Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport to John F Kennedy International DCA → JFK
185 nautical miles (213 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 053°, about 064° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 54 min at the quickest height in today's winds (39,000 ft, a 86-knot tailwind), arriving about 8:43 pm EDT (00:43 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DCA is IFR, wind from the north-northeast (020°) at 9 knots; JFK is IFR, wind from the east-northeast (060°) at 14 knots, gusting to 28. 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: 5,223 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 E12E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 30 knots, until 8:55 pm EDT (00:55 UTC). Over the first 146 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS31 KKCI 112255 MKCE WST 112255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 12E VALID UNTIL 0055Z NJ PA DE MD VA DC WV AND NJ CSTL WTRS FROM 30WNW SAX-40ESE CYN-20SW DCA-50SSE JST-30WNW SAX AREA EMBD TS MOV FROM 24030KT. 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 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the last 136 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Near the route, 88 nm along 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
- urgent CL60 at 800 ft, 26 nm north, 6:44 pm EDT (22:44 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: low-level wind shear +10/-10 during the descent onf runway 16. At the destination end, 26 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
HPN UUA /OV HPN/TM 2244/FL008/TP CL60/TB MOD CHOP/RM LLWS +10/-10 DURD ONF RWY16
- Report
- an urgent report filed through HPN
- Where
- over HPN
- Time
- 22:44 UTC
- Height
- at 800 ft
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear +10/-10 during the descent onf runway 16
- urgent E55P at 100 ft, 26 nm north, 6:16 pm EDT (22:16 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: low-level wind shear +10/-10 knots during the descent on final runway 16. At the destination end, 26 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
HPN UUA /OV HPN/TM 2216/FL001/TP E55P/TB MOD CHOP/RM LLWS +10/-10 KTS DURD ON FINAL RWY16
- Report
- an urgent report filed through HPN
- Where
- over HPN
- Time
- 22:16 UTC
- Height
- at 100 ft
- Aircraft
- E55P
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear +10/-10 knots during the descent on final runway 16
- B38M at 25,000 ft, 3 nm southeast, 6:25 pm EDT (22:25 UTC): moderate turbulence. 117 nm along the route, 3 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
TEB UA /OV 3958N 07457W/TM 2225/FL250/TP B38M/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through TEB
- Where
- 3958N 07457W
- Time
- 22:25 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- moderate
- A333 at 3,000 ft, 24 nm southeast, 7:10 pm EDT (23:10 UTC): moderate turbulence. 175 nm along the route, 24 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
JFK UA /OV JFK180025/TM 2310/FL030/TP A333/TB MOD TURB
- Report
- a routine report filed through JFK
- Where
- 25 nm south (180°) of JFK
- Time
- 23:10 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A333
- Turbulence
- moderate turbulence
- TBM9 descending, 32 nm east, 7:45 pm EDT (23:45 UTC): moderate turbulence, a broken layer above 700 ft. At the destination end, 32 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ISP UA /OV ISP/TM 2345/FLDURD/TP TBM9/SK BKN007/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ISP
- Where
- over ISP
- Time
- 23:45 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- TBM9
- Sky
- a broken layer from 700 ft
- Turbulence
- moderate
- A32N , 1 nm southeast, 7:01 pm EDT (23:01 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the destination end, 1 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
JFK UA /OV JFK10008/TM 2301/FL3000/TP A32N/TB MOD TURB
- Report
- a routine report filed through JFK
- Where
- JFK10008
- Time
- 23:01 UTC
- Height
- at 300,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A32N
- Turbulence
- moderate turbulence
- TBM9 descending, 32 nm east, 6:55 pm EDT (22:55 UTC): moderate turbulence, a broken layer above 700 ft. At the destination end, 32 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
ISP UA /OV ISP/TM 2255/FLDURD/TP TBM9/SK BKN007/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through ISP
- Where
- over ISP
- Time
- 22:55 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- TBM9
- Sky
- a broken layer from 700 ft
- Turbulence
- moderate
- CL60 descending, 24 nm west, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. At the departure end, 24 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV HEF160001/TM 2330/FLDURD/TP CL60/SK OVC 005
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 1 nm south (160°) of HEF
- Time
- 23:30 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
- CL60 at 500 ft, 23 nm west, 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC): overcast above 500 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 23 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
HEF UA /OV KHEF150001/TM 2330/FL005/TP CL60/SK OVC005/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through HEF
- Where
- 1 nm southeast (150°) of KHEF
- Time
- 23:30 UTC
- Height
- at 500 ft
- Aircraft
- CL60
- Sky
- overcast from 500 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- CRJ9 at 7,000 ft, 12 nm northwest, 7:17 pm EDT (23:17 UTC): overcast from 500 ft to 7,200 ft. At the departure end, 12 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DCA UA /OV DCA320012/TM 2317/FL070/TP CRJ9/SK BASES 005 OVC TOPS 072
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- 12 nm northwest (320°) of DCA
- Time
- 23:17 UTC
- Height
- at 7,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- bases 500 ft overcast tops 7,200 ft
- B39M at 2,000 ft, 25 nm west, 7:03 pm EDT (23:03 UTC): overcast above 700 ft. At the departure end, 25 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV AML320005/TM 2303/FL020/TP B39M/SK BASES OVC 007
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 5 nm northwest (320°) of AML
- Time
- 23:03 UTC
- Height
- at 2,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B39M
- Sky
- bases overcast at 700 ft
- A319 descending, 21 nm west, 6:25 pm EDT (22:25 UTC): overcast above 700 ft, light rain. At the departure end, 21 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV RWY 1R/TM 2225/FLDURD/TP A319/SK OVC 007/WX 4SM W/ -RA
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- runway 1R
- Time
- 22:25 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A319
- Sky
- overcast from 700 ft
- Weather
- 4SM, west, light rain
- BE58 at 3,000 ft, 24 nm west, 6:22 pm EDT (22:22 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 24 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAD UA /OV AML300003/TM 2222/FL030/TP BE58/SK BASES009 OVC
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAD
- Where
- 3 nm northwest (300°) of AML
- Time
- 22:22 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE58
- Sky
- BASES009 overcast
- A319 descending, 0 nm north, 5:28 pm EDT (21:28 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 2128/FLDURD/TP A319/SK BASES 400 FT
- Report
- a routine report filed through DCA
- Where
- runway 1 final
- Time
- 21:28 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A319
- Sky
- bases 40,000 ft 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 2 forecast points nearest it (ACY, JFK). 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 | 200° at 16 kt | −13 kt | 133 kt | 1 h 23 min | 9:12 pm EDT (01:12 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 210° at 21 kt | −19 kt | 139 kt | 1 h 20 min | 9:09 pm EDT (01:09 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 220° at 25 kt | −24 kt | 13 °C | 144 kt | 1 h 17 min | 9:06 pm EDT (01:06 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 28 kt | −28 kt | 10 °C | 148 kt | 1 h 15 min | 9:04 pm EDT (01:04 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | −27 kt | 7 °C | 147 kt | 1 h 16 min | 9:05 pm EDT (01:05 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 30 kt | −30 kt | 3 °C | 150 kt | 1 h 14 min | 9:03 pm EDT (01:03 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 34 kt | −34 kt | -2 °C | 154 kt | 1 h 12 min | 9:01 pm EDT (01:01 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 39 kt | −39 kt | -6 °C | 159 kt | 1 h 10 min | 8:59 pm EDT (00:59 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 40 kt | −40 kt | -7 °C | 160 kt | 1 h 09 min | 8:58 pm EDT (00:58 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 51 kt | −51 kt | -17 °C | 171 kt | 1 h 05 min | 8:54 pm EDT (00:54 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 72 kt | −72 kt | -31 °C | 192 kt | 58 min | 8:47 pm EDT (00:47 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 80 kt | −80 kt | -41 °C | 200 kt | 56 min | 8:45 pm EDT (00:45 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 86 kt | −86 kt | -53 °C | 206 kt | 54 min | 8:43 pm EDT (00:43 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACY | used from 0 nm out; 97 nm from the line | 230/15 | 230/22 15° | 230/31 11° | 230/27 6° | 230/40 -7° | 230/51 -17° | 230/71 -31° | 230/81 -41° | 230/86 -53° |
| JFK | used from 146 nm out; 19 nm from the line | 140/43 | 170/35 13° | 230/18 9° | 250/25 5° | 240/40 -7° | 230/50 -17° | 230/75 -31° | 230/78 -41° | 230/88 -53° |
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 700 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 700 ft | 14 ft | 6:52 pm EDT (22:52 UTC) |
| MTN Baltimore, MD | 39 nm out, 6 nm north of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet | calm | 7 mi | 500 ft | 22 ft | 23:44 UTC |
| ILG Wilmington, DE | 88 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 500 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet Weather: rain | from the northeast (050°) at 15 knots | 5 mi | 500 ft | 79 ft | 22:51 UTC |
| PHL Philadelphia, PA | 107 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 2,600 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the east-northeast (060°) at 9 knots | 3 mi | 900 ft | 35 ft | 23:16 UTC |
| MMU Morristown, NJ | 165 nm out, 24 nm northwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet Weather: rain | from the northeast (050°) at 9 knots, gusting to 13 | 3 mi | 900 ft | 186 ft | 23:45 UTC |
| JFK New York, NY | destination | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the east-northeast (060°) at 14 knots, gusting to 28 | 6 mi | 900 ft | 13 ft | 7:07 pm EDT (23:07 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 186 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At JFK when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:43 pm EDT (00:43 UTC)
Wind from the northeast at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility 5 miles, light rain showers, mist, scattered clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 600 feet IFR
The whole forecast for JFK
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 15 knots, gusting to 25, visibility 5 miles, light rain showers, mist, scattered clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 600 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 12 knots, visibility 6 miles, mist, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 400 feet, overcast at 600 feet
- At times between Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC) and 3:00 am EDT (07:00 UTC): a broken layer at 400 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 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 · starts tomorrow · ZDC
- 6/8800 Baltimore, MD, Saturday, October 17, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 8 nm from the route, 29 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Saturday 17 October · ZDC
- 5/2811 NEW YORK, NY, Monday, October 20, 2025 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026 Local 11 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 20 October · ZNY
Daylight
Sunset at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC), at JFK 6:19 pm EDT (22:19 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:47 pm EDT (22:47 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at JFK is after sunset there (6:21 pm EDT (22:21 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, John F Kennedy International.