Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport to Key West International DCA → EYW
891 nautical miles (1,026 statute miles) south on a straight line, true course 197°, about 208° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 8 h 06 min at the quickest height in today's winds (6,500 ft, a 10-knot headwind), arriving about 7:02 am EDT (11:02 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DCA is IFR, wind from the north-northeast (020°) at 7 knots; EYW is VFR, wind from the east-northeast (060°) at 4 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: 1,142 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 SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the first 79 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 59 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 DCA.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A320 at 2,000 ft, 23 nm northeast, 9:46 pm EDT (01:46 UTC): a broken layer from 30,000 ft to 4,500 ft, remarks: CONLE5 sid. At the departure end, 23 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BAL180005/TM 0146/FL020/TP A320/SK BKN003-TOP045/RM CONLE5 SID
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- 5 nm south (180°) of BAL
- Time
- 01:46 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- a broken layer from 300 ft, tops 4,500 ft
- Remarks
- CONLE5 sid
- B738 at 2,000 ft, 23 nm northeast, 9:43 pm EDT (01:43 UTC): a broken layer from 40,000 ft to 7,200 ft, remarks: TERPZ8 sid. At the departure end, 23 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BAL260003/TM 0143/FL20/TP B738/SK BKN004-TOP072/RM TERPZ8 SID
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- 3 nm west (260°) of BAL
- Time
- 01:43 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- a broken layer from 400 ft, tops 7,200 ft
- Remarks
- TERPZ8 sid
- B38M at 400 ft, 0 nm north, 9:15 pm EDT (01:15 UTC): overcast above 40,000 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV DCA/TM 0115/FL004/TP B38M/SK OVC004
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- over DCA
- Time
- 01:15 UTC
- Height
- at 400 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Sky
- overcast from 400 ft
- FA8X climbing, 26 nm west, 8:34 pm EDT (00:34 UTC): overcast above 1,000 ft. At the departure end, 26 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV AML300005/TM 0034/FLDURC/TP FA8X/SK OVC010
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 5 nm northwest (300°) of AML
- Time
- 00:34 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- FA8X
- Sky
- overcast from 1,000 ft
- A320 descending, 0 nm north, 8:27 pm EDT (00:27 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 0 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV RWY 1 FINAL/TM 0027/FLDURD/TP A320/SK BASES 400 FT
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- runway 1 final
- Time
- 00:27 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- bases 40,000 ft ft
- A21N at 600 ft, 26 nm northeast, 8:23 pm EDT (00:23 UTC): a broken layer above 600 ft. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 0023/FL006/TP A21N/SK BKN006
- Report
- a routine report filed through BWI
- Where
- over BWI
- Time
- 00:23 UTC
- Height
- at 600 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Sky
- a broken layer from 600 ft
- A319 descending, 0 nm north, 8:02 pm EDT (00:02 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 0 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV RWY 1 DEPARTURE/TM 0002/FLDURC/TP A319/SK BASES 500 FT
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- runway 1 departure
- Time
- 00:02 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- A319
- Sky
- bases 50,000 ft ft
- BCS3 at 600 ft, 11 nm southeast, 8:06 pm EDT (00:06 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. 79 nm along the route, 11 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
RIC UA /OV RIC/TM 0006/FL006/TP BCS3/SK BASES 006
- Report
- a routine report filed through RIC
- Where
- over RIC
- Time
- 00:06 UTC
- Height
- at 600 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Sky
- bases 600 ft
- E145 at 1,800 ft, 39 nm east, 8:38 pm EDT (00:38 UTC): a broken layer from 1,800 ft to 3,000 ft. 267 nm along the route, 39 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ILM UA /OV ILM/TM 0038/FL018/TP E145/SK BKN018-TOP030
- Report
- a routine report filed through ILM
- Where
- over ILM
- Time
- 00:38 UTC
- Height
- at 1,800 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,800 ft, tops 3,000 ft
- E170 at 32,000 ft, 36 nm west, 9:02 pm EDT (01:02 UTC): light chop turbulence above 32,000 ft. 574 nm along the route, 36 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
OMN UA /OV OMN020030/TM 0102/FL320/TP E170/TB LGT CHOP 320
- Report
- a routine report filed through OMN
- Where
- 30 nm north (020°) of OMN
- Time
- 01:02 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- light chop at 32,000 ft
- E170 at 31,000 ft, 39 nm west, 9:07 pm EDT (01:07 UTC): no turbulence. 604 nm along the route, 39 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
OMN UA /OV OMN/TM 0107/FL310/TP E170/TB NEG
- Report
- a routine report filed through OMN
- Where
- over OMN
- Time
- 01:07 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- none
- C172 at 1,100 ft, 38 nm west, 9:12 pm EDT (01:12 UTC): no turbulence. 654 nm along the route, 38 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ORL UA /OV ORL/TM 0112/FL011/TP C172/TB SMOOTH
- Report
- a routine report filed through ORL
- Where
- over ORL
- Time
- 01:12 UTC
- Height
- at 1,100 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Turbulence
- smooth
- C172 at 1,100 ft, 38 nm west, 8:12 pm EDT (00:12 UTC): no turbulence. 654 nm along the route, 38 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
ORL UA /OV 1SM N/TM 0012/FL011/TP C172/TB SMOOTH
- Report
- a routine report filed through ORL
- Where
- 1SM north
- Time
- 00:12 UTC
- Height
- at 1,100 ft
- Aircraft
- C172
- Turbulence
- smooth
- PC12 at 19,000 ft, 31 nm west, 8:09 pm EDT (00:09 UTC): light rime icing, -7 °C. 683 nm along the route, 31 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
MCO UA /OV ORL180030/TM 0009/FL190/TP PC12/TA M07/IC LGT RIME
- Report
- a routine report filed through MCO
- Where
- 30 nm south (180°) of ORL
- Time
- 00:09 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Temperature
- −7 °C
- Icing
- light rime
1 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 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 10 forecast points nearest it (RIC, RDU, ILM, FLO, CHS, SAV, JAX, MLB, MIA, EYW). 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 15 kt | +11 kt | 109 kt | 8 h 10 min | 7:06 am EDT (11:06 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 250° at 16 kt | +10 kt | 14 °C | 110 kt | 8 h 06 min | 7:02 am EDT (11:02 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 240° at 22 kt | +15 kt | 13 °C | 105 kt | 8 h 29 min | 7:25 am EDT (11:25 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 240° at 25 kt | +18 kt | 10 °C | 102 kt | 8 h 44 min | 7:40 am EDT (11:40 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 240° at 27 kt | +21 kt | 7 °C | 99 kt | 9 h | 7:56 am EDT (11:56 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 240° at 30 kt | +24 kt | 2 °C | 96 kt | 9 h 17 min | 8:13 am EDT (12:13 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 34 kt | +26 kt | -2 °C | 94 kt | 9 h 29 min | 8:25 am EDT (12:25 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 36 kt | +29 kt | -5 °C | 91 kt | 9 h 47 min | 8:43 am EDT (12:43 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 44 kt | +38 kt | -16 °C | 82 kt | 10 h 52 min | 9:48 am EDT (13:48 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 50 kt | +47 kt | -30 °C | 73 kt | 12 h 12 min | 11:08 am EDT (15:08 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 210° at 54 kt | +53 kt | -41 °C | 67 kt | 13 h 18 min | 12:14 pm EDT (16:14 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 210° at 50 kt | +49 kt | -52 °C | 71 kt | 12 h 33 min | 11:29 am EDT (15:29 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIC | used from 0 nm out; 57 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° |
| RDU | used from 149 nm out; 37 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 248 nm out; 39 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° |
| FLO | used from 297 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 240/25 | 270/23 11° | 250/36 10° | 240/38 7° | 240/50 -4° | 230/66 -15° | 220/75 -30° | 210/77 -40° | 220/73 -52° |
| CHS | used from 347 nm out; 43 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° |
| SAV | used from 446 nm out; 90 nm from the line | 260/18 | 290/26 13° | 270/33 12° | 260/40 9° | 240/47 -5° | 230/53 -16° | 220/61 -31° | 210/64 -41° | 210/64 -52° |
| JAX | used from 495 nm out; 89 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 594 nm out; 51 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° |
| MIA | used from 743 nm out; 66 nm from the line | 190/8 | L/V 18° | 180/5 14° | L/V 9° | 190/10 -5° | 160/10 -16° | 150/13 -30° | 160/26 -40° | 150/23 -52° |
| EYW | used from 842 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 090/8 | 100/8 19° | L/V 14° | L/V 8° | 160/8 -5° | 170/8 -15° | 360/6 -32° | 050/8 -42° | 100/17 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DCA Washington, DC | departure | 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) |
| RIC Richmond, VA | 79 nm out, 11 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 feet, a few clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 30,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 10 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | 30,000 ft | 167 ft | 01:54 UTC |
| BKT Blackstone, VA | 119 nm out, 12 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 437 ft | 12:55 UTC |
| FAY Fayetteville, NC | 248 nm out, 19 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 6,000 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 189 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| MYR Myrtle Beach, SC | 327 nm out, 3 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 10 knots, gusting to 14 | 10+ mi | none | 25 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| MLB Melbourne, FL | 673 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 33 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| OBE Okeechobee, FL | 723 nm out, 6 nm east of the line | VFR | calm | 7 mi | none | 33 ft | 02:35 UTC |
| EYW Key West, FL | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,800 feet | from the east-northeast (060°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3 ft | 9:53 pm EDT (01:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 437 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At EYW when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:02 am EDT (11:02 UTC)
Wind from the east-northeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet VFR
The whole forecast for EYW
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the east-northeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet
The forecast for DCA, the departure
- 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
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA on the route, at the departure end · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 13 nm from the route, at the departure end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
- 6/8508 Johnsontown, NC 0 nm from the route, 257 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8900 Cape Canaveral, FL, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local on the route, 614 nm along the route · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZMA
- 6/8901 Cape Canaveral, FL, Thursday, October 15, 2026 Local on the route, 614 nm along the route · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts Thursday 15 October · ZJX
- 6/8896 Cape Canaveral, FL, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local on the route, 614 nm along the route · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts tomorrow · ZJX
- 6/8897 Cape Canaveral, FL, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local on the route, 614 nm along the route · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZJX
- 6/8898 Cape Canaveral, FL, Thursday, October 15, 2026 Local on the route, 614 nm along the route · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts Thursday 15 October · ZMA
- 6/8899 Cape Canaveral, FL, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local on the route, 614 nm along the route · a rocket launch or re-entry · starts tomorrow · ZMA
- 6/5945 Key West, FL 7 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · ZMA
- 6/0299 Key West, FL, Friday, June 26, 2026 through Saturday, October 17, 2026 Local 7 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 17 October · ZMA
Daylight
Sunset at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC), at EYW 7:03 pm EDT (23:03 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:26 pm EDT (23:26 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at EYW is before sunrise there (7:23 am EDT (11:23 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: Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport, Key West International.