Private charter between Des Moines and Chicago starts at US$10,000 aboard a very light jet.
Private jet charter from Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago (ORD), and from Chicago (ORD) back to Des Moines (DSM).
As the crow flies, Des Moines to Chicago is roughly 480 kilometres — 298 miles, or 259 nautical miles.
From US$10,000 · Reply within the hour · No obligation
Expect US$10,000 – US$15,500 for a one-way charter between Des Moines and Chicago, depending on the aircraft — a very light jet sits at the lower end, larger jets above. Pets are welcome in-cabin on every option.
Efficient for short hops with two to four passengers. It seats 4-6 and is a frequent choice on sectors of this length.
The popular choice for this distance — strong value and cabin comfort. With seating for 6-8, it balances cabin comfort against running cost.
Short-runway specialist — ideal for remote airstrips and island hops. It seats 6-9 and is a frequent choice on sectors of this length.
| Category | Outbound | Return (±10% wind) | From (USD) | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very Light Jet · rec. | 1h 04m | 58 min – 1h 10m | US$10,000 | 4-6 |
| Light Jet | 1h 01m | 55 min – 1h 07m | US$11,000 | 6-8 |
| Turboprop | 1h 22m | 1h 14m – 1h 30m | US$10,000 | 6-9 |
| Aircraft | Flight time | Cost range (USD) | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embraer Phenom 100EV | 1h 04m | US$10,000 – US$13,500 | 4-6 |
| Cessna Citation M2 | 1h 02m | US$10,500 – US$15,000 | 4-6 |
| HondaJet Elite II | 1h 01m | US$11,500 – US$16,000 | 4-6 |
| Aircraft | Flight time | Cost range (USD) | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna Citation CJ3+ | 1h 01m | US$11,000 – US$15,500 | 6-8 |
| Embraer Phenom 300E | 1h 00m | US$12,000 – US$17,000 | 6-8 |
| Learjet 75 Liberty | 57 min | US$13,000 – US$18,500 | 6-8 |
| Aircraft | Flight time | Cost range (USD) | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilatus PC-12 NGX | 1h 22m | US$10,000 – US$11,000 | 6-9 |
| King Air 350 | 1h 17m | US$10,000 – US$12,000 | 8-11 |
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.
The guide range for Des Moines–Chicago is derived from the sector distance and typical winds, fuel costs at both ends, and the handling and landing charges levied at both airports. Final pricing is locked once we check live aircraft schedules.
Both cities are served by several airports, giving flexibility on slots and routing:
Des Moines, United States: Des Moines International Airport, Ankeny Regional Airport, Ames Municipal Airport, Perry Municipal Airport, Newton Municipal Airport and Pella Municipal Airport.
Chicago, United States: Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Dupage Airport, Chicago Executive Airport, Chicago Midway International Airport, Gary/Chicago International Airport and Lewis University Airport.
Counts every airfield flown for each city — Des Moines: Des Moines (DSM), Ankeny (KIKV); Chicago: Chicago (MDW, ORD), Chicago/West Chicago (DPA).
Observed traffic makes this a weekday route with afternoon departures: departures cluster on Tue, most often around 15:00 UTC.
Des Moines→Chicago runs about 3 minutes longer, which is the prevailing wind rather than the distance.
Sat is the quietest day we observe on this pairing, which is usually when an aircraft is easiest to source at short notice.
| Direction | Departures observed | Typical block | Fastest seen | Aircraft observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines → Chicago | 45 | 54 min | 43 min | Cessna Citation Latitude (17), Embraer Phenom 300 (4), Beech Beechjet (3), Bombardier Challenger 300 (3) |
| Chicago → Des Moines | 40 | 51 min | — | Cessna Citation Latitude (9), Beech Beechjet (4), Embraer Phenom 300 (3), Cessna Citation CJ4 (2) |
85 movements observed, 2025-08-17 to 2026-08-16.
| Des Moines International Airport | Chicago O'Hare International Airport | |
|---|---|---|
| Code | KDSM / DSM | KORD / ORD |
| Longest hard runway | 9,004 ft | 13,000 ft |
| Surface | Asphalt | Concrete |
| Field elevation | 958 ft | 680 ft |
All 21 aircraft we quote for Des Moines to Chicago can use both airfields and fly the route non-stop. Des Moines International Airport has 9,004 ft and Chicago O'Hare International Airport 13,000 ft, both comfortably beyond the 6,000 ft the largest types here need, so field length is not what decides the aircraft on this route — cabin size and range are. The leg is 480 km.
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) · Dupage Airport (7,571 ft, 30 km) · Chicago Executive Airport (5,001 ft, 15 km) · Chicago Midway International Airport (6,522 ft, 25 km) · Gary/Chicago International Airport (8,859 ft, 57 km)
Every aircraft and crew we place is from a certified, audited operator. You fly with professionals, not unknowns.
Send your request and expect a real answer within the hour — not an automated holding reply, but live options with pricing.
Airline schedules are fixed; yours doesn't have to be. Depart Des Moines–Chicago when the time is right.
No queues, no security theatre. From kerb to cruising altitude in under 20 minutes.
Des Moines–Chicago is a frequently chartered domestic sector for executives and families alike, prized for flexibility and time saved.
Budget US$10,000 – US$15,500 one-way depending on aircraft; a very light jet sits at the entry point. We confirm a firm figure against live availability.
About 1h 04m gate to gate over 480 km (298 miles), similar both ways; larger jets are marginally faster.
Very Light Jet, Light Jet, Turboprop are the usual choices here; our pick is a very light jet for value and comfort on this distance.
Yes — we handle last-minute Des Moines–Chicago charters, often with as little as 4 hours' notice, subject to aircraft and crew availability.
Absolutely — pets travel in the cabin with you on this route; just tell us the details when you ask for a quote.
Of course: Chicago to Des Moines runs on the same aircraft and pricing, so round trips are straightforward.
Other flights from Des Moines | Chicago | United States | North America
