3/ 5 reviews
Easy in & out
“Check-in and security were efficient, the terminal was clean and well laid out, and the signage made it simple to get around.”
Eddie F.5★ on Google
Airports / Iowa / DSM
Large airport · DSM
Des Moines International Airport.
Des Moines, Iowa · 958 ft elevation. A private-aviation gateway on the Bravo register.
4.3/5
Google rating
3,175 ratings
0
Operators based
958
Elevation ft
Scheduled service
Des Moines, IowaELEV 958 FTLarge airportScheduled service
4.3
Google rating
3,175
Google reviews
ratings on Google
2
FBOs on field
ramp, fuel and handling
958
Field elevation
feet above sea level
60
Nearest alternate
nm to OTM
Field standing
60 nm
To the nearest alternate
Ottumwa Regional Airport (OTM).
Overview
Des Moines International Airport (KDSM / DSM) sits in Des Moines, Iowa, where it functions as a large commercial airport. The airport sits 958 feet above sea level. Alongside scheduled airline service, the airport handles a steady flow of private and charter traffic.
No charter operator is headquartered on the field, but operators routinely position aircraft into DSM for departures. When weather or ramp space demands it, nearby options are Ottumwa Regional Airport (OTM, 60 nm), Fort Dodge Regional Airport (FOD, 66 nm), and Waterloo Regional Airport (ALO, 83 nm). With 2 runways, the longest 9,004-foot paved runway, DSM can typically accommodate aircraft as large as VIP airliners.
Charter pricing from DSM depends on aircraft category, positioning distance, and trip timing. Compare rated operators or run a route through the cost estimator to gauge pricing from Des Moines.
2 FBOs serve KDSM. Run one? Become the preferred FBO
Ramp services
FBOs on the field
Modern Aviation Des Moines
Your FBO? Claim it, freeSam Elliott, General Manager selliott@modern-aviation.com Modern Aviation Des Moines is just minutes from the downtown area and many other attractions of the city. Visit wild animals at the Blank Park Zoo or play a round of golf at the many surrounding gold courses in the area.
- Fuel
- Hangar
- 24/7
- Unicom 130.57
- Executive lounge
- Conference room
- Wi-Fi
- Vending
- Courtesy car
- Shuttle
- Car rental
- Restrooms
- +14 more
- Phone
- Website
- Address
Signature Flight Support Des Moines
Your FBO? Claim it, freeAs Iowa's capital city, Des Moines is a hub of government action, business activity, arts and cultural affairs. With a City population approaching 200,000 and a metro population of nearly 500,000, Des Moines offers some of the nation's best schools, superb public services, and friendly, caring neighborhoods.
- Fuel
- Hangar
- 24/7
- Unicom 131.00
- Customs
- Conference room
- Wi-Fi
- Cafe
- Vending
- Courtesy car
- Shuttle
- Car rental
- +22 more
- Phone
- Website
- Address
Directory data, unpaid. FBOs can take the Preferred slot above.
What fliers highlight.
From the stored review texts
3/ 5 reviews
Terminal & facilities
“Check-in and security were efficient, the terminal was clean and well laid out, and the signage made it simple to get around.”
Eddie F.5★ on Google
3/ 5 reviews
Staff & service
“Staff were friendly and helpful, and everything felt organized from curb to gate.”
Eddie F.5★ on Google
Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for Des Moines International Airport, every quote is verbatim from a real review.
Field capability
ICAO
KDSM
IATA
DSM
FAA / Local
DSM
Elevation
958 ft
Coordinates
41.5340° N · 93.6567° W
Airspace
C · CharlieClass C, CharlieRadar-controlled airspace around mid-size hubs. Aircraft must be in two-way radio contact and squawking a transponder while approach control sequences arrivals.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Large
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs IA fields
state range 547–1,488 ft
At 958 ft, DSM sits lower than 67% of the 60 Iowa fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
2 runways
longest 9,004 ft
- 5/239,004 ft × 150 ftConcreteLighted
- 13/319,001 ft × 150 ftAsphaltLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 9,004 ft
DSM's 9,004 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
- Turboprop3,000 ft
- Light Jet3,500 ft
- Midsize Jet4,500 ft
- Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
- Heavy Jet5,500 ft
- VIP Airliner6,000 ft
Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 60nmOTMOttumwa Regional AirportOttumwa
- 66nmFODFort Dodge Regional AirportFort Dodge
- 83nmALOWaterloo Regional AirportWaterloo
- 90nmCIDThe Eastern Iowa AirportCedar Rapids
- 99nmMCWMason City Municipal AirportMason City
- 100nmIRKKirksville Regional AirportKirksville
Location
Open the full mapKDSM · Des Moines International Airport · Des Moines, IA
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from DSM on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago (ORD) | 259 nm | 1h 0m |
| Nashville (BNA) | 460 nm | 1h 28m |
| Denver (DEN) | 511 nm | 1h 35m |
| Dallas (DAL) | 543 nm | 1h 40m |
| Vail / Eagle (EGE) | 615 nm | 1h 50m |
| Aspen (ASE) | 619 nm | 1h 50m |
| Austin (AUS) | 708 nm | 2h 3m |
| Houston (HOU) | 718 nm | 2h 4m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use DSM?
- Des Moines International Airport's longest paved runway is 9,004 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
- What is the longest runway at DSM?
- Des Moines International Airport has 2 runways; the longest measures 9,004 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- Which FBOs are at Des Moines International Airport?
- 2 FBOs serve DSM: Modern Aviation Des Moines and Signature Flight Support Des Moines. Phone, website, hours, unicom and services for each are listed on this page. Call ahead for fuel, ramp space, and ground handling.
- What is the nearest major airport to DSM?
- The closest alternate is Ottumwa Regional Airport (OTM), about 60 nm away, followed by Fort Dodge Regional Airport (FOD) at 66 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from DSM to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Chicago about 1h 0m (259 nm), Nashville about 1h 28m (460 nm), Denver about 1h 35m (511 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.