Des Moines International Airport

Continent: North America

Country: United States

Region: Iowa

Des Moines International Airport
Location	Des Moines, Iowa
IATA code	DSM
ICAO code	KDSM
Airport type	Commercial
Website	http://www.dsmairport.com
Overview map	Google Maps
Communications
Tower	118.3
Ground	121.9
Clearance	134.15
Approach
ATIS	119.55

Official Spotting Locations

There is not an official spotting location at the Des Moines International Airport.

Other Spotting Locations

Parking Garage ($$$)

The parking garage at DSM gives you a view of landings on 23 and 31 and departures on 13 and 5. You can walk from the North side to the South side, depending on where the traffic is approaching and departing. Fees are $1 USD/hour. Security usually leaves you alone, because this is the place they will refer you to go and they allow photography here. At most times, you would be the only spotter at this place. You can take good photos of aircraft landing on both runways 23 and 31, as well as departures from runways 5 and 13. Park on the lowest level, and take the elevator, which is near the terminal drop-off area, or drive to the top.

• Flickr sample photo - Landing 23

• Flickr sample photo - Taxiing to Gate

• Flickr sample photo - Departing 5

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Elliot Aviation Hangar (41.539198, -93.652294)

This is a great place that allows you to see landings and departures from all runways. Keep in mind, you will be shooting through a fence at this spot.

Departing Runway 13 - https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/9813714

Taxiing to Runway 23 - https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10192023

Sw McKinley Ave (4800-5498 SW 42nd St)

This spot gives great views of aircraft landing on 13 and departing on 31 and 13. It's best to bring a step ladder if you want a little bit more height over the fence. Make sure to call DSM Airport Ops before coming here. Also, please try to stay 10 feet back from the fence, otherwise the Airport Ops will not like it.

Departing Runway 31 - https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10136894

Landing Runway 13 - https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10205674

Departing 13 - https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10170420

Cell Phone Lot

This area gives great views of aircraft landing on 31 and departing 13. When watching aircraft land on 31, make sure to stand on the concrete pillars to see over the fence. When watching aircraft depart 13, make sure to stand a ways back so you're not getting belly shots.

Landing Runway 31 - https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10095226

Dentist Office (2333 Sw McKinley Ave)

This area is great for catching landings from 23. Please be respectful of the property however, as the business that is on here has granted us permission to spot here if we do not cause a mess.

(No example photos available at this time.)

Electrical Power Products (41.518431, -93.677019)

This is a great spot to watch aircraft land on runway 5. You can park in any of the available spots in the Electrical Power Products lot. For better views, walk a little bit to the hill right next to it to avoid trees and poles.

Landing Runway 5 - https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10170071

Locations to Avoid

For the most part, the airport police at DSM are pretty cool with the spotters here. Just make sure to let DSM Airport Ops know if you go next to any of the places that are listed above with "Call DSM Airport Ops" at the bottom.

Regular Traffic

Commercial Airlines, Plane Type, and Concourse

Airline	Aircraft	Concourse
Allegiant Airlines	A319, A320	A
American Airlines	A319, A320	C
American Eagle	CRJ-700, CRJ-900, E145, E170, E175	C
Delta Air Lines	717-200, 737-800 (Occasional)	C
Delta Connection	CRJ-900, CRJ-700	C
Frontier Airlines	A320, A320NEO, A319 (Occasional)	C
Southwest Airlines	737-700, 737-800, 737 MAX8	A
United Airlines	A319, A320, 737-800, 737-900	A
United Express	CRJ-200, CRJ-550, CRJ-700, E170, E175,	A

Cargo

• Fedex: Airbus A300, Boeing 757
• UPS: Boeing 757-200, Boeing 767