United States · 894 miles (1,439 km)

Des Moines (DSM) to Washington (DCA) flights

American AAdvantage logo
5,500 milesCheapest economy award, one way, with American AAdvantage

An economy award from Des Moines (DSM) to Washington (DCA) starts at 5,500 miles one way with American AAdvantage on American Airlines, plus taxes and fees from $5.60. One airline flies nonstop from Des Moines (DSM) to Washington (DCA): 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.

How many miles DSM to DCA costs

Economy, one way, on the nonstop flights, from the Award Flight Pricer's award charts. Ranges run off-peak to peak; "from" is the floor of a dynamic price.

ProgramEconomyTaxes and fees
American AAdvantageOn American Airlines5,500$5.60
Alaska Atmos RewardsOn American Airlines7,500$25.60
Iberia ClubOn American Airlines9,000$5.60
Etihad GuestOn American Airlines12,000$5.60
JAL Mileage BankOn American Airlines12,000$5.60
Qatar Airways Privilege ClubOn American Airlines13,000$5.60
Qantas Frequent FlyerOn American Airlines13,800$5.60
Cathay Pacific Asia MilesOn American Airlines15,000$5.60
British Airways ClubOn American Airlines16,000$5.60
Finnair PlusOn American Airlines16,500$5.60

Business and first class prices are in the Award Flight Pricer. Chart prices need award space on your date, so search it before you transfer points.

Compare every program in the Award Flight Pricer

Airlines flying nonstop from DSM to DCA

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

Book DSM to DCA with points

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

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

DSM to DCA: common questions

How many miles does DSM to DCA cost?

In economy it starts at 5,500 miles one way with American AAdvantage on American Airlines, plus taxes and fees from $5.60. Next cheapest: Alaska Atmos Rewards (7,500), Iberia Club (9,000) and Etihad Guest (12,000). These are award chart prices from the Award Flight Pricer. Programs that price dynamically can cost more on busy dates, so check yours before you transfer points. Business and first class prices are in the pricer too.

Which airlines fly nonstop from DSM to DCA?

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

How far is Des Moines from Washington by plane?

Des Moines (DSM) and Washington (DCA) 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 DSM to DCA 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.

Where can I connect between Des Moines and Washington?

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.