Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Charlotte to Des Moines. While takeoff offers some scenic value over the Catawba River and Lake Norman, the landing approach provides more visually distinctive features—the Des Moines River valley, the river confluence, and the approach to the city create a more engaging final descent. Left-side seats capture this better.

During takeoff from Charlotte Douglas International (CLT), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of the Catawba River valley and the Piedmont terrain rolling northwest from Charlotte. The typical northwesterly departure from CLT climbs over suburban Charlotte and the transition zone between the Piedmont and Appalachian foothills. Notable sights include: Catawba River, Lake Norman (visible as a large water body north of Charlotte), Piedmont rolling hills, suburban Charlotte sprawl.

When landing at Des Moines International (DSM), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide views of the Des Moines River valley and the approach corridor into DSM from the southeast. The typical landing approach descends over central Iowa farmland and the river system that defines Des Moines's geography. Notable sights include: Des Moines River, Raccoon River confluence, Des Moines downtown skyline, central Iowa agricultural grid.

The flight from Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) to Des Moines International (DSM) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Appalachian foothills in eastern Tennessee and Kentucky, then transitions into the Ohio River valley near Cincinnati. From altitude, the Ohio River is visible as a major waterway snaking through forested terrain. The flight then crosses into Indiana and Illinois, passing over the relatively flat agricultural landscape of the Midwest. The Wabash River may be visible in southern Indiana. By the time the flight reaches Iowa, the terrain is predominantly open farmland with scattered lakes and river valleys. No major mountain ranges are visible from cruising altitude on this route—the Appalachians are too low and distant from the flight path to present dramatic scenery.