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PHL to DSM: distance & flight time
Philadelphia (Philadelphia International Airport) → Des Moines (Des Moines International Airport)
970 mi
1,561 km · 843 nm
2h 35m
estimated nonstop flight time
-1h
time difference · heading west
See live PHL→DSM fares Phone-only fares on this route — call free
Flight time details
970 miles nonstop takes roughly 2h 35m gate to gate, flying west. Add 45–90 minutes per connection if there's no nonstop service. Remember to factor the 1-hour time set-back when reading arrival times on your ticket.
The two airports
- PHL — Philadelphia International Airport · Philadelphia, United States
- DSM — Des Moines International Airport · Des Moines, United States
Distances are great-circle ("as the crow flies") — the same basis airlines use for frequent-flyer miles.
Alternate airports can cut this fare
Flying from or into a nearby airport is the #1 trick our agents use to beat online prices. Call and we'll compare every combination on one call.
Near PHL
- BBX · Wings Field18 mi away
- PNE · Northeast Philadelphia Airport19 mi away
- LLY · South Jersey Regional Airport22 mi away
- NXX · Willow Grove Naval Air Station/Joint Reserve Base23 mi away
Near DSM
- OTM · Ottumwa Regional Airport70 mi away
- FOD · Fort Dodge Regional Airport75 mi away
- ALO · Waterloo Regional Airport96 mi away
- CID · The Eastern Iowa Airport104 mi away
Frequently asked questions
How far is PHL from DSM?
The flight distance from Philadelphia (PHL) to Des Moines (DSM) is 970 miles (1,561 km, 843 nautical miles), measured along the great-circle route airlines actually fly.
How long is the flight from PHL to DSM?
A nonstop flight takes about 2h 35m gate to gate. Actual time varies with winds, routing and season — eastbound transatlantic flights, for example, are usually faster than the return.
What is the time difference between Philadelphia and Des Moines?
Des Moines is 1 hour behind Philadelphia.
What is the cheapest way to fly from PHL to DSM?
Compare live fares online, then call CheapoTrav — our agents have unpublished consolidator fares on PHL–DSM that never appear on search engines, with no booking fees.