Bradley International to Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport BDL → DCA
272 nautical miles (313 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 228°, about 242° magnetic at the departure end (variation 14W). At 120 knots that is 2 h 35 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 15-knot headwind), arriving about 2:14 am EDT (06:14 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now BDL is IFR, wind from the north (360°) at 12 knots; DCA is IFR, wind from the north-northeast (020°) at 7 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: 3,229 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 E10E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 39,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 35 knots, until 12:55 am EDT (04:55 UTC). Near the route, 29 nm along the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120255 MKCE WST 120255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 10E VALID UNTIL 0455Z MA RI CT NY AND MA RI NJ NY CT CSTL WTRS FROM 20NW PVD-70SSE ACK-190SSE HTO-70ESE CYN-30SW BDL-20NW PVD AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 24035KT. TOPS TO FL390.
- SIGMET E11E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 12:55 am EDT (04:55 UTC). Over the last 155 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120255 MKCE WST 120255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 11E VALID UNTIL 0455Z NY NJ PA DE MD VA DC WV AND DE NJ NY MD CT VA CSTL WTRS FROM 20NE JFK-90SE SIE-20NNW ORF-30ENE EKN-10S JST-20NE JFK AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- 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 whole route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the whole route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 13,000 ft. Over the first 223 nm of the route.
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 BDL.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- GLF4 at 10,000 ft, 27 nm northeast, 9:03 pm EDT (01:03 UTC): moderate turbulence above 10,000 ft, light rain, remarks: instrument conditions. At the departure end, 27 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BDL UA /OV CEF060010/TM 0103/FL100/TP GLF4/WX -RA/TB MOD 100/RM IMC
- Report
- a routine report filed through BDL
- Where
- 10 nm northeast (060°) of CEF
- Time
- 01:03 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Weather
- light rain
- Turbulence
- moderate at 10,000 ft
- Remarks
- instrument conditions
- BCS3 at 4,000 ft, 30 nm southeast, 8:42 pm EDT (00:42 UTC): moderate turbulence, imc. 49 nm along the route, 30 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BDR UA /OV BDR180010/TM 0042/FL040/TP BCS3/WX IMC/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through BDR
- Where
- 10 nm south (180°) of BDR
- Time
- 00:42 UTC
- Height
- at 4,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Weather
- instrument conditions
- Turbulence
- moderate
- B38M at 6,000 ft, 11 nm southeast, 8:47 pm EDT (00:47 UTC): moderate turbulence. 97 nm along the route, 11 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
EWR UA /OV 2 NW OF EWR/TM 0047/FL60/TP B38M/TB MODERATE
- Report
- a routine report filed through EWR
- Where
- 2 northwest of ewr
- Time
- 00:47 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- moderate
- A319 at 23,000 ft, 32 nm southeast, 11:21 pm EDT (03:21 UTC): moderate turbulence. 146 nm along the route, 32 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
MJX UA /OV CYN345010/TM 0321/FL230/TP A319/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through MJX
- Where
- 10 nm north (345°) of CYN
- Time
- 03:21 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Turbulence
- moderate
- E145 at 12,000 ft, 31 nm northwest, 8:43 pm EDT (00:43 UTC): moderate turbulence. 194 nm along the route, 31 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LNS UA /OV LRP/TM 0043/FL120/TP E145/TB CONS MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through LNS
- Where
- over LRP
- Time
- 00:43 UTC
- Height
- at 12,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- E75L at 20,000 ft, 11 nm east, 8:41 pm EDT (00:41 UTC): moderate turbulence above 20,000 ft. 194 nm along the route, 11 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ILG UA /OV DQO/TM 0041/FL200/TP E75L/TB MOD 200
- Report
- a routine report filed through ILG
- Where
- over DQO
- Time
- 00:41 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate at 20,000 ft
- B38M at 20,000 ft, 41 nm west, 11:11 pm EDT (03:11 UTC): moderate clear-air turbulence from 20,000 ft to 25,000 ft. At the destination end, 41 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV AML300020/TM 0311/FL200/TP B38M/TB MOD CAT 200-250
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 20 nm northwest (300°) of AML
- Time
- 03:11 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- moderate clear-air turbulence from 20,000 ft to 25,000 ft
- B739 at 600 ft, 0 nm south, 9:51 pm EDT (01:51 UTC): a broken layer above 600 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 6. At the departure end, 0 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
BDL UA /OV BDL/TM 0151/FL006/TP B739/SK BKN 006/RM DURD RY6
- Report
- a routine report filed through BDL
- Where
- over BDL
- Time
- 01:51 UTC
- Height
- at 600 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Sky
- a broken layer from 600 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 6
- E75S at 30,000 ft, 1 nm south, 8:50 pm EDT (00:50 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 1 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
BDL UA /OV BDL240010/TM 0050/FL300/TP E75S/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through BDL
- Where
- 10 nm southwest (240°) of BDL
- Time
- 00:50 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75S
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
- Remarks
- during the climb
- E145 at 24,000 ft, 46 nm northwest, 8:59 pm EDT (00:59 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 19 nm along the route, 46 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ALB UA /OV 1B1/TM 0059/FL240/TP E145/TB CONS MMOD CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through ALB
- Where
- over 1B1
- Time
- 00:59 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Turbulence
- continuous mmod chop
- A320 descending, 39 nm southeast, 10:45 pm EDT (02:45 UTC): remarks: final runway 24. 58 nm along the route, 39 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ISP UA /OV ISP/TM 0245/FLDURD/TP A320/SK BCN007/RM FINAL RY24
- Report
- a routine report filed through ISP
- Where
- over ISP
- Time
- 02:45 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- BCN007
- Remarks
- final runway 24
- A320 at 1,000 ft, 39 nm southeast, 9:14 pm EDT (01:14 UTC): remarks: smooth ride heavy rain. 58 nm along the route, 39 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ISP UA /OV ISP/TM 0114/FL010/TP A320/RM SMOOTH RIDE - HEAVY RAIN
- Report
- a routine report filed through ISP
- Where
- over ISP
- Time
- 01:14 UTC
- Height
- at 1,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Remarks
- smooth ride heavy rain
- GA6C at 1,100 ft, 8 nm southeast, 10:31 pm EDT (02:31 UTC): overcast above 1,100 ft, remarks: low-level wind shear + 5 knots runway 34. 68 nm along the route, 8 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
HPN UA /OV HPN/TM 0231/FL011/TP GA6C/SK OVC011/RM LLWS +/- 5 KNOTS RWY34
- Report
- a routine report filed through HPN
- Where
- over HPN
- Time
- 02:31 UTC
- Height
- at 1,100 ft
- Aircraft
- GA6C
- Sky
- overcast from 1,100 ft
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear + 5 knots runway 34
- CL60 descending, 8 nm southeast, 9:15 pm EDT (01:15 UTC): remarks: bases 900 ft. 68 nm along the route, 8 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
HPN UA /OV KHPN/TM 0115/FLDURD/TP CL60/RM BASES 009
- Report
- a routine report filed through HPN
- Where
- over KHPN
- Time
- 01:15 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Remarks
- bases 900 ft
16 more routine reports are on the map.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 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 4 forecast points nearest it (BDL, JFK, ACY, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,500 ft | 240° at 16 kt | +15 kt | 105 kt | 2 h 35 min | 2:14 am EDT (06:14 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 250° at 20 kt | +19 kt | 12 °C | 101 kt | 2 h 42 min | 2:21 am EDT (06:21 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 240° at 26 kt | +26 kt | 10 °C | 94 kt | 2 h 54 min | 2:33 am EDT (06:33 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 30 kt | +30 kt | 6 °C | 90 kt | 3 h 01 min | 2:40 am EDT (06:40 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 32 kt | +32 kt | 3 °C | 88 kt | 3 h 05 min | 2:44 am EDT (06:44 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 34 kt | +34 kt | -1 °C | 86 kt | 3 h 10 min | 2:49 am EDT (06:49 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 36 kt | +36 kt | -6 °C | 84 kt | 3 h 14 min | 2:53 am EDT (06:53 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 37 kt | +37 kt | -9 °C | 83 kt | 3 h 17 min | 2:56 am EDT (06:56 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 48 kt | +47 kt | -21 °C | 73 kt | 3 h 44 min | 3:23 am EDT (07:23 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 84 kt | +85 kt | -31 °C | 35 kt | 7 h 46 min | 7:25 am EDT (11:25 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 99 kt | +99 kt | -40 °C | 21 kt | 12 h 57 min | 12:36 pm EDT (16:36 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 81 kt | +81 kt | -51 °C | 39 kt | 6 h 58 min | 6:37 am EDT (10:37 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDL | used from 0 nm out; 24 nm from the line | 120/24 | 290/23 12° | 280/21 8° | 250/36 3° | 250/41 -11° | 230/48 -21° | 230/78 -32° | 230/96 -41° | 230/86 -52° |
| JFK | used from 49 nm out; 30 nm from the line | 250/18 | 250/23 14° | 240/33 9° | 240/33 4° | 240/38 -10° | 240/45 -21° | 230/86 -32° | 230/102 -40° | 230/84 -51° |
| ACY | used from 146 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 220/19 | 220/18 14° | 210/36 9° | 210/35 5° | 220/36 -8° | 240/49 -21° | 220/90 -31° | 230/103 -40° | 230/81 -50° |
| RIC | used from 243 nm out; 94 nm from the line | 270/23 | 280/19 11° | 270/18 8° | 240/22 4° | 230/39 -7° | 220/55 -18° | 220/75 -30° | 230/83 -39° | 230/64 -50° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDL Windsor Locks, CT | departure | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,900 feet Weather: light rain | from the north (360°) at 12 knots | 9 mi | 600 ft | 173 ft | 10:51 pm EDT (02:51 UTC) |
| OXC Oxford, CT | 29 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet Weather: light rain | from the north-northeast (030°) at 10 knots, gusting to 19 | 9 mi | 600 ft | 730 ft | 02:56 UTC |
| DXR Danbury, CT | 49 nm out, 2 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 700 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the north-northeast (030°) at 6 knots | 2.5 mi | 700 ft | 456 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| CDW Caldwell, NJ | 97 nm out, 1 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 700 feet, a broken layer at 1,200 feet, overcast at 2,000 feet Weather: mist | from the northeast (040°) at 4 knots | 6 mi | 1,200 ft | 172 ft | 03:11 UTC |
| TTN Trenton, NJ | 136 nm out, 9 nm southeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet Weather: light rain | from the north (010°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 600 ft | 212 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| ILG Wilmington, DE | 194 nm out, 11 nm east of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 11 knots, gusting to 17 | 3 mi | 500 ft | 79 ft | 02:51 UTC |
| MTN Baltimore, MD | 233 nm out, 2 nm northeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: rain | from the north-northeast (030°) at 3 knots | 5 mi | 500 ft | 22 ft | 03:15 UTC |
| DCA Washington, DC | destination | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light drizzle, mist | from the north-northeast (020°) at 7 knots | 5 mi | 500 ft | 14 ft | 10:52 pm EDT (02:52 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 730 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, 2:14 am EDT (06:14 UTC)
Wind from the north at 7 knots, visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 800 feet IFR
The whole forecast for DCA
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 7 knots, visibility 5 miles, light 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 BDL, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north at 8 knots, visibility 4 miles, rain, mist, a few clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,200 feet and more above
- From Sun 9:00 pm EDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 5 knots, visibility 2 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 12:00 am EDT (04:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 7 knots, visibility 3 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 8 knots, visibility 4 miles, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC) and 4:00 am EDT (08:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, light rain showers, mist, overcast at 100 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the north at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 4:00 pm EDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 5/2811 NEW YORK, NY, Monday, October 20, 2025 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026 Local 13 nm from the route, 87 nm along the route · security · until 20 October · ZNY
- 6/8800 Baltimore, MD, Saturday, October 17, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 5 nm from the route, 243 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Saturday 17 October · ZDC
- 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 BDL 6:14 pm EDT (22:14 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 before sunrise there (7:14 am EDT (11:14 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: Bradley International, Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport.