Washington to Des Moines (DCA–DSM) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
DCA–DSM is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. American Airlines and Alaska Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 895 miles in approximately 2h 39m. Beyond nonstop, 31 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA American Airlines | 15 | CR7, CR9, E75 | 2h39-2h57 | Oneworld | – | |
| AS Alaska Airlines | 7 | CR9 | 2h55 | Oneworld | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Other ways to reach Des Moines from Washington
| Metric | DCA→DSM | BWI→DSM | LNS→DSM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from DCA | – | 30 mi | 96 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 22 | 1 | 1 |
| Flight time | 2h 39m | 2h 12m | 2h 17m |
| Departure OTP | 92% | – | – |
Travel Essentials
DCA: EDT · DSM: CDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Washington, it's 5:00 PM in Des Moines.
The DC Metro (Yellow and Blue lines) connects the airport directly to downtown Washington in 15–25 minutes from most central stations ($2.25–$3.85 depending on distance and time of day). The Reagan National Airport station is inside the terminal complex with a direct indoor walkway. Metro runs from about 05:00 to midnight Sunday–Thursday, and until 01:00 on Friday–Saturday.Taxis and Uber/Lyft from the city centre cost $15–30 depending on destination and traffic. DCA is one of the most transit-accessible major US airports. Driving is straightforward via the George Washington Memorial Parkway; short-term parking at the terminal costs from $5 for 20 minutes. No personal vehicles are allowed to idle at arrivals; use the cell-phone lot or commercial pick-up zones.
DCA–DSM Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from DCA to DSM
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Des Moines International Airport (DSM) are connected by nonstop service from American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. With 22 weekly departures, this is a well served route.
DCA to DSM Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from DCA to DSM ranges from 2 hours 39 minutes to 2 hours 57 minutes. The route covers a distance of 895 miles (1,440 km). There are approximately 22 weekly flights outbound and 16 return, totaling 38 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
31 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 4 hours via CLE. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Baltimore (BWI) and Lancaster (LNS).