right now, the cheapest airline operating one-way flights from DSM to PHL is American Airlines. You can book a seat on this route from $173. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from DSM on September 6 2025. Prices were last updated on July 10 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Philadelphia Intl. Airport (PHL)?
You'll have to book a flight with a layover when traveling from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Philadelphia Intl. Airport (PHL). There are no daily direct flights on this route. However, simply filter your search to include one or more stops to discover the best option for your trip.
What day of the week has the most flights from DSM to PHL?
Generally you'll find the greatest selection of flight options on a Friday. Tuesdays are often the quietest.* But this can change depending on the airline, time of year and other factors.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What airline has the least delays from DSM to PHL?
With 89% of flights generally arriving on time, American Airlines has the best on-time performance for nonstop flights from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Philadelphia Intl. Airport (PHL). To keep track of your flight status and get notified about any changes, use the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Philadelphia Intl. Airport (PHL)?
Opt for a flight from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Philadelphia Intl. Airport (PHL) that takes off before 3 PM to reduce the risk of delays and cancellations. Departures later than this have a 22% higher chance of being canceled, on average.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Philadelphia Intl. Airport (PHL) last-minute?
Last-minute fares from DSM to PHL are generally more expensive. To secure the lowest rates, start looking for flights well in advance. That being said, if your travel plans are flexible, you may find a cheap ticket just before your departure.
Is it cheaper to book a DSM to PHL flight and hotel package?
Compared with arranging hotels and flights separately, booking a DSM to PHL flight and hotel package with Expedia could lead to significant savings. What's more, managing everything in one place will take the stress out of planning your trip. Just secure your flights and select from our extensive range of stays, then customize your trip with extras like tours and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Philadelphia Intl. Airport (PHL)?
In most instances, you can cancel or reschedule your DSM to PHL flight. However, additional charges may apply, especially if you made your booking more than 24 hours ago. Check your itinerary for the airline's fees and guidelines on flight changes, or if you need further details, go to our Customer Service portal.

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*Available to One Key members.