$99 Cheap Flights from Chicago (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM)

Popular airlines from Chicago O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

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Cheap Flights from Chicago to Des Moines (ORD-DSM)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $99 for one-way flights and $168 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

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

Find the cheapest month to fly from Chicago (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM)

October is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $138 - $308 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Alternative airports near Des Moines

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

Flights from Chicago (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM)
Origin airport
O'Hare Intl.
Destination airport
Des Moines Intl.
Airlines serving
American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$168
Distance
297 mi
Average flight time
1 hour 26 mins

Chicago to Des Moines Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Chicago to Des Moines

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

 

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

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

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 Chicago to Des Moines in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $99 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 Chicago to Des Moines 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 Chicago to Des Moines 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 O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) cost?
Get a cheap one-way flight from $99 or cheap return flight from $168 from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to find our cheapest flight deals on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
The cheapest month to fly from ORD to DSM is September, when demand is low. Off-peak season is usually when you'll find cheap fares for travel between these airports.
Which airlines fly direct from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
When heading out of O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD), you can board a nonstop flight to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) with United Airlines.
How many flights per day from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
With, on average, 7 nonstop flights departing from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) each day, you'll be cruising above the clouds before you know it.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
The 1 PM departures from ORD to DSM are the most sought after. They can also be more expensive. If you're hoping to save money, book during off-peak hours.
What day of the week has the most flights from ORD to DSM?
If you fly on a Friday, you'll get the widest range of choices for flights from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM).
What is the earliest flight from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)'s first flight to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) departs at approximately 9:00AM UTC-6. With a total flight time of 1h 38m, you'll touch down at around 10:38AM UTC-6.
How long does it take to fly from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
The average flight duration from ORD to DSM is 1 hour and 32 minutes, covering a total distance of 300 mi.
What airline has the least delays from ORD to DSM?
Alaska Airlines has the best track record for on-time direct flights from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM), with an on-time score of 90%. Use the Expedia App to look up your flight schedule before you take off and get real-time alerts about any changes.
What is the best time to fly from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
To avoid potential delays on the O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) route, travel before 3 PM. Later flights have a 22% higher chance of cancellation.**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 Des Moines from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
Compare your flight options from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM). This is the only airport in Des Moines you can fly into if you're taking a direct flight.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) last-minute?
Last-minute bookings from ORD to DSM are usually more expensive. To secure the cheapest rates, start looking for flights as early as possible. That being said, if you can play around with your travel dates, you may find a cheap fare just before your departure.
Is it cheaper to book an ORD to DSM flight and hotel package?
Compared with arranging flights and hotels separately, booking an ORD to DSM flight and hotel package with Expedia could lead to significant savings. Better yet, having everything in one easy place takes the hassle out of travel planning. Just secure your flights and choose from our wide range of stays, then personalize your trip with other add-ons like car rentals and activities.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
If you booked your ORD to DSM flight within 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 want more information.

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