United States · 894 miles (1,439 km)

Washington (DCA) to Des Moines (DSM) flights

One airline flies nonstop from Washington (DCA) to Des Moines (DSM): American Airlines. The two airports are 894 miles (1,439 km) apart. American Airlines is in oneworld. There are also 13 ways to fly it with one stop, through Chicago, Chicago and Detroit and more.

Airlines flying nonstop from DCA to DSM

  • American Airlines logo
    American Airlinesoneworld · bookable with 9 programsWho books it

Book DCA to DSM with points

Loyalty programs that can book at least one of the nonstop airlines, from the Award Booking Guide.

DCA to DSM with one stop

13 connections, most direct first. 2-stop routings and flight times are in Routes with Pro.

  • Via Chicago (MDW)Southwest Airlines the whole way
    Southwest Airlines logo
    Southwest Airlines logo
  • Via Chicago (ORD)American Airlines and United Airlines the whole way
    American Airlines logo
    United Airlines logo
    American Airlines logo
    United Airlines logo
  • Via Detroit (DTW)Delta Air Lines the whole way
    American Airlines logo
    Delta Air Lines logo
    Delta Air Lines logo
  • Via Nashville (BNA)Southwest Airlines the whole way
    American Airlines logo
    Southwest Airlines logo
    Delta Air Lines logo
    Allegiant Air logo
    Southwest Airlines logo
  • Via Philadelphia (PHL)American Airlines the whole way
    American Airlines logo
    American Airlines logo
    Allegiant Air logo
  • Via Charlotte (CLT)American Airlines the whole way
    American Airlines logo
    American Airlines logo
  • Via Minneapolis (MSP)Delta Air Lines the whole way
    American Airlines logo
    Delta Air Lines logo
    Delta Air Lines logo
  • Via New York (EWR)United Airlines, then Allegiant Air
    United Airlines logo
    Allegiant Air logo
  • Via New York (LGA)American Airlines and Delta Air Lines the whole way
    American Airlines logo
    Delta Air Lines logo
    Delta Air Lines logo
    American Airlines logo
  • Via Atlanta (ATL)Delta Air Lines the whole way
    American Airlines logo
    Delta Air Lines logo
    Southwest Airlines logo
    Delta Air Lines logo
  • Via Boston (BOS)American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and 1 more, then Allegiant Air
    American Airlines logo
    JetBlue Airways logo
    Delta Air Lines logo
    Allegiant Air logo
  • Via Fort Walton Beach (VPS)American Airlines, then Allegiant Air
    American Airlines logo
    Allegiant Air logo
  • Via Dallas (DFW)American Airlines the whole way
    American Airlines logo
    American Airlines logo

DCA to DSM: common questions

Which airlines fly nonstop from DCA to DSM?

American Airlines (oneworld) flies nonstop from Washington (DCA) to Des Moines (DSM).

How far is Washington from Des Moines by plane?

Washington (DCA) and Des Moines (DSM) are 894 miles (1,439 km) apart along the great circle, the shortest path a flight can take. Connections add distance on top.

Which points programs can book DCA to DSM award flights?

9 programs can book at least one of the nonstop airlines: Alaska Atmos Rewards, American AAdvantage, British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Finnair Plus, Iberia Club, JAL Mileage Bank, Qantas Frequent Flyer and 1 more. Which flights each can book depends on its partners, so check the airline before you transfer points.

How many miles does DCA to DSM cost?

It depends on the program: each prices the route from its own chart or dynamically. The Award Flight Pricer compares 30+ programs for DCA to DSM with taxes and fees.

Where can I connect between Washington and Des Moines?

The most direct connections are through Chicago (MDW), Chicago (ORD), Detroit (DTW), Nashville (BNA) and Philadelphia (PHL). On 10 of them the same airline flies both flights, for example Southwest Airlines through Chicago.

More routes

Routes are scheduled nonstop flights. The route data is refreshed monthly; this list was last checked November 11, 2026. Seasonal routes and new launches can be missing or end early, so confirm with the airline before you book. Distances are great-circle, the shortest path between the two airports.