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NKG to DSM: distance & flight time
Nanjing (Nanjing Lukou Airport) → Des Moines (Des Moines International Airport)
6,967 mi
11,212 km · 6,054 nm
14h 8m
estimated nonstop flight time
-13h
time difference · heading northeast
See live NKG→DSM fares Phone-only fares on this route — call free
Flight time details
6,967 miles nonstop takes roughly 14h 8m gate to gate, flying northeast. Add 45–90 minutes per connection if there's no nonstop service. Remember to factor the 13-hour time set-back when reading arrival times on your ticket.
The two airports
- NKG — Nanjing Lukou Airport · Nanjing, China
- DSM — Des Moines International Airport · Des Moines, United States
Distances are great-circle ("as the crow flies") — the same basis airlines use for frequent-flyer miles.
Alternate airports can cut this fare
Flying from or into a nearby airport is the #1 trick our agents use to beat online prices. Call and we'll compare every combination on one call.
Near NKG
- WHU · Wuhu Air Base36 mi away
- CZX · Changzhou Benniu Airport55 mi away
- YTY · Yangzhou Taizhou Airport76 mi away
- HFE · Hefei Luogang International Airport92 mi away
Near DSM
- OTM · Ottumwa Regional Airport70 mi away
- FOD · Fort Dodge Regional Airport75 mi away
- ALO · Waterloo Regional Airport96 mi away
- CID · The Eastern Iowa Airport104 mi away
Frequently asked questions
How far is NKG from DSM?
The flight distance from Nanjing (NKG) to Des Moines (DSM) is 6,967 miles (11,212 km, 6,054 nautical miles), measured along the great-circle route airlines actually fly.
How long is the flight from NKG to DSM?
A nonstop flight takes about 14h 8m gate to gate. Actual time varies with winds, routing and season — eastbound transatlantic flights, for example, are usually faster than the return.
Are there nonstop flights from NKG to DSM?
Nonstop service on NKG–DSM depends on the season and the day of week. Run the fare search on this page with the nonstop filter applied to see current direct options; when there is no nonstop, a single connection through a carrier hub adds roughly 2–4 hours to the 14h 8m nonstop estimate.
What is the time difference between Nanjing and Des Moines?
Des Moines is 13 hours behind Nanjing.
What is the cheapest way to fly from NKG to DSM?
Compare live fares online, then call CheapoTrav — our agents have unpublished consolidator fares on NKG–DSM that never appear on search engines, with no booking fees.
Why are some NKG to DSM fares phone-only?
Consolidator contracts let us sell certain NKG–DSM tickets below the price airlines permit us to publish online, so those fares can only be quoted over the phone. Call the travel desk and an agent will check phone-only inventory for your dates.