Direct flights from Des Moines to Washington DSM → DCA

American Airlines flies nonstop from Des Moines (DSM) to Washington (DCA). The flight takes about 2h 21m and covers 895 miles (1,440 km). Round-trip fares typically run around $417. Arrivals run on time 74.5% at DSM and 70.5% at DCA — BTS data for the last three months, counting arrivals within 15 minutes of schedule. Fares last checked 17 August 2026.

60-day flexibility overview based on 8 recent fares across the next 60 days

Cheapest
$377
Typical
$417
Most expensive
$457

What flexibility is worth here

Flying in October rather than November typically saves $20 on DSM → DCA.

  • Oct 2026 $397
  • Nov 2026 $417

Typical round-trip fare by departure month, across the 2 months we currently track.

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Prices last updated 13 days ago. Fares change frequently — check the airline for current pricing.

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American Airlines AA

Nonstop departures observed in recent fares

Across 8 recent dates we priced, Des Moines (DSM) to Washington (DCA) showed up to 1 nonstop departure a day, with the earliest around 05:57 and the latest around 07:07, operated by American.

05:57 06:00 06:01 07:07

Departure times seen while pricing this route over the last few weeks — a sample, not the full timetable. Airlines adjust schedules seasonally.

More nonstops from Des Moines

DSM → PIE Pinellas Park DSM → PDX Portland DSM → BUR Burbank DSM → PHL Philadelphia 2 airlines DSM → DEN Denver 3 airlines DSM → AUS Austin DSM → AZA Mesa DSM → BOS Boston

Frequently asked questions

Is there a direct flight from Des Moines to Washington?

Yes, American Airlines operates nonstop flights from Des Moines (DSM) to Washington (DCA).

Which airlines fly direct from Des Moines to Washington?

American Airlines operates nonstop flights from Des Moines to Washington.

How long is the flight from Des Moines to Washington?

The nonstop flight from Des Moines to Washington takes ~2h 21m (approximately 1440 km).

What is the on-time performance for flights from Des Moines to Washington?

Arrivals run on time 74.5% at DSM and 70.5% at DCA — BTS data for the last three months, counting arrivals within 15 minutes of schedule.

How much is a round-trip flight from Des Moines to Washington?

Round-trip flights from Des Moines (DSM) to Washington (DCA) start at $377, with a typical fare around $417. Based on 8 recent fare combinations.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines to Washington?

Across the 2 departure months we currently track, October 2026 is the cheapest month to fly round trip from Des Moines to Washington, with typical fares around $397 — versus about $417 in November 2026, the most expensive.

Explore More

DSM All direct flights from Des Moines DCA All direct flights from Washington DCA → DSM Return: Washington to Des Moines

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