Airports / Iowa / DSM
Des Moines International Airport
KDSM / DSMDes Moines, IowaELEV 958 FT
Google rating
Google reviews
Field elevation
Nearest alternate
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).
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.
What fliers highlight
Easy in & out
4/5 reviews“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
Terminal & facilities
4/5 reviews“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
Staff & service
4/5 reviews“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 64% of the 47 Iowa fields on the register.
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
From the ramp
Google Places photography of Des Moines International Airport — tap any frame to view full-screen, then cycle with the arrows or your keyboard.