Hartsfield/Jackson Atlanta International to Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport ATL → DCA
475 nautical miles (547 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 047°, about 052° magnetic at the departure end (variation 5W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 36 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 63-knot tailwind), arriving about 11:11 pm EDT (03:11 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ATL is VFR, wind from the west-northwest (300°) at 8 knots; DCA is IFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) at 8 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: 13,131 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
- SIGMET E17E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 9:55 pm EDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 277 to 416 nm out.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 112355 MKCE WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 17E VALID UNTIL 0155Z PA MD VA NC WV OH KY FROM 30WSW EWC-20E RIC-70NNE ILM-70W BKW-10ESE APE-30WSW EWC AREA TS MOV FROM 28015KT. TOPS TO FL310.
- SIGMET E16E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 32,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 25 knots, until 9:55 pm EDT (01:55 UTC). Near the route, at the destination end.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 112355 MKCE WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 16E VALID UNTIL 0155Z NY NJ PA DE MD VA DC WV AND NJ NY CSTL WTRS FROM SAX-30SE JFK-10N DCA-60ENE EKN-SAX AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 22025KT. TOPS TO FL320.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 10 to 346 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 7,000 ft. Over the route from 69 to 287 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 277 nm along 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 last 139 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the route from 406 to 465 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 ATL.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- PA46 at 23,000 ft, 41 nm northwest, 7:28 pm EDT (23:28 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 22,000 ft to 23,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-44. 208 nm along the route, 41 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TRI UA /OV HMV090010/TM 2328/FL230/TP PA46/TB LGT- MOD CHOP 230-220/RM ZTLFD-44
- Report
- a routine report filed through TRI
- Where
- 10 nm east (090°) of HMV
- Time
- 23:28 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PA46
- Turbulence
- light moderate chop from 23,000 ft to 22,000 ft
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-44
- E145 at 9,000 ft, 8 nm south, 5:56 pm EDT (21:56 UTC): moderate turbulence, overcast up to 9,000 ft, heavy rain. 337 nm along the route, 8 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
LYH UA /OV LYH/TM 2156/FL090/TP E145/SK OVCUNKN-TOP090/WX +RA/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through LYH
- Where
- over LYH
- Time
- 21:56 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Sky
- overcast, tops 9,000 ft
- Weather
- heavy rain
- Turbulence
- moderate
- B752 descending, 0 nm west, 7:03 pm EDT (23:03 UTC): remarks: final runway 26R atl. At the departure end, 0 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ATL UA /OV ATL/TM 2303/FLDURD/TP B752/SK BASES 031 TOPS 045/RM FINAL RWY 26R ATL
- Report
- a routine report filed through ATL
- Where
- over ATL
- Time
- 23:03 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B752
- Sky
- bases 3,100 ft tops 4,500 ft
- Remarks
- final runway 26R atl
- B739 descending, 0 nm west, 6:38 pm EDT (22:38 UTC): a broken layer above 3,200 ft, remarks: final runway 28 atl. At the departure end, 0 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ATL UA /OV ATL/TM 2238/FLDURD/TP B739/SK BKN032/RM FINAL RWY 28 ATL
- Report
- a routine report filed through ATL
- Where
- over ATL
- Time
- 22:38 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B739
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,200 ft
- Remarks
- final runway 28 atl
- B717 descending, 0 nm west, 5:42 pm EDT (21:42 UTC): 18 °C, wind 284° at 15 knots, remarks: final runway 27L atl. At the departure end, 0 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ATL UA /OV ATL/TM 2142/FLDURD/TP B717/SK BASES 030/TA 18/WV 284/15/RM FINAL RWY 27L ATL
- Report
- a routine report filed through ATL
- Where
- over ATL
- Time
- 21:42 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B717
- Sky
- bases 3,000 ft
- Temperature
- 18 °C
- Wind
- 284/15
- Remarks
- final runway 27L atl
- FA7X at 41,000 ft, 49 nm southwest, 5:41 pm EDT (21:41 UTC): light chop turbulence above 41,000 ft, remarks: ztlfd. At the departure end, 49 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LGC UA /OV LGC085005/TM 2141/FL410/TP FA7X/TB OCNL LGT CHOP 410/RM ZTLFD
- Report
- a routine report filed through LGC
- Where
- 5 nm east (085°) of LGC
- Time
- 21:41 UTC
- Height
- at 41,000 ft
- Aircraft
- FA7X
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop at 41,000 ft
- Remarks
- ztlfd
- A320 at 37,000 ft, 0 nm west, 5:36 pm EDT (21:36 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZTLFD-27. At the departure end, 0 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ATL UA /OV GSU180035/TM 2136/FL370/TP A320/TB LGT CHOP/RM ZTLFD-27
- Report
- a routine report filed through ATL
- Where
- 35 nm south (180°) of GSU
- Time
- 21:36 UTC
- Height
- at 37,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- light chop
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-27
- C55B at 3,000 ft, 2 nm east, 6:29 pm EDT (22:29 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 30 nm along the route, 2 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
LZU UA /OV 070010/TM 2229/FL030/TP C55B/SK BASE030
- Report
- a routine report filed through LZU
- Where
- wind from 070° at 10 knots
- Time
- 22:29 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- C55B
- Sky
- BASE030
- RV5 at 3,000 ft, 34 nm southeast, 5:55 pm EDT (21:55 UTC): overcast above 3,500 ft, remarks: during the descent. 30 nm along the route, 34 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
AHN UA /OV 52A/TM 2155/FL030/TP RV5/SK OVC 035/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through AHN
- Where
- over 52A
- Time
- 21:55 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- RV5
- Sky
- overcast from 3,500 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- SF50 at 7,000 ft, 7 nm southeast, 6:37 pm EDT (22:37 UTC): no turbulence, no icing, imc, remarks: ZTLFD-45. 208 nm along the route, 7 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
HKY UA /OV BZM/TM 2237/FL070/TP SF50/SK IMC/TB NEG/IC NEG/RM ZTLFD-45
- Report
- a routine report filed through HKY
- Where
- over BZM
- Time
- 22:37 UTC
- Height
- at 7,000 ft
- Aircraft
- SF50
- Sky
- instrument conditions
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-45
- PC24 at 4,000 ft, 21 nm northwest, 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): no turbulence, remarks: 18 final. 247 nm along the route, 21 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CLT UA /OV CLT005090/TM 2300/FL040/TP PC24/WX FIS/TB SMOOTH/RM 18 FINAL
- Report
- a routine report filed through CLT
- Where
- 90 nm north (005°) of CLT
- Time
- 23:00 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC24
- Weather
- fi s
- Turbulence
- smooth
- Remarks
- 18 final
- CRJ7 descending, 40 nm southeast, 6:32 pm EDT (22:32 UTC): a broken layer above 4,500 ft. 257 nm along the route, 40 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
GSO UA /OV GSO/TM 2232/FLDURD/TP CRJ7/SK BKN045
- Report
- a routine report filed through GSO
- Where
- over GSO
- Time
- 22:32 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CRJ7
- Sky
- a broken layer from 4,500 ft
- B763 at 3,000 ft, 37 nm southeast, 7:26 pm EDT (23:26 UTC): a broken layer above 3,000 ft. 267 nm along the route, 37 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
GSO UA /OV HEVED/TM 2326/FL030/TP B763/SK BKN030
- Report
- a routine report filed through GSO
- Where
- heved
- Time
- 23:26 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B763
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,000 ft
- B763 descending, 38 nm southeast, 7:24 pm EDT (23:24 UTC): a broken layer above 3,000 ft. 267 nm along the route, 38 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
GSO UA /OV 10 NE GSO/TM 2324/FLDURD/TP B763/SK BKN030
- Report
- a routine report filed through GSO
- Where
- 10 northeast gso
- Time
- 23:24 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B763
- Sky
- a broken layer from 3,000 ft
16 more routine reports are on the map.
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 eastbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: odd thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 5 forecast points nearest it (ATL, GSP, TRI, ROA, RIC). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 270° at 13 kt | −9 kt | 129 kt | 3 h 41 min | 12:16 am EDT (04:16 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 290° at 16 kt | −8 kt | 11 °C | 128 kt | 3 h 43 min | 12:18 am EDT (04:18 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 290° at 17 kt | −8 kt | 10 °C | 128 kt | 3 h 43 min | 12:18 am EDT (04:18 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 290° at 17 kt | −9 kt | 8 °C | 129 kt | 3 h 41 min | 12:16 am EDT (04:16 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 280° at 17 kt | −10 kt | 5 °C | 130 kt | 3 h 39 min | 12:14 am EDT (04:14 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 270° at 19 kt | −15 kt | 2 °C | 135 kt | 3 h 31 min | 12:06 am EDT (04:06 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 260° at 23 kt | −20 kt | -2 °C | 140 kt | 3 h 24 min | 11:59 pm EDT (03:59 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 250° at 28 kt | −25 kt | -5 °C | 145 kt | 3 h 17 min | 11:52 pm EDT (03:52 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 250° at 29 kt | −27 kt | -6 °C | 147 kt | 3 h 14 min | 11:49 pm EDT (03:49 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 42 kt | −41 kt | -18 °C | 161 kt | 2 h 57 min | 11:32 pm EDT (03:32 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 58 kt | −58 kt | -31 °C | 178 kt | 2 h 40 min | 11:15 pm EDT (03:15 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 64 kt | −63 kt | -40 °C | 183 kt | 2 h 36 min | 11:11 pm EDT (03:11 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 60 kt | −59 kt | -50 °C | 179 kt | 2 h 39 min | 11:14 pm EDT (03:14 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 300/23 | 320/26 14° | 320/34 10° | 320/41 5° | 290/32 -6° | 290/31 -18° | 280/28 -33° | 260/32 -41° | 250/28 -50° |
| GSP | used from 49 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 300/22 | 310/22 11° | 300/22 7° | 290/28 5° | 270/36 -5° | 250/42 -18° | 230/54 -31° | 230/59 -40° | 230/65 -50° |
| TRI | used from 198 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 310/28 11° | 320/32 7° | 330/30 2° | 300/28 -9° | 280/34 -21° | 250/37 -31° | 240/39 -38° | 250/35 -48° | |
| ROA | used from 247 nm out; 42 nm from the line | 280/9 | 290/15 12° | 290/11 8° | 210/6 3° | 210/30 -6° | 220/46 -19° | 210/74 -30° | 220/78 -39° | 220/64 -48° |
| RIC | used from 396 nm out; 55 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° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL Atlanta, GA | departure | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,800 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,026 ft | 8:20 pm EDT (00:20 UTC) |
| LZU Lawrenceville, GA | 30 nm out, 2 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,300 feet, scattered clouds at 3,300 feet | from the west (270°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,061 ft | 23:56 UTC |
| AHN Athens, GA | 49 nm out, 24 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,400 feet, a broken layer at 3,600 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 3,600 ft | 812 ft | 23:51 UTC |
| AVL Asheville, NC | 139 nm out, 16 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,100 feet, scattered clouds at 4,100 feet | from the north-northwest (330°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 2,163 ft | 23:54 UTC |
| MRN Morganton, NC | 188 nm out, 4 nm north of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 1,269 ft | 00:15 UTC |
| HKY Hickory, NC | 198 nm out, 8 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,189 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| MWK Mount Airy, NC | 257 nm out, 3 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,600 feet, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, overcast at 9,500 feet | from the west (270°) at 2 knots | 10+ mi | 9,500 ft | 1,268 ft | 00:15 UTC |
| ROA Roanoke, VA | 307 nm out, 19 nm northwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 1,600 feet Weather: mist | from the north (350°) at 7 knots | 2 mi | 1,600 ft | 1,175 ft | 00:05 UTC |
| LYH Lynchburg, VA | 337 nm out, 6 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 300 feet, a broken layer at 2,700 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 2,700 ft | 938 ft | 00:32 UTC |
| CHO Charlottesville, VA | 396 nm out, 9 nm northwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,200 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the north (010°) at 6 knots | 5 mi | 600 ft | 640 ft | 00:11 UTC |
| HEF Washington, DC | 455 nm out, 8 nm northwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet | from the north (360°) at 8 knots | 3 mi | 500 ft | 192 ft | 23:56 UTC |
| DCA Washington, DC | destination | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 600 ft | 14 ft | 7:52 pm EDT (23:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,163 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At DCA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:11 pm EDT (03:11 UTC)
Wind from the northeast at 5 knots, visibility 2 miles, rain showers, mist, overcast at 500 feet IFR
The whole forecast for DCA
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 9 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 700 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 5 knots, visibility 2 miles, rain showers, mist, overcast at 500 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am EDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 1,200 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 13 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for ATL, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8693 Atlanta, GA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 6 nm from the route, at the departure end · drones kept away from a public gathering · until 12 October · ZTL
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA on the route, at the destination end · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 13 nm from the route, at the destination end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at ATL 7:07 pm EDT (23:07 UTC), at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:01 pm EDT (23:01 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at DCA is after sunset there (6:35 pm EDT (22:35 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: Hartsfield/Jackson Atlanta International, Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport.