Lost & Found

Des Moines Airport Lost and Found

Lost something at Des Moines International Airport? Report it immediately — airport lost and found offices hold items for 30–90 days, but recovery rates drop sharply after the first 24 hours.

Left somewhere in the airport (not at security)

Airport Lost and Found

515-256-5839

Location: Airport Operations / Guest Services, Main Terminal, 5800 Fleur Drive

Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30am–6pm, Sat 8:30am–4pm, Sun 8:30am–6pm

File an online claim →

Left at the TSA security checkpoint

TSA Lost Property

1-866-289-9673

If an item was lost at the TSA security checkpoint, contact TSA directly rather than the airport — checkpoint claims are handled separately and are most successful when reported within the first 24–48 hours.

File a TSA claim online →

Note: items left in gate areas may also be held by the airline's gate staff — contact the airline directly for gate-area and on-board lost items.

What to do right now (step by step)

Check with the airline first — items left at gates or on the plane go to the airline, not the airport.
If lost in the terminal: call 515-256-5839 or go to Airport Operations / Guest Services, Main Terminal, 5800 Fleur Drive.
If lost at the security checkpoint: call TSA at 1-866-289-9673 or file a claim online.
File an online claim if available — written claims are processed faster and create a searchable paper trail.
Check back in 24–48 hours — items are logged as they come in and may not appear in the system immediately.

Pro Tip

Items lost on your flight go to your airline, items lost at the TSA checkpoint go to TSA, and everything else lost inside DSM goes through the airport's online Lost Item Report or a call to the Fleur Drive office. Found items are held for 60 days before disposal, so report as soon as you notice something missing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does DSM airport keep lost items?

Most airports hold unclaimed items for 30–90 days before donating or auctioning them. File your claim as quickly as possible to maximize recovery chances.

What if I left something on the plane?

Items left on aircraft go to the airline, not the airport lost and found. Contact the airline directly — each airline has its own baggage service phone number and online claim process.

How do I report a lost item at the TSA checkpoint at DSM?

Call TSA at 1-866-289-9673 or file a claim at tsa.gov/travel/customer-service. Items left at security checkpoints are held for 30 days.

Can I file a lost item report online for DSM?

Yes — DSM has an online lost item report form. Filing online is recommended as written claims are typically processed faster than phone reports alone.

Know exactly when to leave for the airport

The Leave-By Time calculator folds the live DSM TSA wait, real-time drive time from your door, and gate-walk distance into one exact time to leave home — no guesswork.

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TSA·WAIT·TIMES