Des Moines International Airport - About Us


Frequently Asked Questions

 


ATM

There are two ATM machines. One is located in the terminal concourse, and the second is at the concourse/gate level. Both are in the vicinity of the restaurants. Click here for terminal map.

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Airport Map

Click here for Directions to the Airport and maps of the Terminal Layout, Airline Gates, Ticket Counters and the Parking Garage .

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Business Services

The Business Center , open from 5 A.M. to 10 P.M. provides desk space, telephone service, Internet hook up capabilities and lounge space. It is located in the main terminal immediately opposite the ticket counters.

Click here to view location.

Meeting rooms of all sizes are available on the skywalk level of the main terminal.


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Cancellations & Delays

Contact your airline as soon as possible when a connection is cancelled or delayed. Your airline will work with you to re-schedule your flight as soon as possible.

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Carry-on Bags

For travel within the U.S. and Canada, and to many other destinations, you may carry on one bag and one personal item. A carry-on bag must be able to fit under your airline seat and cannot weigh more than 40 pounds. The airlines go by linear dimensions (length + width + height) and these are the requirements for the individual airlines:

Allegiant Air: (9x16x19) USAirways/Mesa: 51 linear inches                                     
American Eagle/Chautauqua/Tran States: 45 linear inches                                     Comair/Delta Connection/ASA: 45 linear inches (22x14x9)                                         Continental Express/Express Jet: 51 linear inches                                                             Midwest Connect/Midwest Express/Skyway: 45 linear inches, 50# limit, (21x15x9)   Northwest Airlines/Mesaba/KLM/Pinnacle: 45 linear inches (9x14x22)                              United Airlines/United Express/Lufthansa: 45 linear inches (9x14x22)

Many airlines allow the following exemptions from the two piece limit:

  • Child safety seats for ticketed children
  • Assistive devices (i.e. canes, crutches, etc.)
  • Outer garments (i.e. coats, hats, etc.)
  • Small purses (no larger than 25 linear inches)

In certain circumstances, when the quantity or size of a carry-on parcel can not be properly stowed, the airline may require you to process your carry on item as checked baggage.

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Checked Bags

For travel within the U.S. and Canada, and to many other destinations, you may travel with two checked bags at no additional cost. Expect a visual inspection of your baggage as part of standard airport security measures.

The checked bag also follow the linear dimensions formula (length+width+height) and the requirements for the separate airlines are as follows:
  • Allegiant Air: 80 linear inches 50# limit
    US Airways /Mesa: 62 linear inches, 50# limitAmerican/American Eagle/Chautauqua/Trans States: 62 linear inches, 50# limitComair/Delta Connection/ASA: 62 linear inches, 50# limitContinental Express/Express Jet: 62 linear inches, 50# limitMidwest Connect/Midwest Express/Skyway: 62/55 linear inches, 50# limitNorthwest Airlines/Mesaba/KLM/Pinnacle: 62 linear inches, 50# limit
  • United Airlines/United Express/Lufthansa: 62 linear inches, 50# limit

If you are traveling outside of North America, an airline's free baggage allowance may vary. Contact your airline or a travel agent prior to your trip to verify it.

You may substitute bowling, fishing, golfing, shooting, or skiing equipment for one piece of the two allowable checked pieces. Military personnel may substitute one duffel/B-4 bag free in lieu of their largest checked piece.

  • Each checked bag must have the name of the person traveling available on the outside of the bag.

If your Ticketed itinerary includes any ground transportation, you must retrieve your luggage and transfer it between the airline and the ground transport yourself.

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Check-in Requirements

All passengers are required to check in at the Airline ticket counters. Two checked bags and one carry on bag are allowed per passenger. Expect a visual inspection of baggage and carry on items. Plan to arrive at least 2 hours before your scheduled departure time. Also have a photo ID or other acceptable form of ID with you when you check in.

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Currency Exchange

Currency can be bought and sold at Wells Fargo Foreign Currency, 666 Walnut Street in Des Moines.  Customers may contact the office directly by dialing 515-245-3293.  Customers may obtain current exchange rate information by contacting the automated line at 515-245-3290.

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E-Tickets

Electronic Tickets require check in at the ticket counter or terminal gate to receive boarding passes. A photo ID is required to confirm an e-ticket.

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ID requirements

A photo ID is required for confirmation of electronic tickets. To prove your identity, either a valid driver's license or a government identification card that includes a photo or a physical description is adequate.

Children who are traveling with their parents or legal guardian, do NOT require a photo ID for their travel.

A U.S. passport is the best proof of U.S. citizenship. Other documents to prove U.S. citizenship include an expired U.S. passport, a certified copy of your U.S. birth certificate, a Certificate of Naturalization, a Certificate of Citizenship, or a Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States.

It is always advised to travel with either a driver’s license, passport or other photo ID.

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International Travel

Who Needs a Passport?

A U.S. citizen needs a passport to depart or enter the United States and to enter and depart most foreign countries (this includes Mexico, Canada, parts of the Caribbean and other locations formerly not needing passports for travel- NEW regulations).

Your travel agent or airline can tell you if you need a passport for the country that you plan to visit. Information on entry requirements is available from the booklet Foreign Entry Requirements, for 50 cents from the Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, Colorado 81009; telephone 719-948-4000; Internet http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/

The embassy or consulate of the country where you plan to travel can also advise you about its entry requirements. For currency exchange information, click here

Please Remember!

A current U.S. passport is required for foreign destinations out of the country. U.S. Immigration requires you to prove your U.S. citizenship and identity to re-enter the United States. Make certain that you take with you adequate documentation to pass through U.S. Immigration upon your return.

A U.S. passport is the best proof of U.S. citizenship. Other documents to prove U.S. citizenship include, a certified copy of your U.S. birth certificate, a Certificate of Naturalization, a Certificate of Citizenship, or a Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States.

To prove your identity, either a valid driver's license or a government identification card that includes a photo or a physical description is adequate.

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Iowa Air National Guard

The Air National Guard's mission - state and federal - is to provide trained, well-equipped men and women who can augment the active force during national emergencies or war, and provide assistance during natural disasters and civil disturbances.

The 132d Fighter Wing, located at the Des Moines International Airport, can trace its roots back to February, 1941 with the establishment of the 124th Observation Squadron. The unit at that time had 110 men, 27 officers (15 pilots), and 5 aircraft.

Over the last 54 years, the 132d Fighter Wing has participated in numerous actions including World War II, the Korean Conflict, and many of the support functions of Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The unit first flew the P-51 fighter aircraft, and entered the jet age in 1953 with the F-80. Several conversions followed with the unit flying the F-84, F-86, F-89, F-100, and the A-7 aircraft. The latest conversion to the F-16C aircraft occurred in 1992.

For over five decades, the 132d Fighter Wing has demonstrated its dedication to excellence and professionalism. The unit has received numerous awards, including five Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, and has participated in exercises and deployments worldwide. The 132d also played a key role in the recovery efforts during the 1993 flooding in the Des Moines area, providing logistics and personnel support to the relief operations. With over 900 enlisted personnel and 116 officers, the 132d Fighter Wing is ready to meet the challenges of a changing world well into the next century.

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Lost and Found

To report lost or found items, contact the Airport Administration office located on the skywalk level of the main terminal building. To check on lost items, contact the Airport Administration office at (515) 256-5100.

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Medications

Never risk the loss of medications while traveling. Carry these on your person or in a carry-on bag.

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Missed Connections

Contact your airline as soon as possible when a connection is missed. Your airline will work with you to re-schedule your flight as soon as possible. Any related ticketing charges are based on circumstances and airline policy.

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Pets

Your dog or cat can travel in two ways: in the cabin with you, or unaccompanied. All options require advance reservations and are subject to a charge. If you are bringing a pet other than a dog or cat, please contact the airline to make sure your pet can be accepted for travel.

Carry-on
A small dog, cat or domesticated household bird can travel with you in the passenger cabin if the pet is small enough to fit comfortably in a kennel that is placed under your airline seat. Animals are never allowed out of the kennel during flight. Many airlines charge $75.00 for domestic travel; international rates vary by destination.

Unaccompanied pets
An unaccompanied pet will travel as part of the cargo system. Animals in the cargo system are transported in pressurized compartments. Fees vary based on weight and size of the kennel. Airlines typically accept live animals that are shipped as cargo only from known shippers, commercial animal shippers or licensed pet breeders, which must be booked in advance of the shipment.

Extreme weather guidelines will apply, preventing cargo shipment of any live animal when the temperature is forecast to exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit at any point in the animal's journey.

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Security

Only ticketed passengers are allowed to pass through Security Screening. All carry-on packages are also passed through x-ray machines. Also expect a visual inspection of all carry-on bags or packages.

The Security Screening area is open from 4:15 am to 8:00 pm, 7 days a week and utilizes the latest security technology available.

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Sky Caps Curbside Check-in

To help make your trip even easier, Skycap personnel are available in front of the terminal. Skycaps can assist anyone with transporting luggage or packages inside the terminal and to the ticket counter. Skycaps are also available to transport any disabled individuals by wheelchair to and from aircraft security screening locations. In addition, baggage curbside check-in is provided by United and American Airlines. In other words, these airlines subcontract with the Skycaps to provide curb-side check-in at no charge to their passengers. The other airlines at DSM have not sub-contracted to pay for their passengers to have curb-side service, but the service is available for a charge of $2.00 per checked bag.

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Special Needs

The airlines serving the Des Moines International Airport have wheelchairs available, and we've developed systems for making sure you can use your own, too. Make sure to stow assistive devices in safe places on board.

Service animals may accompany their owners at no additional cost but must remain at the owner's feet.

Some airlines have therapeutic oxygen available for a reasonable service charge. Most airlines require you to use their equipment, but you may check your own equipment

If you need special assistance, airlines employees will explain emergency procedures and aircraft surroundings.

Contact your airline if you require special dietary needs during your flight.

Always carry any medications you need on your person or in a carry-on bag.

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Travel IDs

A photo ID is required for confirmation of electronic tickets. It is always advised to travel with either a driver’s license, passport or other photo ID.

Children who are traveling with their parents or legal guardian do NOT require a photo ID

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Unaccompanied Children

Children ages five through eleven who are traveling alone are considered unaccompanied minors. Unaccompanied children must be at least five years old to fly. Fees and regulations that apply are described below.

Fees
There may be a fee for unaccompanied children. Please contact your airline of choice for more information.

Safety
Airlines typically require information about who is bringing children to the airport and who is meeting them at their destination. This essential information includes the name, address, and telephone number of the responsible adult bringing them to the departure airport and picking them up at their destination.

To ensure that children are released to the proper person, airlines usually require the responsible adult meeting unaccompanied children at their destination to show photo identification.

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When to arrive

To facilitate an on-time departure, it is recommended that you check-in at least 2 hours before your flight, especially if you are checking baggage. When traveling around holidays, other peak times and/or International travel, a suggested check-in time is 3 hours prior to your departure.

Please note that reservations are subject to cancellation if you are not available for boarding at the gate at least 10 minutes prior to departure for flights between U.S. points, 20 minutes to/from Canada/Mexico and the Caribbean, and 30 minutes to/from all other International points.

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