Iowa State Fair Private Flights

Charter a private jet to the premier fair in the midwest Aug. 8-18, 2024.

Round Trip One Way Multi-City
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Experience Midwest Culture

Held annually in Des Moines, the Iowa State Fair is seen as a salute to the best of the best in the agriculture industry. This Midwest celebration has been an inspiration in many great works of art, including the original novel entitled State Fair by Phil Strong, a Broadway musical, and three films.

Do you love live music? The Grandstand at the Iowa State Fair will play host to some big, big names in the entertainment industry. From famed rockstars Foreigner gracing the stage on August 9 to country icon Jelly Roll on August 10 and Mötley Crüe on August 14 to many, many other talented performers, the Grandstand is where you’ll likely spend the majority of your time.

 

An aerial view of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.

Fun for the Whole Family

Whether you’re chartering a private jet for you and your staff or planning a family trip to the midwest, trust Stratos with your jet charter to Des Moines.

Those seeking cheap thrills will be pleasantly surprised by the attraction line-up.

Thrill Ville – This is where all the jaw-dropping, fast-paced attractions can be found.

Thrill Town – This set-up is perfect for the littlest State Fair attendees. With loads of stroller parking and tons of age-appropriate rides, the whole family will enjoy this little corner of the Fair.

Thrill Zone – For a heart-pumping, adrenaline-inducing experience, seek out the Thrill Zone.

Games Galore – Among the rides and food trucks are plenty of fun traditional fair-style games. Test your throwing arm, your accuracy with darts, and your strength while vying to win that coveted stuffed animal.

Fun Fair Fare

One of the best attractions to be found at the fair is the food, and the Iowa State Fair is no exception. Here you’ll find more than 200 vendors, 80 different food items served up on a stick, and hundreds of satisfying food options.

The skyline of Des Moines, Iowa at dusk.

Recommended private jets for your charter flight to Des Moines

Whether you're travelling from near or far, our network of luxury private jets has the right aircraft for your and your travel companions.

8

SEATS

357

MPH

1362

RANGE
$3,120 - $3,822

15

SEATS

548

MPH

7767

RANGE
$16,536 - $19,110

7

SEATS

514

MPH

3337

RANGE
$14,508 - $15,990

9

SEATS

540

MPH

3567

RANGE
$10,296 - $13,260

Private jet airports near Des Moines

The most commonly chosen arrival airport for a jet charter to the Iowa State Fair is the Des Moines International Airport (DSM). It’s located southwest of the city and just 12 minutes from the downtown core. For those hoping to avoid the traffic of a commercial airport, the Ankeny Regional Airport (IKV) is located just 10 miles north of the city and is perfect for those chartering a smaller aircraft.

Ground Services in Des Moines

Are you looking for a thrilling fair experience? Stratos Jets can help you arrange a jet charter to the Iowa State Fair. And, once you land, our Trip Support Team can have a pre-arranged car and driver ready to whisk you and your travel companions away to the fair.

 

A man leans against a limo in front of a private jet.

What Our Clients Are Saying

Every charter flight review on this page was submitted by a real Stratos Jets customer. In the interest of transparency, we never change reviews or use incentives to influence these reviews. This way, you can hear directly from our past and current clients about how we handled their private travel experience.

4.5/5 (22)
4.7/5 (25)
4.8/5 (568)
4.8/5
566 Reviews
4.7/5
25 Reviews
4.5/5
22 Reviews
5/5
4 Reviews
Overall rating (4.89 out of 5) Based on 670 reviews from our trusted Jet Charter reviews
5 1 5 06/03/2020

My representative Simon did a really good job explaining my options and arranging our charter. Disappointed our charter Was 30 minutes late due to routine maintenance. Since it was routine, obviously it should have been scheduled to not interfere with our flight schedule. One of the big reason for the charter was to avoid sitting around a lounge in the Covid era. Due to the delay, that’s exactly what we did. Small issues, but water wasn’t working in lavatory, cabin temperature was a bit erratic, and air vent dripped water. Crew was courteous and flight was fine.

 

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Dear Peter, 
 
Thank you for taking time to provide feedback regarding your recent flight on N860TX.  After receiving your review, I investigated the matter to learn a bit more about what was going on.  
 
During the pre-flight check, the crew discovered a maintenance issue that, while minor, needed to be resolved prior to your departure.   Unfortunately, resulting in a delay in your schedule.  We understand that the value of private aviation is oriented around your schedule and privacy, but we can not prioritize that over safety.  In the case of the delay, it is a result of the crews concern for safety of flight.  Regardless, our team values your feedback and have shared it with the air carrier as well.  
 
We look forward to working with you again on your next trip and will seek to ensure a smoother travel experience.
 
All my best,


Joel A. Thomas 

President and CEO 

5 1 5 12/09/2016

Our passengers wish to extend a sincere thanks to your staff. We however advise that you do not have permission to use Michael's name in their advertising or promotional material as to be endorsing your product. Thank you again. We look forward to working with you again in the near future.

5 1 5 04/14/2020

Always a pleasure working with Stratos Jets. Never have had a bad experience.

5 1 5 03/26/2020

Anthony went above and beyond to make certain that our trip to the Bahamas went off without a hitch. The team coordinated everything including ground transportation. Anthony stayed in contact each leg of the trip to make certain that we had everything we needed. I highly recommend Stratos Jet and will certainly use them again in the future.

5 1 5 09/13/2013

None that I can think of. Very Satisfied.

5 1 5 03/21/2023

Glenn, who assisted every step of the way was professional and kind as he answered the many questions I had as this was our first experience traveling in this way. The communication was clear and any expectations we had were exceeded. The pilot was very personable and made the experience enjoyable from the time we arrived at the FBO until we landed. Thank you.

5 1 5 03/08/2020

Joel and his team did a great job as always!!

5 1 5 11/03/2016

I booked a flight for my good clients and amazing service from pre departure to arrival. Friendly staff and always easy to reach. My clients left sunglasses in the plane and they are already on their way. I will use you for sure again. Thanks again.

5 1 5 02/19/2020

From the first email until the time we were wheels down in St. Thomas, the responsiveness, service, professionalism and attention to detail were exceptional. There is absolutely no chance I will ever use anyone else and I will be sure to share my experiences with my colleague’s here on Capitol Hill and in my professional and personal circles. A special acknowledgement to Glenn, for everything he did to make this a seamless business experience! Regards, Larnell Director, Travel, Security and Facilities,

5 1 5 11/15/2024

Great communication! We look forward to assisting with your future flights.

5 1 5 08/20/2017

Joel was all over booking our Jet and catering to our every need. He was easy to reach at all times and made arrangements that you would normally have to ask for, just as part of his routine business. He runs Stratos with elite service and I will be a life long customer!

5 1 5 04/28/2017

Joel and Stratosjets made my last minute flight to the Masters possible. Price was competitive and services was second to none.  Joel and his team responded to each call and SMS in a matter of seconds.  They took care of every detail from flight, to transport and everything in between. Jonathan E. Owner of Mercedes-Benz Dealership

5 1 5 05/09/2017

Having used many charter companies before with mixed experiences, I can say with confidence that Stratos has the best service and highest level of professionalism of any of the charter services I have encountered. Most recently, we had an unfortunate last minute cancellation of a charter booked through another service, and Stratos came through at the last minute to find the right plane at the right price for us with under 24 hour notice. I cannot thank them enough for their professionalism as well as their willingness and ability to go above and beyond to find the right charter for us - even as a first time customer.

5 1 5 03/22/2021

I have already recommended your firm to a friend and will continue to do so assuming, of course, my future travels with you remain consistent with my inaugural experience

5 1 5 03/11/2021

Glenn made my first experience with Stratos easy and enjoyable. He went above and beyond to make sure I was completely satisfied and had all the information needed. I appreciated the attention to detail and the follow-up. Thank you

5 1 5 05/14/2024

I have had many flights with Stratos Jet’s all booked through Kyle. They make the flights seamless and easy and do what they promise. I have recommended them to others.

5 1 5 05/12/2016

Flight was for an elderly person and the tail number was provided a long time before the flight and I made sure the person flying had all the info written down by someone who could hear and got everything correct. Flyer had that until day before when tail number changed. I had to find someone who could hear me well and right down the correct info for the person traveling so he got it straight in his head and for driver.

5 1 5 01/04/2024

Wonderful experience with a highly professional crew!

5 1 5 09/17/2020

Smooth and easy

5 1 5 04/29/2024

Was a bit nervous for this flight as there was a connection onto a cruise ship the same day but everything was seamless. Flight was able to take off 20 minutes ahead of schedule! Steve kept us in the loop every step of the way. 5 stars from us!

5 1 5 12/28/2013

None that I can think of.  Great flight

5 1 5 04/13/2022

Our company attempted for 2 days to secure a private jet for our business trip out of Tucson, AZ to Ban Nuys, CA. Then I contacted Stratos Jet. Within hours Stratos Jet accomplished what all the other private jet charters failed to do. We will now always start with Stratos Jets before wasting time with their competitors. Stratos Jet went ABOVE & BEYOND in their customer service & professionalism. And that 1st class treatment of service continued thru all phases of our business trip from start to return.

5 1 5 06/20/2021

Probably the best charter experience I have ever had. Zach really came through for me when I was in a bind. Thanks Zach and keep up the good work.

5 1 5 07/31/2023

Daniel is knowledgeable, responsive and professional. Great job!

5 1 5 05/02/2017

Very fast quote ~ excellent pricing, strong safety rating. Trip was excellent.

5 1 5 09/12/2013

awesome

5 1 5 12/21/2021

As always, every aspect of the trip from booking to deplaning could not have been more enjoyable and efficient!!

5 1 5 03/30/2010

Thank you for making this very easy for us!! I look forward to a long relationship with Stratos Jet Charter!!

5 1 5 09/24/2020

Great rep!

5 1 5 12/14/2022

Good morning, Joel.  I have been in the customer service business for 30 years as a realtor and previously customer service manager for a performing arts hall.  I am very critical when it comes to customer service as so many companies who pride themselves being excellent fall short.  I feel when it excels, it should be pointed out to their superior.

Falling short is certainly not the case with Kyle Jones and Leslie Jackson.  This is my first experience with chartering a private plane.  My 94 year old father and 92 year old mother are going to their favorite place in the world, the Beau Rivage hotel in Biloxi MS at Christmas time.  A charter flight works so much better than the hassle of traveling commercial today.

Kyle was on top of everything for me and when I would send him a question via email the response was rapid fire.  The same goes for Leslie.  I don’t think it was more than 5 minutes before a response came back.  Their friendliness, professionalism and knowledge is above par and you are extremely lucky to have them on the Stratos team.

My father insists he will be going again next year and I hope he is correct.  I will contact Stratos for their traveling needs and hopefully work with both the wonderful Kyle and Leslie again.

Merry Christmas to you and your family and a happy New Year.

Laura

5 1 5 08/19/2021

Zach, was phenomenal from beginning to end! What was taking me a half-day to do Zach was able to complete efficiently in a few hours. He periodically made the process as smooth as possible, not to mention giving hourly updates. I would say that Stratos has a customer for life. Zach enjoys and loves what he does and it shows in his work ethic! Thank you!

5 1 5 04/11/2020

This experienced exceeded my expectations in every way. The booking process, follow up, attention to detail, urgency and ease of communication were all excellent. The pilots were friendly, prepared, professional and prompt. The plane exactly as described and needed. I will definitely use this service again.

5 1 5 01/03/2017

We can't speak highly enough of our experience with Stratus Jet Charters. From start to finish they were very professional, responsive and caring. We look forward to the opportunity of using Stratos Jet Charters for our next adventure.

5 1 5 05/05/2021

Appreciate Glenn's attention to detail and follow up. He is great to work with.

5 1 5 03/24/2023

very pro active, quick to get information and respond to requests, fast wire payment. I wish ALL brokers were this good. Great job team. Joel, you have put together a great group. It was nice working with you, it's been a long time.

5 1 5 03/01/2017

Great service. Responsive and thorough.

5 1 5 02/02/2017

As a part 135 operator, I have been doing business with Stratos Jets since it was founded by Joel Thomas in 2006. Since the first trip I could tell they were a different type of Jet brokerage. Joel and his team of aviation advisors have always conducted themselves with the highest of standards and partnered with platinum operators like us to give their customers a luxurious private jet experience. Thank you for a decade of partnership and excellence. Thank you for your friendship! Rich Brennan VP of Sales

5 1 5 12/19/2023

Great equipment, a competent/courteous crew and a smooth flight make for a terrific trip!!

5 1 5 07/13/2021

Everything from booking to flying to ground transport was taken care of. Stratos made our golf trip amazing!

5 1 5 08/06/2017

As usual the trip from start to finish was handled professionally

5 1 5 04/07/2021

The Team at Stratos arranged another great flight for our family. We had a great Lear 45 with a brand new interior! The pilots could not have been kinder and sweeter with our boys and the entire journey was totally seamless. If you are considering Charter you are missing out if you are not using Stratos- THE BEST SAFETY, SERVICE & PRICE value combination- period! Thank you Stratos Team again.

5 1 5 09/21/2021

We had a great experience, we will definitely use stratos again.

5 1 5 12/21/2021

Stratos service is professional, prompt, proactive and easy to do business with. Any questions or concerns they get on it right away ( ie itinerary changes) and very accommodating. I recommend them to all my friends, and when I travel Stratos is my first call.

5 1 5 02/26/2018

Pre trip work up seemed very professional. Crew had plane positioned on time and assisted with loading. Just my wife and I and two dogs. It was the dogs first flight so we had some concerns but the crew did a great job in getting them aboard and settled down. flight was uneventful and all worked as planned. No issues at all. Very good

Same on return flight except we arrived a good half hour early but crew jumped to task and loaded us and dogs promptly for return. Only item worth mentioning was during climb out to altitude both my wife and I heard numerous bumping sound on both sides of fuselage up and down the sides and top. We have owned our own planes and owned shares in jets through Flight Options and chartered often over the years and we have never had this type of noise. It almost sounded like rivets coming out or random bird strikes (which I knew it was not). I mentioned it to the co-pilot and he told me to report it so maintenance could be sure to check it out. Said it may be a maintenance issue on an older aircraft but a first for me. After attaining altitude the noise did not reoccur. All else went according to schedule and the pilots were very professional and assisted on and off with dogs and luggage. I would use again this service. Thank

Joel Thomas:  Hi William!  Thanks for the opportunity to serve you and your wife.  We are always grateful when our clients take the time to offer feedback.  We reached out to Chief Pilot of the air carrier you flew with regarding the noise you mentioned and here is what they said:  "Frequently you'll hear noises that sound like that and its just the airplane expanding as altitude, temperature and humidity change.  Its actually very common."  Looking forward to working with you all again soon!  All my best

5 1 5 03/30/2022

As always, we enjoy working with you all. We all strive to accommodate the clients needs as best as possible, on our end and your end. Looking forward to many more trips with you all in the future.

5 1 5 10/02/2017

I was thouroughly impressed with the professionalism of the Broker Joel, the flight organizer Sarah and the crew on both legs. The aircraft was clean, in good shape and right on time. The crew was friendly and professional to me and my guests. Two small issues were getting a tail number on less than 12 hours that made getting our rental cars more complex than necessary and more significant was being notified by our bank that you tried to bill my flight a couple times when I paid in full prior to first leg. All in all I would use them again but would encourage one contact who checks in daily a few days prior to flight rather than me having try to figure out who to call when it looked like a couple problems were coming up.

5 1 5 10/18/2012

My only complaint with Stratos is that Initially, I did not received the lowest price quote.

5 1 5 01/10/2022

Glenn made booking effortless, pilots made it a great flight and yes, I would recomend to a friend.

5 1 5 07/03/2022

Always a great experience. Amazing communication and expert service

5 1 5 03/27/2013

All good. I would like info on best, fastest way to charter jet for my next trip to India. I'm not wealthy, & run a small business. My work is only to benefit impoverished people internationally. My website is www.lesindiennes.com. I must travel regularly to India yearly for my business. I wonder if your company alo cares about these people? Is it possible to use your services for this business travel? Can you advise me to a NY company that is more suitable to my needs. I answered your questionnaire. I look forward to your advice, & to learn how much your co. Is concerned with the plight of these people's? Best Mary

Frequently Asked Questions

Our friendly, expert air charter agents are here to answer questions or start your quote today. Don`t wait, call right now and we can get you on your way to the destination of your choice! Talk to one of our air chater argents now by calling (888) 593-9066 or by emailing [email protected]

  • How do I choose the right aircraft for my mission?

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    As charter brokers, we do more than simply book your charter flight. At Stratos Jets, our air charter associates are highly trained personnel capable of matching our clients with the appropriate aircraft for their travel needs. Once we determine how many passengers you’re travelling with and how far you’re flying, we can determine which category of aircraft you require. There are many options available. The most common aircrafts hired for private charters include:

    • Cessna’s Citation X
    • Gulfstream’s G650
    • Bombardier’s Global line

    After that, we can help you narrow down the selection of recommended aircraft based on budget, desired cabin amenities, airport requirements, luggage capacity, as well as aircraft age and performance capabilities.

    Staying Safe in the Skies

    At Stratos Jets, air charter safety is our number one concern. One of our key policies is to increase consumer education. This ensures our clients are able to make informed decisions. We also work with our aircraft providers to ensure their safety training programs meet and even exceed our air charter safety requirements. To make this happen, Stratos Jets is an ARGUS Certified Broker. This means that our brokerage firm is:

    • Committed to the best industry practices
    • Adhering to all applicable safety regulations
    • Maintaining the appropriate insurance coverage required
  • Are there additional costs per private jet rental passenger?

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    There are no additional costs per passenger. At Stratos Jet Charters, we base our private jet rental prices per hour, not per guest.

    The Stratos Pricing Estimator

    If you would like to estimate the cost of a private jet charter, use our Stratos pricing estimator page. It lists the most common estimates based on destination and aircraft type. And you can always enter customized data to get an estimate for a specific destination.

    Additional Concierge Charges

    We do charge for some of our additional concierge services, such as in-flight catering and entertainment, hotel bookings and ground transportation. We know our clients’ time is precious, so we offer the value and convenience of “one-stop-shopping” through our Trip Support team. When you book a flight with Stratos Jet Charters, we can take care of all the logistics, including booking hotels, meeting spaces, limousines and tickets to special events. That way you can relax, and enjoy your trip.

    Empty Leg Charters

    Also, since we charge per hour, not per passenger, there are travel bargains to be found with our Empty Leg Flights. Many of our private jet rental flights are one-way, and then we need to move the aircraft to a new destination. To reduce the costs of flying an empty aircraft, we offer discounts to travelers with flexible itineraries. Clever passengers will sometimes split the cost with their fellow travelers, thereby reducing the cost for everyone on the flight.  

  • Can I make last-minute changes to my itinerary?

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    If your plans need to change, we will do everything in our power to accommodate the changes. One of the benefits of hiring Stratos Jet Charters is that we have much more flexibility than commercial airlines and can provide many more air charter services.

    We have two teams that can help you. Here is a brief description of each:

    Charter Sales Agents 

    This is the initial contact team. They evaluate your travel needs to identify the appropriate aircraft type for your travel plan. Pricing is determined by aircraft availability, its position related to the intended departure location and the position of where the aircraft needs to be after performing the customer’s flight.   

    Trip Support Team

    Once the aircraft has been selected, Trip Support works with the customer, the air carrier and all concierge service providers to organize all of the travel details. Trip Support is responsible for coordinating:

    • Departure time
    • Departure and arrival at the Fixed Base departure location
    • Ensuring assigned crew members meet Stratos experience requirements
    • Making sure the insurance is current and everyone is protected
    • Coordinating all concierge services

    In reference to last-minute itinerary changes, any changes would go through the Trip Support Team.

    Our customers often have demanding flight itineraries that can change quickly. They’ve come to appreciate knowing there’s an entire team of people focused on organizing all the details of their trip. Stratos Jet Charters wants to provide our clients with consistently outstanding air charter service and an impeccable safety record.

View all our Frequently Asked Questions >

Are you ready to book your Can I make last-minute changes to my itinerary? charter flight yet?

Our friendly, expert air charter agents are here to answer questions or start your quote today. Don`t wait, call now and we'll get you on your way to your destination!

Call 888-593-9066
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