DSMKDSMMinor

Des Moines International Airport

Des Moines, United States · North America

Iowa’s capital field put 3.25 million passengers through one TSA and 13 gates in 2025: easy when the 5 a.m. bank is quiet, no lounge, and the city bus no longer comes to the curb.

Airportist Score

6.9/ 10

Solid

Ease of use8.5
Comfort & amenities7.3
Food & retail7.3
Ground access6.6
Reliability6.8
Lounges2.0

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare DSM with another airport

All airports Official site

DSMKDSMMinor

Des Moines International Airport

Des Moines, United States · North America

Iowa’s capital field put 3.25 million passengers through one TSA and 13 gates in 2025: easy when the 5 a.m. bank is quiet, no lounge, and the city bus no longer comes to the curb.

Airportist Score

6.9/ 10

Solid

Ease of use8.5
Comfort & amenities7.3
Food & retail7.3
Ground access6.6
Reliability6.8
Lounges2.0

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare DSM with another airport

All airports

DSMKDSMMinor16°C / 61°F

Des Moines International Airport

Des Moines, United States · North America

Iowa’s capital field put 3.25 million passengers through one TSA and 13 gates in 2025: easy when the 5 a.m. bank is quiet, no lounge, and the city bus no longer comes to the curb.

Airportist Score

6.9/ 10

Solid

Ease of use8.5
Comfort & amenities7.3
Food & retail7.3
Ground access6.6
Reliability6.8
Lounges2.0

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare DSM with another airport

5 photos

Landside curb and skybridge at Des Moines International Airport on a wet day, with taxis waiting.

Interior lobby seating and a shop bay at Des Moines International Airport.

April 2012 aerial of Des Moines International Airport looking across the civil terminal and runways.

April 2012 aerial of the Des Moines International Airport campus from a second angle.

Delta Connection CRJ-900 parked at a Des Moines International Airport jetbridge.

DSMGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Checkpoint opens 03:45 — budget the official 90 minutes to 2 hours

TSA opens at 3:45 a.m. and stays open until the last departure. Official arrive is 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Quick Facts: busiest hour is 5 a.m., busiest weekday Friday. Holiday copy asks for extra ticketing time. There is no official live wait tile. PreCheck is real; official pages do not print PreCheck lane hours.

Layout

One TSA, then A1–A5 left and C1–C7 right

After screening you walk Concourse A or Concourse C on the same sterile side — wrong gate is a walk, not a reclear.

Southwest’s ticket counter is the south end near bag claim; everyone else is north. Allegiant has no lobby kiosk. Official pages do not print a gate-by-airline card — confirm the FIDS.

Food

Seven kitchens, none of them a lounge

Portermill, Arugula & Rye, and Friedrichs sit just after TSA. Coffee & Bar / A Bar cover the far gates.

Berk & Chesters is landside and prints a limited menu; Saturday close is 15:30. Official amenities still say “three full-service restaurants” — trust the seven-name dining card.

Status

The new terminal is January 2027 — you are still in the 1948 building

LiftDSM Phase 1A is on track for January 2027. Today’s 13 gates and one checkpoint are still the live product.

Homepage says six new gates on the existing 13; the LiftDSM page says seven on the existing 12. Cite both. Phase 1B East (four more gates) is 2028–29. TSA Gold+ is only “exploring” — not live.

Live conditions

Right now at DSM

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Iowa trips that already picked one of the six live airlines
Drivers using EZ-PICKUP or the $7 Red / $8 Grey economy lots
Travelers who will eat at Portermill or Friedrichs after the single checkpoint

Watch out for

No passenger lounge and no Priority Pass
DART’s June 2026 network dropped the terminal — official Route 8 copy is leftover
Uber/Lyft pickup is in the garage, not at the curb
The new terminal is January 2027; you are still in the 1948/1970 building

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

8.5

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

7.3

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

7.3

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

6.6

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

6.8

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

2.0

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

3.25 million (CY 2025 official)

Terminals

1 terminal, 2 concourses (A1–A5 / C1–C7), 1 TSA

On-time departures

74%

Typical security

12 min

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for DSM.

Updated Sep 12, 2026

Official 13 Jan 2026 recap / 2026 Quick Facts PDF: CY 2025 **3,254,107** passengers (+2.4% vs official 2024 **3,176,952**). Third straight year over 3 million. June 2025 **316,703** (busiest month); 1 Dec 2025 **7,155** (busiest day). FAA prelim CY 2025 enplanements **1,596,784** (rank 85, +2.66% vs 1,555,454) is a different extract — do not mix.
One civil campus at **5800 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321**. Owner / operator **Des Moines Airport Authority**. CEO / AirNav manager **Brian Mulcahy**. Admin / lost-and-found **515-256-5100** / **airinfo@dsmairport.com**. Parking SP+ **515-256-5038**. Wheelchair G2 **515-256-5500**. Conference / board **Mary Benson, 515-256-5100 / msbenson@dsmairport.com**. Board: 2nd Tuesday 09:00 CT.
Official airline-information page (12 Sep 2026), **six** names: **Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, United**. Homepage **35** nonstops vs **34** named destination cards plus a live **Atlanta (ATL)** Delta card — use the named list. **STL ended 4 Mar 2026** (Southwest). **Do not add Spirit / Avelo / Sun Country / Air Canada**.
**One TSA** (official security/dining/amenities all say “the checkpoint”), then **Concourse A (A1–A5)** and **Concourse C (C1–C7)** on the same sterile side. Checkpoint **03:45 until the last departure**. Official arrive **90 minutes to 2 hours**. **No CLEAR** on official pages. **No passenger lounge.** Live Priority Pass USA (12 Sep 2026) does **not** include DSM.
`lib/airports.json`: IATA **DSM**, ICAO **KDSM**, 41.534066, −93.660948, America/Chicago. AirNav elev **957.9 ft**, 3 mi SW; 41.5339728, −93.6630722. RWY **5/23 9,004×150**, **13/31 9,001×150**. Iowa ANG **132nd Wing** sits on the field. **Do not create a second airport for KDSM or an ANGB page.** **Do not merge CID (Eastern Iowa / Cedar Rapids).**
No scheduled international passenger airline. Official 2025 recap’s Aer Lingus Dublin trip was an **Iowa State charter**, not a published card. AirNav / CBP: user-fee landing-rights for GA — CBP sheet **Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00**, AirNav **Mon–Fri 08:30–17:00**, weekend/night by appointment. Cite both. **Do not invent GE kiosks at the checkpoint.**

21 official sources

Full guide

Explore the DSM guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Alternatives

Nearby airports

Passenger airports within about 150 km. Scored airports show their Airportist Score so you can weigh a switch.

All airports Official site

DSMKDSMMinor16°C / 61°F

Des Moines International Airport

Des Moines, United States · North America

Iowa’s capital field put 3.25 million passengers through one TSA and 13 gates in 2025: easy when the 5 a.m. bank is quiet, no lounge, and the city bus no longer comes to the curb.

Airportist Score

6.9/ 10

Solid

Ease of use8.5
Comfort & amenities7.3
Food & retail7.3
Ground access6.6
Reliability6.8
Lounges2.0

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare DSM with another airport

DSMGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Checkpoint opens 03:45 — budget the official 90 minutes to 2 hours

TSA opens at 3:45 a.m. and stays open until the last departure. Official arrive is 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Layout

One TSA, then A1–A5 left and C1–C7 right

After screening you walk Concourse A or Concourse C on the same sterile side — wrong gate is a walk, not a reclear.

Southwest’s ticket counter is the south end near bag claim; everyone else is north. Allegiant has no lobby kiosk. Official pages do not print a gate-by-airline card — confirm the FIDS.

Food

Seven kitchens, none of them a lounge

Portermill, Arugula & Rye, and Friedrichs sit just after TSA. Coffee & Bar / A Bar cover the far gates.

Berk & Chesters is landside and prints a limited menu; Saturday close is 15:30. Official amenities still say “three full-service restaurants” — trust the seven-name dining card.

Status

The new terminal is January 2027 — you are still in the 1948 building

LiftDSM Phase 1A is on track for January 2027. Today’s 13 gates and one checkpoint are still the live product.

Live conditions

Right now at DSM

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Iowa trips that already picked one of the six live airlines
Drivers using EZ-PICKUP or the $7 Red / $8 Grey economy lots
Travelers who will eat at Portermill or Friedrichs after the single checkpoint

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

8.5

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

7.3

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

7.3

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

6.6

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

6.8

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for DSM.

Updated Sep 12, 2026

Official 13 Jan 2026 recap / 2026 Quick Facts PDF: CY 2025 **3,254,107** passengers (+2.4% vs official 2024 **3,176,952**). Third straight year over 3 million. June 2025 **316,703** (busiest month); 1 Dec 2025 **7,155** (busiest day). FAA prelim CY 2025 enplanements **1,596,784** (rank 85, +2.66% vs 1,555,454) is a different extract — do not mix.

Full guide

Explore the DSM guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Getting There
4 ways into the city, compared on time, cost, and luggage.
Fastest: Uber / LyftCheapest: No live terminal bus
View Getting There

DSMGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Checkpoint opens 03:45 — budget the official 90 minutes to 2 hours

TSA opens at 3:45 a.m. and stays open until the last departure. Official arrive is 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Layout

One TSA, then A1–A5 left and C1–C7 right

After screening you walk Concourse A or Concourse C on the same sterile side — wrong gate is a walk, not a reclear.

Southwest’s ticket counter is the south end near bag claim; everyone else is north. Allegiant has no lobby kiosk. Official pages do not print a gate-by-airline card — confirm the FIDS.

Food

Seven kitchens, none of them a lounge

Portermill, Arugula & Rye, and Friedrichs sit just after TSA. Coffee & Bar / A Bar cover the far gates.

Berk & Chesters is landside and prints a limited menu; Saturday close is 15:30. Official amenities still say “three full-service restaurants” — trust the seven-name dining card.

Status

The new terminal is January 2027 — you are still in the 1948 building

LiftDSM Phase 1A is on track for January 2027. Today’s 13 gates and one checkpoint are still the live product.

Live conditions

Right now at DSM

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Iowa trips that already picked one of the six live airlines
Drivers using EZ-PICKUP or the $7 Red / $8 Grey economy lots
Travelers who will eat at Portermill or Friedrichs after the single checkpoint

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

8.5

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

7.3

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

7.3

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

6.6

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

6.8

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for DSM.

Updated Sep 12, 2026

Official 13 Jan 2026 recap / 2026 Quick Facts PDF: CY 2025 **3,254,107** passengers (+2.4% vs official 2024 **3,176,952**). Third straight year over 3 million. June 2025 **316,703** (busiest month); 1 Dec 2025 **7,155** (busiest day). FAA prelim CY 2025 enplanements **1,596,784** (rank 85, +2.66% vs 1,555,454) is a different extract — do not mix.

Full guide

Explore the DSM guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Getting There
4 ways into the city, compared on time, cost, and luggage.
Fastest: Uber / LyftCheapest: No live terminal bus
View Getting There

DSMGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Checkpoint opens 03:45 — budget the official 90 minutes to 2 hours

TSA opens at 3:45 a.m. and stays open until the last departure. Official arrive is 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Layout

One TSA, then A1–A5 left and C1–C7 right

After screening you walk Concourse A or Concourse C on the same sterile side — wrong gate is a walk, not a reclear.

Southwest’s ticket counter is the south end near bag claim; everyone else is north. Allegiant has no lobby kiosk. Official pages do not print a gate-by-airline card — confirm the FIDS.

Food

Seven kitchens, none of them a lounge

Portermill, Arugula & Rye, and Friedrichs sit just after TSA. Coffee & Bar / A Bar cover the far gates.

Berk & Chesters is landside and prints a limited menu; Saturday close is 15:30. Official amenities still say “three full-service restaurants” — trust the seven-name dining card.

Status

The new terminal is January 2027 — you are still in the 1948 building

LiftDSM Phase 1A is on track for January 2027. Today’s 13 gates and one checkpoint are still the live product.

Live conditions

Right now at DSM

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 03:34 CDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 14, 08:34 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Iowa trips that already picked one of the six live airlines
Drivers using EZ-PICKUP or the $7 Red / $8 Grey economy lots
Travelers who will eat at Portermill or Friedrichs after the single checkpoint

Watch out for

No passenger lounge and no Priority Pass
DART’s June 2026 network dropped the terminal — official Route 8 copy is leftover
Uber/Lyft pickup is in the garage, not at the curb
The new terminal is January 2027; you are still in the 1948/1970 building

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

8.5

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

7.3

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

7.3

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

6.6

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

6.8

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

2.0

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

3.25 million (CY 2025 official)

Terminals

1 terminal, 2 concourses (A1–A5 / C1–C7), 1 TSA

On-time departures

74%

Typical security

12 min

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for DSM.

Updated Sep 12, 2026

Official 13 Jan 2026 recap / 2026 Quick Facts PDF: CY 2025 **3,254,107** passengers (+2.4% vs official 2024 **3,176,952**). Third straight year over 3 million. June 2025 **316,703** (busiest month); 1 Dec 2025 **7,155** (busiest day). FAA prelim CY 2025 enplanements **1,596,784** (rank 85, +2.66% vs 1,555,454) is a different extract — do not mix.
One civil campus at **5800 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321**. Owner / operator **Des Moines Airport Authority**. CEO / AirNav manager **Brian Mulcahy**. Admin / lost-and-found **515-256-5100** / **airinfo@dsmairport.com**. Parking SP+ **515-256-5038**. Wheelchair G2 **515-256-5500**. Conference / board **Mary Benson, 515-256-5100 / msbenson@dsmairport.com**. Board: 2nd Tuesday 09:00 CT.
Official airline-information page (12 Sep 2026), **six** names: **Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, United**. Homepage **35** nonstops vs **34** named destination cards plus a live **Atlanta (ATL)** Delta card — use the named list. **STL ended 4 Mar 2026** (Southwest). **Do not add Spirit / Avelo / Sun Country / Air Canada**.
**One TSA** (official security/dining/amenities all say “the checkpoint”), then **Concourse A (A1–A5)** and **Concourse C (C1–C7)** on the same sterile side. Checkpoint **03:45 until the last departure**. Official arrive **90 minutes to 2 hours**. **No CLEAR** on official pages. **No passenger lounge.** Live Priority Pass USA (12 Sep 2026) does **not** include DSM.
`lib/airports.json`: IATA **DSM**, ICAO **KDSM**, 41.534066, −93.660948, America/Chicago. AirNav elev **957.9 ft**, 3 mi SW; 41.5339728, −93.6630722. RWY **5/23 9,004×150**, **13/31 9,001×150**. Iowa ANG **132nd Wing** sits on the field. **Do not create a second airport for KDSM or an ANGB page.** **Do not merge CID (Eastern Iowa / Cedar Rapids).**
No scheduled international passenger airline. Official 2025 recap’s Aer Lingus Dublin trip was an **Iowa State charter**, not a published card. AirNav / CBP: user-fee landing-rights for GA — CBP sheet **Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00**, AirNav **Mon–Fri 08:30–17:00**, weekend/night by appointment. Cite both. **Do not invent GE kiosks at the checkpoint.**

21 official sources

Full guide

Explore the DSM guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

DSMGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Checkpoint opens 03:45 — budget the official 90 minutes to 2 hours

TSA opens at 3:45 a.m. and stays open until the last departure. Official arrive is 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Layout

One TSA, then A1–A5 left and C1–C7 right

After screening you walk Concourse A or Concourse C on the same sterile side — wrong gate is a walk, not a reclear.

Southwest’s ticket counter is the south end near bag claim; everyone else is north. Allegiant has no lobby kiosk. Official pages do not print a gate-by-airline card — confirm the FIDS.

Food

Seven kitchens, none of them a lounge

Portermill, Arugula & Rye, and Friedrichs sit just after TSA. Coffee & Bar / A Bar cover the far gates.

Berk & Chesters is landside and prints a limited menu; Saturday close is 15:30. Official amenities still say “three full-service restaurants” — trust the seven-name dining card.

Status

The new terminal is January 2027 — you are still in the 1948 building

LiftDSM Phase 1A is on track for January 2027. Today’s 13 gates and one checkpoint are still the live product.

Live conditions

Right now at DSM

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 03:34 CDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 14, 08:34 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Iowa trips that already picked one of the six live airlines
Drivers using EZ-PICKUP or the $7 Red / $8 Grey economy lots
Travelers who will eat at Portermill or Friedrichs after the single checkpoint

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

8.5

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

7.3

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

7.3

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

6.6

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

6.8

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for DSM.

Updated Sep 12, 2026

Official 13 Jan 2026 recap / 2026 Quick Facts PDF: CY 2025 **3,254,107** passengers (+2.4% vs official 2024 **3,176,952**). Third straight year over 3 million. June 2025 **316,703** (busiest month); 1 Dec 2025 **7,155** (busiest day). FAA prelim CY 2025 enplanements **1,596,784** (rank 85, +2.66% vs 1,555,454) is a different extract — do not mix.

Full guide

Explore the DSM guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Getting There
4 ways into the city, compared on time, cost, and luggage.
Fastest: Uber / LyftCheapest: No live terminal bus
View Getting There

No passenger lounge and no Priority Pass
DART’s June 2026 network dropped the terminal — official Route 8 copy is leftover
Uber/Lyft pickup is in the garage, not at the curb
The new terminal is January 2027; you are still in the 1948/1970 building

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

2.0

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

3.25 million (CY 2025 official)

Terminals

1 terminal, 2 concourses (A1–A5 / C1–C7), 1 TSA

On-time departures

74%

Typical security

12 min

One civil campus at **5800 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321**. Owner / operator **Des Moines Airport Authority**. CEO / AirNav manager **Brian Mulcahy**. Admin / lost-and-found **515-256-5100** / **airinfo@dsmairport.com**. Parking SP+ **515-256-5038**. Wheelchair G2 **515-256-5500**. Conference / board **Mary Benson, 515-256-5100 / msbenson@dsmairport.com**. Board: 2nd Tuesday 09:00 CT.

Official airline-information page (12 Sep 2026), **six** names: **Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, United**. Homepage **35** nonstops vs **34** named destination cards plus a live **Atlanta (ATL)** Delta card — use the named list. **STL ended 4 Mar 2026** (Southwest). **Do not add Spirit / Avelo / Sun Country / Air Canada**.

**One TSA** (official security/dining/amenities all say “the checkpoint”), then **Concourse A (A1–A5)** and **Concourse C (C1–C7)** on the same sterile side. Checkpoint **03:45 until the last departure**. Official arrive **90 minutes to 2 hours**. **No CLEAR** on official pages. **No passenger lounge.** Live Priority Pass USA (12 Sep 2026) does **not** include DSM.

`lib/airports.json`: IATA **DSM**, ICAO **KDSM**, 41.534066, −93.660948, America/Chicago. AirNav elev **957.9 ft**, 3 mi SW; 41.5339728, −93.6630722. RWY **5/23 9,004×150**, **13/31 9,001×150**. Iowa ANG **132nd Wing** sits on the field. **Do not create a second airport for KDSM or an ANGB page.** **Do not merge CID (Eastern Iowa / Cedar Rapids).**

No scheduled international passenger airline. Official 2025 recap’s Aer Lingus Dublin trip was an **Iowa State charter**, not a published card. AirNav / CBP: user-fee landing-rights for GA — CBP sheet **Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00**, AirNav **Mon–Fri 08:30–17:00**, weekend/night by appointment. Cite both. **Do not invent GE kiosks at the checkpoint.**

DSMGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Checkpoint opens 03:45 — budget the official 90 minutes to 2 hours

TSA opens at 3:45 a.m. and stays open until the last departure. Official arrive is 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Layout

One TSA, then A1–A5 left and C1–C7 right

After screening you walk Concourse A or Concourse C on the same sterile side — wrong gate is a walk, not a reclear.

Southwest’s ticket counter is the south end near bag claim; everyone else is north. Allegiant has no lobby kiosk. Official pages do not print a gate-by-airline card — confirm the FIDS.

Food

Seven kitchens, none of them a lounge

Portermill, Arugula & Rye, and Friedrichs sit just after TSA. Coffee & Bar / A Bar cover the far gates.

Berk & Chesters is landside and prints a limited menu; Saturday close is 15:30. Official amenities still say “three full-service restaurants” — trust the seven-name dining card.

Status

The new terminal is January 2027 — you are still in the 1948 building

LiftDSM Phase 1A is on track for January 2027. Today’s 13 gates and one checkpoint are still the live product.

Live conditions

Right now at DSM

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Iowa trips that already picked one of the six live airlines
Drivers using EZ-PICKUP or the $7 Red / $8 Grey economy lots
Travelers who will eat at Portermill or Friedrichs after the single checkpoint

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

8.5

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

7.3

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

7.3

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

6.6

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

6.8

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for DSM.

Updated Sep 12, 2026

Official 13 Jan 2026 recap / 2026 Quick Facts PDF: CY 2025 **3,254,107** passengers (+2.4% vs official 2024 **3,176,952**). Third straight year over 3 million. June 2025 **316,703** (busiest month); 1 Dec 2025 **7,155** (busiest day). FAA prelim CY 2025 enplanements **1,596,784** (rank 85, +2.66% vs 1,555,454) is a different extract — do not mix.

Full guide

Explore the DSM guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Getting There
4 ways into the city, compared on time, cost, and luggage.
Fastest: Uber / LyftCheapest: No live terminal bus
View Getting There

DSMGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Checkpoint opens 03:45 — budget the official 90 minutes to 2 hours

TSA opens at 3:45 a.m. and stays open until the last departure. Official arrive is 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Layout

One TSA, then A1–A5 left and C1–C7 right

After screening you walk Concourse A or Concourse C on the same sterile side — wrong gate is a walk, not a reclear.

Southwest’s ticket counter is the south end near bag claim; everyone else is north. Allegiant has no lobby kiosk. Official pages do not print a gate-by-airline card — confirm the FIDS.

Food

Seven kitchens, none of them a lounge

Portermill, Arugula & Rye, and Friedrichs sit just after TSA. Coffee & Bar / A Bar cover the far gates.

Berk & Chesters is landside and prints a limited menu; Saturday close is 15:30. Official amenities still say “three full-service restaurants” — trust the seven-name dining card.

Status

The new terminal is January 2027 — you are still in the 1948 building

LiftDSM Phase 1A is on track for January 2027. Today’s 13 gates and one checkpoint are still the live product.

Live conditions

Right now at DSM

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 03:34 CDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 14, 08:34 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Iowa trips that already picked one of the six live airlines
Drivers using EZ-PICKUP or the $7 Red / $8 Grey economy lots
Travelers who will eat at Portermill or Friedrichs after the single checkpoint

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

8.5

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

7.3

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

7.3

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

6.6

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

6.8

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for DSM.

Updated Sep 12, 2026

Official 13 Jan 2026 recap / 2026 Quick Facts PDF: CY 2025 **3,254,107** passengers (+2.4% vs official 2024 **3,176,952**). Third straight year over 3 million. June 2025 **316,703** (busiest month); 1 Dec 2025 **7,155** (busiest day). FAA prelim CY 2025 enplanements **1,596,784** (rank 85, +2.66% vs 1,555,454) is a different extract — do not mix.

Full guide

Explore the DSM guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Getting There
4 ways into the city, compared on time, cost, and luggage.
Fastest: Uber / LyftCheapest: No live terminal bus
View Getting There

DSMGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Checkpoint opens 03:45 — budget the official 90 minutes to 2 hours

TSA opens at 3:45 a.m. and stays open until the last departure. Official arrive is 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Layout

One TSA, then A1–A5 left and C1–C7 right

After screening you walk Concourse A or Concourse C on the same sterile side — wrong gate is a walk, not a reclear.

Southwest’s ticket counter is the south end near bag claim; everyone else is north. Allegiant has no lobby kiosk. Official pages do not print a gate-by-airline card — confirm the FIDS.

Food

Seven kitchens, none of them a lounge

Portermill, Arugula & Rye, and Friedrichs sit just after TSA. Coffee & Bar / A Bar cover the far gates.

Berk & Chesters is landside and prints a limited menu; Saturday close is 15:30. Official amenities still say “three full-service restaurants” — trust the seven-name dining card.

Status

The new terminal is January 2027 — you are still in the 1948 building

LiftDSM Phase 1A is on track for January 2027. Today’s 13 gates and one checkpoint are still the live product.

Live conditions

Right now at DSM

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 03:34 CDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 14, 08:34 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Iowa trips that already picked one of the six live airlines
Drivers using EZ-PICKUP or the $7 Red / $8 Grey economy lots
Travelers who will eat at Portermill or Friedrichs after the single checkpoint

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

8.5

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

7.3

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

7.3

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

6.6

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

6.8

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for DSM.

Updated Sep 12, 2026

Official 13 Jan 2026 recap / 2026 Quick Facts PDF: CY 2025 **3,254,107** passengers (+2.4% vs official 2024 **3,176,952**). Third straight year over 3 million. June 2025 **316,703** (busiest month); 1 Dec 2025 **7,155** (busiest day). FAA prelim CY 2025 enplanements **1,596,784** (rank 85, +2.66% vs 1,555,454) is a different extract — do not mix.

Full guide

Explore the DSM guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Getting There
4 ways into the city, compared on time, cost, and luggage.
Fastest: Uber / LyftCheapest: No live terminal bus
View Getting There

No passenger lounge and no Priority Pass
DART’s June 2026 network dropped the terminal — official Route 8 copy is leftover
Uber/Lyft pickup is in the garage, not at the curb
The new terminal is January 2027; you are still in the 1948/1970 building

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

2.0

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

3.25 million (CY 2025 official)

Terminals

1 terminal, 2 concourses (A1–A5 / C1–C7), 1 TSA

On-time departures

74%

Typical security

12 min

Lounges

No passenger lounge. Official dining / amenities have none. American’s own DSM page: clubs not available. Live Priority Pass USA does not include DSM. “The Club DSM / Escape / Aspire” are fiction.

No passenger lounge and no Priority Pass
DART’s June 2026 network dropped the terminal — official Route 8 copy is leftover
Uber/Lyft pickup is in the garage, not at the curb
The new terminal is January 2027; you are still in the 1948/1970 building

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

2.0

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

3.25 million (CY 2025 official)

Terminals

1 terminal, 2 concourses (A1–A5 / C1–C7), 1 TSA

On-time departures

74%

Typical security

12 min

Lounges

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 03:34 CDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 14, 08:34 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 03:34 CDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 14, 08:34 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 03:34 CDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 14, 08:34 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 03:34 CDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 14, 08:34 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Know before you go

Right now at DSM

Who this airport works for

Why this score

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Amenities

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