Boeing Fld/King County International to Raleigh-Durham International BFI → RDU
2,041 nautical miles (2,349 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 094°, about 079° magnetic at the departure end (variation 15E). At 120 knots that is 12 h 50 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 39-knot tailwind), arriving about 4:59 pm EDT (20:59 UTC). Right now BFI is VFR, wind calm; RDU is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) 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: 2 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 TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the route from 30 to 408 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 159 to 558 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 249 to 558 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 279 to 1006 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 568 to 757 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: 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 697 to 787 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Near the route, 737 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: 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 1115 to 1414 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, fog). Over the route from 1653 to 1932 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 1812 to 1952 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft. Over the last 139 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 29,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Near the route, at the destination end.
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 BFI.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- E73L descending, 40 nm south, 11:20 pm PDT (06:20 UTC): remarks: breaking action good broke out about 600FT above ground. 468 nm along the route, 40 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0620/FLDURD/TP E73L/RM BREAKING ACTION GOOD. BROKE OUT ABOUT 600FT AGL
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- over BZN
- Time
- 06:20 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- E73L
- Remarks
- breaking action good broke out about 600FT above ground
- B737 , 40 nm south, 10:31 pm PDT (05:31 UTC): remarks: saw the light at 500FT braking good no icing. 468 nm along the route, 40 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0531/FLBURD/TP B737/RM SAW THE LIGHT AT 500FT. BRAKING GOOD. NEG ICING
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- over BZN
- Time
- 05:31 UTC
- Height
- at BURD
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- saw the light at 500FT braking good no icing
- B739 at 35,000 ft, 37 nm northeast, 12:05 am PDT (07:05 UTC): no turbulence. 1514 nm along the route, 37 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
TIP UA /OV RBS010023/TM 0705/FL350/TP B739/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through TIP
- Where
- 23 nm north (010°) of RBS
- Time
- 07:05 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B739
- Turbulence
- none
- B752 climbing, 9 nm north, 12:37 am PDT (07:37 UTC): overcast. 1703 nm along the route, 9 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CVG UA /OV 5 W CVG/TM 0737/FLDURC/TP B752/SK B001 OVC T015
- Report
- a routine report filed through CVG
- Where
- 5 west cvg
- Time
- 07:37 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- B752
- Sky
- B001 overcast T015
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 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 21 forecast points nearest it (SEA, YKM, GEG, LWS, GPI, GTF, BIL, MLS, RAP, PIR, FSD, MCW, DSM, BRL, SPI, JOT, IND, CVG, CRW, ROA, RDU). 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 12 kt | −11 kt | 131 kt | 15 h 35 min | 7:44 pm EDT (23:44 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 260° at 5 kt | −4 kt | 8 °C | 124 kt | 16 h 28 min | 8:37 pm EDT (00:37 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 280° at 5 kt | −5 kt | 9 °C | 125 kt | 16 h 20 min | 8:29 pm EDT (00:29 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 270° at 6 kt | −6 kt | 4 °C | 126 kt | 16 h 12 min | 8:21 pm EDT (00:21 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 250° at 8 kt | −7 kt | 1 °C | 127 kt | 16 h 04 min | 8:13 pm EDT (00:13 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 250° at 10 kt | −9 kt | -2 °C | 129 kt | 15 h 49 min | 7:58 pm EDT (23:58 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 260° at 13 kt | −11 kt | -6 °C | 131 kt | 15 h 35 min | 7:44 pm EDT (23:44 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 260° at 16 kt | −14 kt | -10 °C | 134 kt | 15 h 14 min | 7:23 pm EDT (23:23 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 260° at 16 kt | −15 kt | -11 °C | 135 kt | 15 h 07 min | 7:16 pm EDT (23:16 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 270° at 19 kt | −18 kt | -22 °C | 138 kt | 14 h 47 min | 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 260° at 24 kt | −22 kt | -35 °C | 142 kt | 14 h 22 min | 6:31 pm EDT (22:31 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 270° at 38 kt | −36 kt | -40 °C | 156 kt | 13 h 05 min | 5:14 pm EDT (21:14 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 42 kt | −39 kt | -47 °C | 159 kt | 12 h 50 min | 4:59 pm EDT (20:59 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEA | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 050/7 | 050/11 1° | 050/12 -5° | 030/31 -7° | 010/61 -15° | 010/69 -26° | 360/73 -40° | 360/62 -47° | 330/21 -43° |
| YKM | used from 50 nm out; 52 nm from the line | 070/10 | 040/15 -1° | 020/27 -8° | 030/25 -13° | 020/48 -20° | 010/83 -27° | 010/77 -37° | 010/49 -40° | 350/14 -41° |
| GEG | used from 149 nm out; 30 nm from the line | 080/16 -2° | 050/17 -7° | 080/9 -10° | 190/33 -21° | 180/31 -32° | L/V -35° | L/V -37° | 270/8 -40° | |
| LWS | used from 249 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 070/10 | 080/12 -2° | 030/12 -6° | 080/7 -10° | 170/34 -21° | 160/46 -32° | 200/33 -35° | 220/22 -35° | 230/18 -38° |
| GPI | used from 299 nm out; 85 nm from the line | 070/19 -5° | 100/16 -7° | 080/10 -8° | 130/8 -19° | 170/37 -28° | 200/50 -40° | 210/43 -40° | 220/41 -42° | |
| GTF | used from 349 nm out; 88 nm from the line | 070/11 | 080/15 -7° | 110/19 -9° | 190/25 -14° | 200/34 -23° | 200/54 -39° | 220/66 -40° | 220/77 -44° | |
| BIL | used from 498 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 080/13 | 180/9 -2° | 210/38 0° | 220/51 -11° | 210/46 -22° | 210/58 -35° | 230/73 -39° | 230/72 -45° | |
| MLS | used from 647 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 150/23 2° | 190/29 4° | 210/44 2° | 220/32 -10° | 210/36 -21° | 200/48 -37° | 230/63 -40° | 240/71 -47° | |
| RAP | used from 747 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 180/23 12° | 200/38 13° | 210/38 6° | 220/28 -10° | 230/34 -21° | 230/37 -36° | 250/52 -38° | 250/59 -46° | |
| PIR | used from 846 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 170/22 19° | 190/25 13° | 210/32 6° | 240/23 -9° | 250/32 -21° | 250/38 -36° | 260/44 -40° | 260/52 -47° | |
| FSD | used from 996 nm out; 76 nm from the line | 190/9 | 230/30 18° | 240/23 13° | 240/20 6° | 260/22 -9° | 250/31 -21° | 250/43 -36° | 260/49 -43° | 270/53 -47° |
| MCW | used from 1195 nm out; 56 nm from the line | 220/44 | 250/30 17° | 230/14 12° | 240/17 6° | 250/22 -8° | 270/29 -20° | 250/34 -34° | 260/52 -43° | 260/59 -51° |
| DSM | used from 1245 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 230/40 | 250/33 17° | 250/18 12° | 240/17 5° | 260/28 -8° | 270/34 -19° | 260/41 -33° | 260/55 -41° | 270/62 -51° |
| BRL | used from 1344 nm out; 42 nm from the line | 230/24 | 240/29 15° | 290/16 10° | 280/15 4° | 260/23 -7° | 260/32 -19° | 260/36 -33° | 280/48 -41° | 280/59 -52° |
| SPI | used from 1444 nm out; 57 nm from the line | 220/21 | 250/23 16° | 260/27 9° | 270/14 6° | 270/23 -7° | 270/31 -19° | 270/28 -33° | 290/48 -42° | 300/55 -52° |
| JOT | used from 1494 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 250/23 | 270/22 15° | 250/16 10° | 240/9 4° | 280/22 -7° | 280/29 -19° | 300/29 -34° | 290/50 -43° | 300/64 -52° |
| IND | used from 1543 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 290/16 | 310/20 16° | 320/21 10° | 330/13 3° | 300/25 -7° | 320/32 -19° | 330/46 -34° | 320/61 -43° | 320/63 -50° |
| CVG | used from 1643 nm out; 37 nm from the line | 320/18 | 350/32 16° | 350/35 10° | 350/30 3° | 330/30 -7° | 340/44 -20° | 340/58 -35° | 330/72 -41° | 320/36 -49° |
| CRW | used from 1792 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 330/20 | 330/23 11° | 340/25 8° | 340/21 2° | 340/33 -9° | 340/41 -20° | 330/42 -35° | 320/44 -39° | 320/43 -47° |
| ROA | used from 1892 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 310/29 | 330/31 13° | 340/28 7° | 330/25 3° | 310/32 -8° | 300/32 -22° | 290/32 -31° | 270/35 -38° | 270/32 -47° |
| RDU | used from 1992 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 280/33 | 300/23 11° | 300/28 8° | 290/28 4° | 260/41 -6° | 240/52 -18° | 230/66 -31° | 230/76 -39° | 240/52 -49° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BFI Seattle, WA | departure | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 21 ft | 12:53 am PDT (07:53 UTC) |
| MWH Moses Lake, WA | 119 nm out, 9 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the north (350°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,188 ft | 07:52 UTC |
| MSO Missoula, MT | 339 nm out, 4 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,600 feet, overcast at 8,000 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 5 knots | 8 mi | 8,000 ft | 3,205 ft | 08:02 UTC |
| HLN Helena, MT | 428 nm out, 3 nm northwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,900 feet, overcast at 4,800 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the west (270°) at 9 knots | 4 mi | 4,800 ft | 3,877 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| EFC Belle Fourche, SD | 787 nm out, 23 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 3,190 ft | ||||
| PIR Pierre, SD | 936 nm out, 6 nm north of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the northeast (050°) at 8 knots | 2 mi | 400 ft | 1,744 ft | 07:53 UTC |
| FSD Sioux Falls, SD | 1095 nm out, 16 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northeast (020°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,430 ft | 07:56 UTC |
| MLI Moline, IL | 1394 nm out, 14 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 589 ft | 07:52 UTC |
| BMI Bloomington/Normal, IL | 1494 nm out, 8 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 871 ft | 07:56 UTC |
| BAK Columbus, IN | 1643 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 656 ft | 01:45 UTC |
| GSO Greensboro, NC | 1992 nm out, 20 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,800 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 925 ft | 07:54 UTC |
| RDU Raleigh/Durham, NC | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,500 feet, a few clouds at 7,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 435 ft | 3:51 am EDT (07:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 3,877 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At RDU when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 4:59 pm EDT (20:59 UTC)
Wind from the northwest at 11 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,500 feet VFR
The whole forecast for RDU
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet and more above
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 11 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,500 feet
- At times between Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC) and 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 12 knots, gusting to 22, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- From Mon 5:30 pm EDT (21:30 UTC): wind from the northwest at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for BFI, the departure
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 3:00 am PDT (10:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, patches of fog, clear skies
- From Mon 9:00 am PDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 12:00 pm PDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 2:00 pm PDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the west at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8029 Cincinnati, OH, Friday, October 9, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 8 nm from the route, 1703 nm along the route · a VIP movement · until 12 October · ZID
Daylight
Sunset at BFI 6:25 pm PDT (01:25 UTC), at RDU 6:43 pm EDT (22:43 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:09 pm EDT (23:09 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: Boeing Fld/King County International, Raleigh-Durham International.
