Nonstop flight route between Christchurch, New Zealand and Des Moines, Iowa, United States:
Departure Airport:
(43°29'21"S by 172°31'55"E)
Arrival Airport:
(41°32'2"N by 93°39'47"W)
Distance from CHC to DSM:
8,256.41 miles (13,287.37 km)
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Jump to:
- About this route
- CHC Airport Information
- DSM Airport Information
- Facts about CHC
- Facts about DSM
- Map of Nearest Airports to CHC
- List of Nearest Airports to CHC
- Map of Furthest Airports from CHC
- List of Furthest Airports from CHC
- Map of Nearest Airports to DSM
- List of Nearest Airports to DSM
- Map of Furthest Airports from DSM
- List of Furthest Airports from DSM
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Christchurch International Airport (CHC), Christchurch, New Zealand and Des Moines International Airport (DSM), Des Moines, Iowa, United States would travel a Great Circle distance of 8,256 miles (or 13,287 kilometers).
A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between Christchurch International Airport and Des Moines International Airport, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.
Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between Christchurch International Airport and Des Moines International Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | CHC / NZCH |
| Airport Name: | Christchurch International Airport |
| Location: | Christchurch, New Zealand |
| GPS Coordinates: | 43°29'21"S by 172°31'55"E |
| Area Served: | Christchurch |
| Operator/Owner: | Christchurch City Council (75%) NZ Government (25%) |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 123 feet (37 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 3 |
| View all routes: | Routes from CHC |
| More Information: | CHC Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | DSM / KDSM |
| Airport Name: | Des Moines International Airport |
| Location: | Des Moines, Iowa, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 41°32'2"N by 93°39'47"W |
| Area Served: | Des Moines, Iowa |
| Operator/Owner: | City of Des Moines |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 958 feet (292 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 2 |
| View all routes: | Routes from DSM |
| More Information: | DSM Maps & Info |
Facts about Christchurch International Airport (CHC):
- China Southern Airlines has stated it intends to start a Guangzhou to Christchurch service in the future.
- In early 2009 work on the new terminal commenced.
- Because of Christchurch International Airport's relatively low elevation of 123 feet, planes can take off or land at Christchurch International Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- The closest airport to Christchurch International Airport (CHC) is Ashburton Aerodrome (ASG), which is located 47 miles (75 kilometers) SW of CHC.
- Christchurch International Airport is the main airport that serves Christchurch, New Zealand.
- Christchurch International Airport (CHC) has 3 runways.
- In May 2013 the airport began kicking out travellers who tried to sleep at the airport overnight, saying they should find proper accommodation, but backed down after neighbours complained people were sleeping rough outdoors.The airport has direct flights to 18 domestic and 11 international destinations.
- There are several general aviation organisations operating from the airport.
- The furthest airport from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) is A Coruña Airport (LCG), which is nearly antipodal to Christchurch International Airport (meaning Christchurch International Airport is almost on the exact opposite side of the Earth from A Coruña Airport), and is located 12,389 miles (19,939 kilometers) away in A Coruña, Spain.
- Three different city bus routes service the airport.
- Christchurch International Airport handled 556,096 passengers last year.
Facts about Des Moines International Airport (DSM):
- On December 2, 1978, Douglas C-47A N41447 of SMB Stage Line crashed short of the runway while on a cargo flight from Chicago, Illinois.
- Des Moines International Airport (DSM) has 2 runways.
- Interior renovation work began in 2009 on the airport and concluded in 2010.
- The furthest airport from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is Margaret River Airport (MGV), which is located 10,789 miles (17,363 kilometers) away in Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.
- Because of Des Moines International Airport's relatively low elevation of 958 feet, planes can take off or land at Des Moines International Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- The closest airport to Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is Ankeny Regional Airport (IKV), which is located only 12 miles (19 kilometers) NNE of DSM.
- The airport hosts the Des Moines Air National Guard Base and 132d Fighter Wing of the Iowa Air National Guard.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 46.56 miles (74.93 km) SW | Ashburton Aerodrome (ASG) | Ashburton, New Zealand |     |
| 2 | 85.98 miles (138.36 km) SW | Richard Pearse Airport (Timaru Airport) (TIU) | Timaru, New Zealand | |
| 3 | 91.30 miles (146.94 km) NE | Kaikoura Aerodrome (KBZ) | Kaikoura, New Zealand | |
| 4 | 94.67 miles (152.36 km) NW | Hokitika Airport (HKK) | Hokitika, New Zealand | |
| 5 | 98.21 miles (158.06 km) NW | Greymouth Airport (GMN) | Greymouth, New Zealand | |
| 6 | 121.37 miles (195.32 km) W | Mount Cook Airport (MON) | Mount Cook, New Zealand | |
| 7 | 123.49 miles (198.74 km) WSW | Glentanner Aerodrome (GTN) | Mount Cook, New Zealand | |
| 8 | 124.98 miles (201.14 km) SW | Oamaru Airport (OAM) | Oamaru, North Otago, New Zealand | |
| 9 | 125.97 miles (202.73 km) W | Fox Glacier Aerodrome (FGL) | Fox Glacier, New Zealand | |
| 10 | 130.32 miles (209.73 km) NNW | Westport Airport (WSZ) | Westport, New Zealand | |
| 11 | 152.29 miles (245.08 km) NNE | Woodbourne Airport (BHE) | Blenheim, New Zealand | |
| 12 | 155.42 miles (250.12 km) NNE | Nelson AirportTe Papa Waka Rererangi o Whakatū (NSN) | Nelson, New Zealand | |
| 13 | 165.18 miles (265.83 km) N | Motueka Aerodrome (MZP) | Motueka, New Zealand | |
| 14 | 179.20 miles (288.39 km) N | Takaka Aerodrome (KTF) | Takaka, New Zealand | |
| 15 | 183.94 miles (296.03 km) WSW | Wanaka Airport (WKA) | Wanaka, New Zealand | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 12,389.34 miles (19,938.66 km) ENE | A Coruña Airport (LCG) | A Coruña, Spain | |
| 2 | 12,373.89 miles (19,913.80 km) NE | Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ) | Santiago de Compostela, Spain | |
| 3 | 12,364.83 miles (19,899.21 km) W | Asturias Airport (OVD) | Oviedo, Asturias, Spain | |
| 4 | 12,331.77 miles (19,846.00 km) NE | Vigo Airport (VGO) | Vigo, Galicia, Spain | |
| 5 | 12,326.14 miles (19,836.95 km) WNW | León Airport (LEN) | León, Spain | |
| 6 | 12,317.56 miles (19,823.14 km) NNW | Bragança Airport (BGC) | Bragança, Portugal | |
| 7 | 12,296.25 miles (19,788.85 km) NNE | Braga Airport (BGZ) | Braga, Portugal | |
| 8 | 12,283.43 miles (19,768.21 km) N | Vila Real Airport (VRL) | Vila Real, Portugal | |
| 9 | 12,269.27 miles (19,745.42 km) NNE | Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) | Porto, Portugal | |
| 10 | 12,255.48 miles (19,723.23 km) NW | Valladolid International Airport (VLL) | Valladolid, Spain | |
| 11 | 12,253.81 miles (19,720.55 km) W | Santander Airport (SDR) | Santander, Cantabria, Spain | |
| 12 | 12,234.68 miles (19,689.77 km) NNW | Salamanca-Matacán Airport (SLM) | Salamanca, Spain | |
| 13 | 12,226.73 miles (19,676.96 km) WNW | Burgos Airport (RGS) | Burgos, Spain | |
| 14 | 12,213.99 miles (19,656.46 km) N | Covilhã Airport (COV) | Covilhã, Portugal | |
| 15 | 12,207.66 miles (19,646.28 km) W | Bilbao Airport (BIO) | Bilbao, Spain | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11.96 miles (19.24 km) NNE | Ankeny Regional Airport (IKV) | Ankeny, Iowa, United States | |
| 2 | 31.72 miles (51.05 km) N | Ames Municipal Airport (AMW) | Ames, Iowa, United States | |
| 3 | 32.71 miles (52.64 km) NW | Perry Municipal Airport (PRO) | Perry, Iowa, United States | |
| 4 | 34.53 miles (55.57 km) ENE | Newton Municipal Airport (TNU) | Newton, Iowa, United States | |
| 5 | 36.87 miles (59.33 km) NNW | Boone Municipal Airport (BNW) | Boone, Iowa, United States | |
| 6 | 50.75 miles (81.68 km) SW | Creston Municipal Airport (CSQ) | Creston, Iowa, United States | |
| 7 | 63.25 miles (101.79 km) N | Webster City Municipal Airport (EBS) | Webster City, Iowa, United States | |
| 8 | 67.94 miles (109.34 km) WNW | Arthur N. Neu Airport (CIN) | Carroll, Iowa, United States | |
| 9 | 69.61 miles (112.03 km) ESE | Ottumwa Regional Airport (OTM) | Ottumwa, Iowa, United States | |
| 10 | 72.18 miles (116.16 km) W | Atlantic Municipal Airport (AIO) | Atlantic, Iowa, United States | |
| 11 | 75.34 miles (121.25 km) NNW | Fort Dodge Regional Airport (FOD) | Fort Dodge, Iowa, United States | |
| 12 | 88.26 miles (142.04 km) NNW | Humboldt Municipal Airport (HUD) | Humboldt, Iowa, United States | |
| 13 | 93.36 miles (150.25 km) ESE | Fairfield Municipal Airport (FFL) | Fairfield, Iowa, United States | |
| 14 | 93.88 miles (151.09 km) WNW | Denison Municipal Airport (DNS) | Denison, Iowa, United States | |
| 15 | 95.89 miles (154.31 km) NE | Waterloo Regional Airport (Livingston Betsworth Field) (ALO) | Waterloo, Iowa, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 10,788.59 miles (17,362.52 km) W | Margaret River Airport (MGV) | Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 2 | 10,765.59 miles (17,325.49 km) W | Busselton Regional Airport (BQB) | Busselton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 3 | 10,745.72 miles (17,293.52 km) W | Manjimup Airport (MJP) | Manjimup, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 4 | 10,741.55 miles (17,286.81 km) W | Bunbury Airport (BUY) | Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 5 | 10,702.16 miles (17,223.42 km) WSW | Rottnest Airport (RTS) | Rottnest Island, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 6 | 10,688.11 miles (17,200.80 km) WSW | Jandakot Airport (JAD) | Jandakot, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 7 | 10,679.91 miles (17,187.60 km) W | Albany Airport (ALH) | Albany, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 8 | 10,678.27 miles (17,184.97 km) WSW | Perth Airport (PER) | Perth, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 9 | 10,663.64 miles (17,161.42 km) WSW | Jurien Bay Airport (JUR) | Jurien Bay, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 10 | 10,650.61 miles (17,140.45 km) W | Katanning Airport (KNI) | Katanning, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 11 | 10,620.66 miles (17,092.25 km) WSW | Geraldton Airport (GET) | Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 12 | 10,595.70 miles (17,052.09 km) WSW | Kalbarri Airport (KAX) | Kalbarri, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 13 | 10,572.70 miles (17,015.07 km) WSW | Morawa Airport (MWB) | Morawa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 14 | 10,567.93 miles (17,007.39 km) WSW | Mullewa Airport (MXU) | Mullewa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 15 | 10,547.73 miles (16,974.88 km) WSW | Shark Bay Airport (MJK) | Monkey Mia, Western Australia, Australia | |