Fly private between Des Moines and Los Angeles from US$45,000 for a midsize jet (Cessna Citation XLS+). Get an instant quote.
This route runs both ways — Des Moines (DSM) to Los Angeles (VNY) and Los Angeles to Des Moines — timed and priced alike.
The straight-line distance between Des Moines and Los Angeles is about 2,317 km (1,440 miles), or 1,251 nautical miles.
From US$45,000 · Reply within the hour · No obligation
Expect US$45,000 – US$86,000 for a one-way charter between Des Moines and Los Angeles, depending on the aircraft — a midsize jet sits at the lower end, larger jets above. Pets are welcome in-cabin on every option.
A stand-up cabin and more baggage room for medium-haul comfort. It seats 7-9 and is a frequent choice on sectors of this length.
Intercontinental comfort with a full stand-up cabin and separate sleeping area. With seating for 9-12, it balances cabin comfort against running cost.
| Category | Outbound | Return (±10% wind) | From (USD) | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midsize Jet · rec. | 3h 18m | 2h 58m – 3h 38m | US$45,000 | 7-9 |
| Super Midsize Jet | 3h 04m | 2h 46m – 3h 22m | US$61,500 | 9-12 |
| Aircraft | Flight time | Cost range (USD) | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna Citation XLS+ | 3h 18m | US$45,000 – US$63,000 | 7-9 |
| Hawker 900XP | 3h 15m | US$49,500 – US$69,500 | 7-9 |
| Embraer Praetor 500 | 3h 07m | US$54,000 – US$70,000 | 8-10 |
| Aircraft | Flight time | Cost range (USD) | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Challenger 350 | 3h 04m | US$61,500 – US$86,000 | 9-12 |
| Cessna Citation Longitude | 3h 04m | US$67,500 – US$94,500 | 9-12 |
| Embraer Praetor 600 | 3h 07m | US$74,000 – US$100,000 | 9-12 |
Same aircraft, same route — return pricing is symmetric; flight times can vary about ±10% with wind direction.
Guide prices are one-way estimates incl. positioning; taxes/handling extra. Round-trip and one-way both available.
On Des Moines–Los Angeles, pricing is a function of the route distance and headwinds, fuel costs at both ends, and handling charges at origin and destination. We verify against current aircraft availability before quoting a firm price.
You can fly to or from any of these airports at each end; we match the most convenient to your trip:
Des Moines, United States: Des Moines International Airport, Ankeny Regional Airport, Ames Municipal Airport, Perry Municipal Airport, Newton Municipal Airport and Pella Municipal Airport.
Los Angeles, United States: Los Angeles International Airport, Van Nuys Airport, Long Beach International Airport, Zamperini Field, Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport and John Wayne Orange County International Airport.
20 business-aviation flights were tracked between Des Moines and Los Angeles from 17 August 2025 to 16 August 2026 – about 0.4 a week, on 19 separate days.
100% were jets and 0% turboprops. 15 flights set out from the Des Moines side and 5 from the Los Angeles side.
Busiest full month: March 2026 (5 flights). The first and last bars (lighter) are part-months.
Friday is the busiest day for this route. Days are by departure date (UTC).
| City | Airfields used (tracked flights) |
|---|---|
| Des Moines | Des Moines International Airport (DSM) – 18 flights; Ames Municipal Airport (AMW) – 1 flights; Ankeny Regional Airport – 1 flights |
| Los Angeles | Van Nuys Airport (VNY) – 8 flights; John Wayne Orange County International Airport (SNA) – 6 flights; Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport (BUR) – 3 flights; Long Beach International Airport (LGB) – 2 flights |
Source: open ADS-B network (adsb.lol), 17 August 2025 to 16 August 2026. These are tracked business-aviation movements – a floor, not a census: flights without an active transponder are not seen, and not every flight is a charter.
| Des Moines International Airport | Van Nuys Airport | |
|---|---|---|
| Code | KDSM / DSM | KVNY / VNY |
| Longest hard runway | 9,004 ft | 8,001 ft |
| Surface | Asphalt | Asphalt |
| Field elevation | 958 ft | 802 ft |
| Aircraft | Runway | Range | On this route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embraer Phenom 100EV Very Light Jet |
3,200 ft 4,801 ft spare |
2,180 km 717 km short after reserves |
Fuel stop needed |
| Cessna Citation M2 Very Light Jet |
2,900 ft 5,101 ft spare |
2,410 km 487 km short after reserves |
Fuel stop needed |
| Cessna Citation CJ3+ Light Jet |
3,500 ft 4,501 ft spare |
3,700 km 803 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Embraer Phenom 300E Light Jet |
3,278 ft 4,723 ft spare |
3,650 km 753 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Cessna Citation XLS+ Midsize Jet |
4,200 ft 3,801 ft spare |
3,900 km 1,003 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Hawker 900XP Midsize Jet |
5,576 ft 2,425 ft spare |
4,600 km 1,703 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Challenger 350 Super Midsize Jet |
4,930 ft 3,071 ft spare |
5,926 km 3,029 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Cessna Citation Longitude Super Midsize Jet |
4,900 ft 3,101 ft spare |
6,400 km 3,503 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Embraer Praetor 600 Super Midsize Jet |
4,692 ft 3,309 ft spare |
7,220 km 4,323 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Challenger 605 Heavy Jet |
5,440 ft 2,561 ft spare |
7,400 km 4,503 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Gulfstream G450 Heavy Jet |
5,300 ft 2,701 ft spare |
7,800 km 4,903 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Falcon 2000LXS Heavy Jet |
4,790 ft 3,211 ft spare |
7,400 km 4,503 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Bombardier Global 7500 Ultra Long Range Jet |
6,000 ft 2,001 ft spare |
14,260 km 11,363 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Bombardier Global 6000 Long Range Jet |
5,800 ft 2,201 ft spare |
11,112 km 8,215 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Gulfstream G650 Long Range Jet |
6,000 ft 2,001 ft spare |
12,960 km 10,063 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Falcon 8X Long Range Jet |
4,800 ft 3,201 ft spare |
11,945 km 9,048 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
Alternates within range: Ankeny Regional Airport (5,500 ft, 19 km) · Ames Municipal Airport (5,701 ft, 51 km) · Perry Municipal Airport (5,500 ft, 53 km) · Newton Municipal Airport (5,600 ft, 55 km) · Van Nuys Airport (8,001 ft, 31 km) · Long Beach International Airport (10,000 ft, 28 km) · Zamperini Field (5,001 ft, 17 km) · Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport (6,886 ft, 29 km)
A private terminal, a direct boarding ramp, and 3h 18m to your destination. That's the full journey.
We can route through smaller, less congested airfields at either end, often a shorter drive from your actual destination.
Transparent from the start: a clear US$45,000 – US$86,000 range for Des Moines–Los Angeles, confirmed once we check live availability.
Your group travels alone. No strangers, no overheard calls — just your party from Des Moines to Los Angeles.
The Des Moines to Los Angeles route is a popular domestic private-jet path for both business travellers and leisure flyers seeking direct access without commercial schedules.
As a guide, charter ranges US$45,000 – US$86,000 one-way — from a midsize jet (Cessna Citation XLS+) at the lower end. Final pricing depends on dates, group size and availability.
About 3h 18m gate to gate over 2,317 km (1,440 miles), similar both ways; larger jets are marginally faster.
Midsize Jet, Super Midsize Jet are the usual choices here; our pick is a midsize jet for value and comfort on this distance.
Often yes: same-day and next-day Des Moines–Los Angeles departures are possible when aircraft and crew are positioned nearby.
Yes. Our Des Moines–Los Angeles charters are dog- and pet-friendly with in-cabin access — note your pet in the enquiry.
Yes — the route is fully bidirectional, with the same guide price and timing on the return leg.
Between 17 August 2025 and 16 August 2026 we tracked 20 business-aviation flights between Des Moines and Los Angeles – about 0.4 a week, flown on 19 different days. Friday was the busiest day of the week and March 2026 the busiest full month (5 flights). Tracking uses the open ADS-B network, so the true figure is somewhat higher.
Tracked flights used Des Moines International Airport (DSM) – 18 flights; Ames Municipal Airport (AMW) – 1 flights; Ankeny Regional Airport – 1 flights on the Des Moines side, and Van Nuys Airport (VNY) – 8 flights; John Wayne Orange County International Airport (SNA) – 6 flights; Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport (BUR) – 3 flights; Long Beach International Airport (LGB) – 2 flights on the Los Angeles side.
100% of the tracked flights were jets and 0% were turboprops. The most frequently seen aircraft was the Bombardier Challenger.
Other flights from Des Moines | Los Angeles | United States | North America
