Albany International to Southwest Florida International ALB → RSW
1,048 nautical miles (1,207 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 204°, about 217° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13W). At 120 knots that is 10 h 05 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 16-knot headwind), arriving about 7:12 am EDT (11:12 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ALB is marginal VFR, wind from the north (360°) at 4 knots; RSW is VFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) at 3 knots. For planning, not a briefing: the legal preflight briefing comes from Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF) or the FAA's own tools. Airlines fly this pair: 161 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.
The route the straight line, the warnings crossed, restrictions, pilot reports and the airports along the way · click a mark for its words
Green, blue, red and purple airport dots are the flying conditions reported there now (VFR, marginal VFR, IFR, low IFR); grey means no report. Red areas are SIGMETs, orange areas AIRMETs, hatched red areas temporary flight restrictions. Map tiles: OpenFreeMap, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Warnings the route crosses SIGMETs and AIRMETs whose area the line passes through or comes within 25 nm of
- AIRMET ZULU 1C: moderate icing up to 24,000 ft. Over the first 60 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 110 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 230 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 70 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 40 to 330 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Over the route from 90 to 170 nm out.
A SIGMET warns of weather hazardous to all aircraft; an AIRMET of weather that matters to small aircraft and to flying without instruments. "From 60 to 180 nm out" is measured along the route from ALB.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
Not fetched just now.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed
The westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 11 forecast points nearest it (ALB, AVP, ACY, RIC, ORF, RDU, ILM, CHS, JAX, MLB, PIE). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,500 ft | 220° at 17 kt | +16 kt | 104 kt | 10 h 05 min | 7:12 am EDT (11:12 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 230° at 21 kt | +18 kt | 14 °C | 102 kt | 10 h 16 min | 7:23 am EDT (11:23 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 230° at 25 kt | +21 kt | 12 °C | 99 kt | 10 h 35 min | 7:42 am EDT (11:42 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | +23 kt | 9 °C | 97 kt | 10 h 48 min | 7:55 am EDT (11:55 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 30 kt | +25 kt | 6 °C | 95 kt | 11 h 02 min | 8:09 am EDT (12:09 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 33 kt | +28 kt | 2 °C | 92 kt | 11 h 23 min | 8:30 am EDT (12:30 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 37 kt | +31 kt | -3 °C | 89 kt | 11 h 47 min | 8:54 am EDT (12:54 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 40 kt | +33 kt | -6 °C | 87 kt | 12 h 03 min | 9:10 am EDT (13:10 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 48 kt | +43 kt | -16 °C | 77 kt | 13 h 37 min | 10:44 am EDT (14:44 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 60 kt | +56 kt | -31 °C | 64 kt | 16 h 22 min | 1:29 pm EDT (17:29 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 65 kt | +64 kt | -41 °C | 56 kt | 18 h 43 min | 3:50 pm EDT (19:50 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 63 kt | +61 kt | -52 °C | 59 kt | 17 h 46 min | 2:53 pm EDT (18:53 UTC) |
Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 UTC; temperatures above 24,000 ft are below zero. Heights are above sea level; a height is left out when the forecast has no wind for it over most of the line (the ground is higher). Ground speed is the airspeed less the headwind; the time en route is for the straight line and ignores climb, descent and routing around weather.
The forecast points as issued
| Point | From | 3,000 | 6,000 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 18,000 | 24,000 | 30,000 | 34,000 | 39,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALB | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 160/27 | 190/16 9° | 200/29 7° | 230/21 3° | 240/24 -9° | 240/43 -19° | 230/65 -33° | 240/91 -42° | 230/99 -53° |
| AVP | used from 50 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 110/36 | 190/34 13° | 230/11 8° | 230/16 4° | 230/26 -8° | 220/40 -19° | 230/73 -33° | 230/98 -41° | 230/87 -51° |
| ACY | used from 150 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 230/15 | 230/22 15° | 230/31 11° | 230/27 6° | 230/40 -7° | 230/51 -17° | 230/71 -31° | 230/81 -41° | 230/86 -53° |
| RIC | used from 250 nm out; 82 nm from the line | 190/33 | 200/29 14° | 210/31 12° | 210/38 6° | 230/42 -7° | 230/68 -16° | 220/84 -29° | 220/86 -40° | 220/81 -52° |
| ORF | used from 399 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 210/45 | 210/41 15° | 210/39 13° | 220/37 7° | 230/55 -5° | 230/65 -16° | 220/71 -30° | 220/75 -40° | 220/72 -53° |
| RDU | used from 449 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 240/28 | 250/22 10° | 230/30 11° | 230/40 7° | 230/45 -4° | 220/69 -15° | 220/83 -29° | 210/84 -40° | 220/75 -52° |
| ILM | used from 499 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 230/27 | 220/35 14° | 230/45 13° | 230/48 8° | 240/59 -4° | 230/57 -14° | 220/66 -30° | 210/66 -40° | 210/59 -52° |
| CHS | used from 599 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 260/22 | 280/26 12° | 260/37 12° | 250/40 8° | 240/54 -4° | 230/55 -15° | 220/61 -31° | 200/66 -41° | 210/62 -52° |
| JAX | used from 749 nm out; 92 nm from the line | 280/14 | 300/22 16° | 260/27 15° | 260/26 9° | 240/41 -6° | 230/38 -16° | 220/44 -32° | 200/49 -41° | 200/52 -53° |
| MLB | used from 849 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 240/7 | 240/11 17° | 240/13 13° | 250/15 8° | 230/25 -5° | 210/25 -16° | 210/24 -31° | 190/29 -41° | 190/27 -53° |
| PIE | used from 999 nm out; 83 nm from the line | 310/7 | 270/12 17° | 270/14 13° | 260/14 8° | 240/22 -5° | 230/24 -16° | 220/26 -31° | 200/31 -41° | 180/33 -53° |
The weather now: both ends and the airports along the way public airports with a weather report within 25 nm of the line, one for each stretch
| Airport | Where | Conditions | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling | Elevation | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALB Albany, NY | departure | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,000 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the north (360°) at 4 knots | 4 mi | 1,000 ft | 284 ft | 8:51 pm EDT (00:51 UTC) |
| SWF New York, NY | 70 nm out, 19 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 700 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the east-northeast (060°) at 10 knots, gusting to 14 | 3 mi | 1,500 ft | 490 ft | 23:45 UTC |
| ILG Wilmington, DE | 200 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: rain | from the northeast (040°) at 11 knots | 5 mi | 500 ft | 79 ft | 00:51 UTC |
| ESN Easton, MD | 260 nm out, 1 nm northeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,900 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the southeast (130°) at 6 knots | 5 mi | 1,900 ft | 72 ft | 00:45 UTC |
| PHF Newport News, VA | 359 nm out, 21 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 11 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 42 ft | 00:54 UTC |
| ISO Kinston, NC | 479 nm out, 12 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,800 feet, a broken layer at 4,400 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 10 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | 4,400 ft | 92 ft | 00:50 UTC |
| CRE North Myrtle Beach, SC | 589 nm out, 8 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 31 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| TIX Titusville, FL | 919 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 5,000 feet | calm | 7 mi | none | 34 ft | 00:47 UTC |
| PGD Punta Gorda, FL | 1029 nm out, 20 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 25 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| RSW Fort Myers, FL | destination | VFR | from the north-northeast (030°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 29 ft | 8:53 pm EDT (00:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 490 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RSW when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:12 am EDT (11:12 UTC)
Wind from the north-northeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for RSW
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east-northeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for ALB, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north at 4 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 2,500 feet
- At times between Sun 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC) and 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, light rain, mist, a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 5 knots, visibility 2 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 4 knots, visibility 1½ miles, light drizzle, mist, scattered clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am EDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 5 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8719 Greenwood, DE, Friday, October 16, 2026 through Saturday, October 17, 2026 UTC 14 nm from the route, 250 nm along the route · air shows/sports · starts Friday 16 October · ZDC
- 6/8886 Greenwood, DE, Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 14 nm from the route, 250 nm along the route · air shows/sports · starts Sunday 18 October · ZDC
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 13 nm from the route, 270 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8508 Johnsontown, NC 16 nm from the route, 529 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8298 Daytona Beach, FL, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 18 nm from the route, 879 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZJX
Daylight
Sunset at ALB 6:18 pm EDT (22:18 UTC), at RSW 7:02 pm EDT (23:02 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:25 pm EDT (23:25 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at RSW is before sunrise there (7:24 am EDT (11:24 UTC)).
Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times. Ordinary notices to air missions (closed runways, lights out) are not shown: the FAA's notice search is not open to sites like this one at this time.
Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads
Sources: the Aviation Weather Center's data service (SIGMETs, AIRMETs, graphical AIRMETs, pilot reports, winds and temperatures aloft, observations and terminal forecasts), the National Weather Service radar, the Weather Prediction Center's charts, the FAA's temporary flight restriction list and shapes, and the FAA's airport file for the positions, elevations and magnetic variation. Fetched when the page is viewed and kept a few minutes. Each leg is the straight line between its two airports; airways, terrain and airspace are not considered. The airports in detail: Albany International, Southwest Florida International.