Charlotte/Douglas International to Albany International CLT → ALB
562 nautical miles (646 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 034°, about 041° magnetic at the departure end (variation 7W). At 120 knots that is 4 h 32 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 4-knot tailwind), arriving about 10:16 am EDT (14:16 UTC). Right now CLT is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) at 4 knots; ALB is low IFR, wind from the northwest (320°) 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: 2,195 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 E31E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 30,000 ft, until 6:55 am EDT (10:55 UTC). Near the route, 256 nm along the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 120855 MKCE WST 120855 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 31E VALID UNTIL 1055Z MD VA DC FROM 20NNE DCA-30WSW SBY-RIC-CSN-20NNE DCA AREA TS MOV LTL. TOPS TO FL300.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 59 to 345 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 29,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Near the route, 69 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, fog). Over the last 434 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 227 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the last 138 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 CLT.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B737 at 700 ft, 29 nm southeast, 5:33 am EDT (09:33 UTC): remarks: light rain. 315 nm along the route, 29 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 0933/FL007/TP B737/RM LIGHT RAIN
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 09:33 UTC
- Height
- at 700 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- light rain
- B737 at 800 ft, 29 nm southeast, 3:30 am EDT (07:30 UTC): remarks: bases 800 ft. 315 nm along the route, 29 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 0730/FL008/TP B737/RM BASES 008
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 07:30 UTC
- Height
- at 800 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Remarks
- bases 800 ft
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 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 6 forecast points nearest it (GSP, ROA, RIC, PSB, AVP, ALB). 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 | 340° at 25 kt | +14 kt | 106 kt | 5 h 18 min | 11:02 am EDT (15:02 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 350° at 24 kt | +18 kt | 12 °C | 102 kt | 5 h 31 min | 11:15 am EDT (15:15 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 350° at 24 kt | +17 kt | 10 °C | 103 kt | 5 h 27 min | 11:11 am EDT (15:11 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 350° at 24 kt | +16 kt | 7 °C | 104 kt | 5 h 24 min | 11:08 am EDT (15:08 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 340° at 25 kt | +15 kt | 4 °C | 105 kt | 5 h 21 min | 11:05 am EDT (15:05 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 340° at 26 kt | +14 kt | 0 °C | 106 kt | 5 h 18 min | 11:02 am EDT (15:02 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 330° at 28 kt | +14 kt | -4 °C | 106 kt | 5 h 18 min | 11:02 am EDT (15:02 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 330° at 30 kt | +13 kt | -8 °C | 107 kt | 5 h 15 min | 10:59 am EDT (14:59 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 330° at 31 kt | +13 kt | -9 °C | 107 kt | 5 h 15 min | 10:59 am EDT (14:59 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 340° at 36 kt | +18 kt | -21 °C | 102 kt | 5 h 31 min | 11:15 am EDT (15:15 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 340° at 40 kt | +20 kt | -35 °C | 100 kt | 5 h 37 min | 11:21 am EDT (15:21 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 330° at 40 kt | +15 kt | -41 °C | 105 kt | 5 h 21 min | 11:05 am EDT (15:05 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 300° at 36 kt | −4 kt | -49 °C | 124 kt | 4 h 32 min | 10:16 am EDT (14:16 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GSP | used from 0 nm out; 86 nm from the line | 340/30 | 360/24 13° | 350/29 10° | 340/33 6° | 340/40 -7° | 350/44 -19° | 340/59 -31° | 350/55 -41° | 300/29 -50° |
| ROA | used from 49 nm out; 66 nm from the line | 310/32 | 340/32 14° | 350/25 9° | 340/24 3° | 340/42 -8° | 340/52 -20° | 350/62 -34° | 350/64 -39° | 310/44 -48° |
| RIC | used from 197 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 350/34 | 340/27 12° | 340/36 8° | 330/31 3° | 310/32 -9° | 320/34 -21° | 300/37 -34° | 290/37 -39° | 290/42 -46° |
| PSB | used from 296 nm out; 92 nm from the line | 020/21 12° | 360/28 7° | 360/29 1° | 350/33 -10° | 350/42 -22° | 350/49 -37° | 340/63 -43° | 350/39 -52° | |
| AVP | used from 345 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 010/20 | 020/24 11° | 360/19 8° | 350/23 2° | 320/24 -11° | 330/25 -22° | 330/27 -37° | 310/28 -42° | 290/30 -50° |
| ALB | used from 493 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 340/22 | 340/19 9° | 320/16 7° | 330/16 2° | 330/19 -11° | 320/21 -23° | 320/25 -39° | 280/30 -44° | 270/41 -51° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLT Charlotte, NC | departure | VFR | from the west-southwest (250°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 747 ft | 4:52 am EDT (08:52 UTC) |
| JQF Concord, NC | 20 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 704 ft | 09:35 UTC |
| INT Winston Salem, NC | 69 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 969 ft | 08:54 UTC |
| LYH Lynchburg, VA | 148 nm out, 5 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Weather: mist | calm | 4 mi | none | 938 ft | 09:19 UTC |
| CHO Charlottesville, VA | 217 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 9,500 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 3,000 ft | 640 ft | 08:53 UTC |
| IAD Washington, DC | 276 nm out, 8 nm east of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,000 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet Weather: mist | from the north-northwest (330°) at 11 knots | 6 mi | 1,000 ft | 312 ft | 08:52 UTC |
| JYO Leesburg, VA | 286 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,400 feet | from the north (350°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 1,400 ft | 389 ft | 09:35 UTC |
| LNS Lancaster, PA | 365 nm out, 9 nm east of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,000 feet, overcast at 1,600 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 1,000 ft | 402 ft | 09:06 UTC |
| RDG Reading, PA | 394 nm out, 12 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,600 feet | from the north (360°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 1,600 ft | 343 ft | 08:54 UTC |
| MSV Monticello, NY | 483 nm out, 5 nm east of the line | IFR Sky: scattered clouds at 200 feet, overcast at 800 feet Weather: mist | from the northwest (320°) at 3 knots | 2 mi | 800 ft | 1,403 ft | 09:39 UTC |
| ALB Albany, NY | destination | low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 300 feet, a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 3,400 feet Weather: light drizzle, mist | from the northwest (320°) at 3 knots | 4 mi | 300 ft | 284 ft | 4:58 am EDT (08:58 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,403 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ALB when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:16 am EDT (14:16 UTC)
Wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 3,000 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for ALB
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north at 4 knots, visibility 4 miles, light drizzle, mist, a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet
- At times between Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC) and 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, light drizzle, mist, overcast at 500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 5 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 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 west-northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 3,000 feet
The forecast for CLT, the departure
- From Mon 4:00 am EDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm EDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 11 nm from the route, 286 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 4 nm from the route, 286 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at CLT 6:52 pm EDT (22:52 UTC), at ALB 6:18 pm EDT (22:18 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:46 pm EDT (22:46 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: Charlotte/Douglas International, Albany International.