Video shows what to expect when new Des Moines airport terminal opens
Des Moines Airport officials released this fly through video showing renderings of the new terminal that is expected to open in 2026.
Provided by the Des Moines International Airport
Iowans flying to Los Angeles may have to choose a layover after Allegiant Air said its nonstop flight to Los Angeles International Airport won’t return.
The flight, which operated on a seasonal basis, was expected to run from May through August, according to the Des Moines International Airport.
The company’s business model, based on supply and demand, is designed for flexibility to respond to market conditions, said Hector Mejia from Allegiant Media Relations. This approach helps keep prices low for customers.
“Our business model is built to give us the flexibility to start and stop service as industry dynamics evolve,” Mejia said in a statement to the Register. “As a rule, we consider all of our routes to be seasonal because our business model is built on demand and seasonality.”
Why did Allegiant cancel its Des Moines to Los Angeles flight?
Allegiant will close its crew base in Los Angeles, which opened in 2009, in September due to rising airport fees according to Airways Magazine.
The airline will serve Los Angeles on some remaining routes with crews from other bases. It has been reducing flights from the airport since 2024.
For Iowans trying to get to California, Allegiant will continue to offer a nonstop flight from Des Moines to John Wayne Airport, about 45 minutes to the south in Orange County. That flight operates on Sundays and Tuesdays and is selling tickets for flights now through November.
A flight to San Diego operates Mondays and Fridays with tickets available for May through August.
Will Allegiant’s DSM to LAX route return?
There’s always a possibility Allegiant’s DSM to LAX route will return, the airline said in a statement.
“We have a dedicated team of network planners who are constantly analyzing and adjusting service to best fit our customers’ needs and adjust to market conditions,” Allegiant said. “We will continue to assess our current and past markets and adjust service accordingly.”
Allegiant is adding two new east coast destinations — Jacksonville and Boston — to Des Moines this spring.
Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.
