$130 Cheap Flights from Des Moines (DSM) to Orange County (SNA)

Popular airlines from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to John Wayne Airport (SNA)

Cheap Flights from Des Moines to Orange County (DSM-SNA)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $130 for one-way flights and $172 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

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

Find the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Santa Ana (SNA)

August is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $225 - $686 per traveler.

Alternative airports near Santa Ana

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

Flights from Des Moines (DSM) to Orange County (SNA)
Origin airport
Des Moines Intl.
Destination airport
John Wayne
Airlines serving
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$172
Distance
1425 mi
Average flight time
3 hours 47 mins

Des Moines to Orange County Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Des Moines to Orange County

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 Orange County are during the month of November. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Des Moines to Orange County with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Des Moines to Orange County

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Des Moines to Orange County: 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 Orange County

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 Orange County in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $130 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 Orange County 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 Orange County 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 John Wayne Airport (SNA) cost?
Snag a cheap one-way flight from $130 or cheap return flight from $172 from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to John Wayne Airport (SNA) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to see our cheapest flight deals on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to John Wayne Airport (SNA)?
November is the cheapest month to fly from DSM to SNA. Traveling outside of peak seasons is often the key to finding a great deal.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to John Wayne Airport (SNA)?
Expedia's filter tool lets you easily compare different airlines, departure times and fares all in one place. Select your preferences, then sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to find the carrier with the cheapest DSM to SNA flight.
How many flights per day from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to John Wayne Airport (SNA)?
On average, Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) offers 2 nonstop flights to John Wayne Airport (SNA) every week. For more choice, take advantage of Expedia's filter tool to find flights with layovers. Fit in a quick visit to another location or just break up your journey.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to John Wayne Airport (SNA)?
Flights between DSM and SNA are their busiest at 6 AM. If you'd like a quieter trip and potentially cheaper fares, choose a time outside the usual busy windows.
What day of the week has the most flights from DSM to SNA?
Thursday has the most flights from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to John Wayne Airport (SNA). Consider taking off on this day and you'll have the best chance of finding a departure that fits your itinerary.
What is the earliest flight from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to John Wayne Airport (SNA)?
Hop on the earliest flight at around 6:30AM UTC-6, heading out of Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM). You'll be flying for roughly 3h 55m, coming in to land at John Wayne Airport (SNA) at approximately 8:25AM UTC-8.
How long does it take to fly from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to John Wayne Airport (SNA)?
Flights from DSM to SNA have an average travel time of 3 hours and 55 minutes. The total distance between these two airports is 1,450 mi.
What is the best time to fly from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to John Wayne Airport (SNA)?
To touch down at John Wayne Airport (SNA) without delays, book a flight that takes off from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) before 3 PM. The likelihood of cancellations is 22% higher, on average, for departures after this time.**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.
What airports do you fly into for Santa Ana from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
John Wayne Airport (SNA) is the only airport in Santa Ana with direct flights from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM). Browse the options and find cheap fares on Expedia.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to John Wayne Airport (SNA) last-minute?
Booking your flight from DSM to SNA shortly before your trip is generally more expensive. However, if you're flexible with your itinerary, you could score a cheap last-minute fare.
Is it cheaper to book a DSM to SNA flight and hotel package?
Opting for a DSM to SNA flight and hotel package tends to be cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the convenience of organizing your travels all in one place. Select from our extensive range of hotels and then add flights, activities and car rentals to your booking. Bundle it all together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to John Wayne Airport (SNA)?
If you booked your DSM to SNA flight in the last 24 hours, you may be able to modify or cancel it at no cost. Depending on the airline and the type of ticket you purchased, additional charges may apply for changes beyond this timeframe. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, go to our Customer Service portal if you'd like more information.

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*Available to One Key members.