The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Plan a flight · Sun 9:51 pm EDT (01:51 UTC)

Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl Airport to San Antonio International DCA → SAT

1,198 nautical miles (1,379 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 249°, about 260° magnetic at the departure end (variation 11W). At 120 knots that is 10 h 48 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 9-knot headwind), arriving about 7:39 am CDT (12:39 UTC). Right now DCA is low IFR, wind from the north-northeast (030°) at 9 knots; SAT is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) at 11 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: 688 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.

The return flight

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 3E: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the west at 15 knots, until 10:55 pm EDT (02:55 UTC). Over the route from 10 to 240 nm out.
    as issued
    WSUS31 KKCI 120055
    MKCE WST 120055
    CONVECTIVE SIGMET 3E
    VALID UNTIL 0255Z
    PA MD VA NC WV OH KY
    FROM 20NE APE-30SE JST-30SSE DCA-40SW ECG-70NNW HMV-20NE APE
    AREA TS MOV FROM 28015KT. TOPS TO FL310.
  • 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 429 nm of the route.
  • AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the first 70 nm of the route.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 80 to 419 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 8,000 ft. Near the route, 230 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

  • E170 at 22,500 ft, 46 nm north, 7:44 pm EDT (23:44 UTC): moderate clear-air turbulence from 18,000 ft to 22,500 ft, remarks: during the descent FRDMM7 star. 60 nm along the route, 46 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    OKV UA /OV ESL100020/TM 2344/FL225/TP E170/TB CONS MOD CAT 180-225/RM DURD FRDMM7 STAR
    Report
    a routine report filed through OKV
    Where
    20 nm east (100°) of ESL
    Time
    23:44 UTC
    Height
    at 22,500 ft
    Aircraft
    E170
    Turbulence
    continuous moderate clear-air turbulence from 18,000 ft to 22,500 ft
    Remarks
    during the descent FRDMM7 star
  • PA46 at 23,000 ft, 43 nm southeast, 7:28 pm EDT (23:28 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 22,000 ft to 23,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-44. 270 nm along the route, 43 nm southeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    TRI UA /OV HMV090010/TM 2328/FL230/TP PA46/TB LGT- MOD CHOP 230-220/RM ZTLFD-44
    Report
    a routine report filed through TRI
    Where
    10 nm east (090°) of HMV
    Time
    23:28 UTC
    Height
    at 23,000 ft
    Aircraft
    PA46
    Turbulence
    light moderate chop from 23,000 ft to 22,000 ft
    Remarks
    ZTLFD-44
  • A321 at 30,000 ft, 16 nm north, 7:45 pm EDT (23:45 UTC): moderate turbulence. 310 nm along the route, 16 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    IND UA /OV AZQ170020/TM 2345/FL300/TP A321/TB MOD
    Report
    a routine report filed through IND
    Where
    20 nm south (170°) of AZQ
    Time
    23:45 UTC
    Height
    at 30,000 ft
    Aircraft
    A321
    Turbulence
    moderate
  • BE40 at 29,000 ft, 2 nm northwest, 7:22 pm EDT (23:22 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 26,000 ft to 29,000 ft, remarks: zme. 589 nm along the route, 2 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    TUP UA /OV TUP045041/TM 2322/FL290/TP BE40/TB OCNL MOD CHOP 290-260/RM ZME
    Report
    a routine report filed through TUP
    Where
    41 nm northeast (045°) of TUP
    Time
    23:22 UTC
    Height
    at 29,000 ft
    Aircraft
    BE40
    Turbulence
    occasional moderate chop from 29,000 ft to 26,000 ft
    Remarks
    zme
  • 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
  • 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
  • B763 at 500 ft, 26 nm northeast, 7:50 pm EDT (23:50 UTC): a broken layer above 500 ft. At the departure end, 26 nm northeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    BWI UA /OV BWI/TM 2350/FL005/TP B763/SK BKN005
    Report
    a routine report filed through BWI
    Where
    over BWI
    Time
    23:50 UTC
    Height
    at 500 ft
    Aircraft
    B763
    Sky
    a broken layer from 500 ft
  • C17 at 500 ft, 8 nm east, 7:42 pm EDT (23:42 UTC): overcast above 500 ft. At the departure end, 8 nm east of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    KADW UA /OV RWY 1L ARR/TM 2342/FL005/TP C17/SK OVC005
    Report
    a routine report filed through KADW
    Where
    runway 1L arrival
    Time
    23:42 UTC
    Height
    at 500 ft
    Aircraft
    C17
    Sky
    overcast from 500 ft
  • B738 at 7,000 ft, 20 nm north, 7:40 pm EDT (23:40 UTC): overcast above 40,000 ft, remarks: top 6,500 ft. At the departure end, 20 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    BWI UA /OV BAL280010/TM 2340/FL070/TP B738/SK OVC004/RM TOP 065
    Report
    a routine report filed through BWI
    Where
    10 nm west (280°) of BAL
    Time
    23:40 UTC
    Height
    at 7,000 ft
    Aircraft
    B738
    Sky
    overcast from 400 ft
    Remarks
    top 6,500 ft
  • CRJ9 at 7,000 ft, 12 nm north, 7:17 pm EDT (23:17 UTC): overcast from 500 ft to 7,200 ft. At the departure end, 12 nm north 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
  • FA8X climbing, 15 nm northwest, 8:34 pm EDT (00:34 UTC): overcast above 1,000 ft. At the departure end, 15 nm northwest 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

11 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 13 forecast points nearest it (RIC, EKN, ROA, CRW, TRI, TYS, BNA, HSV, MEM, JAN, SHV, CLL, SAT). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
4,500 ft270° at 10 kt+9 kt12 °C111 kt10 h 48 min7:39 am CDT (12:39 UTC)
6,500 ft280° at 13 kt+10 kt14 °C110 kt10 h 53 min7:44 am CDT (12:44 UTC)
8,500 ft280° at 14 kt+11 kt11 °C109 kt10 h 59 min7:50 am CDT (12:50 UTC)
10,500 ft290° at 14 kt+10 kt8 °C110 kt10 h 53 min7:44 am CDT (12:44 UTC)
12,500 ft290° at 15 kt+9 kt4 °C111 kt10 h 48 min7:39 am CDT (12:39 UTC)
14,500 ft290° at 17 kt+11 kt0 °C109 kt10 h 59 min7:50 am CDT (12:50 UTC)
16,500 ft290° at 18 kt+12 kt-3 °C108 kt11 h 06 min7:57 am CDT (12:57 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180290° at 19 kt+13 kt-6 °C107 kt11 h 12 min8:03 am CDT (13:03 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240280° at 23 kt+18 kt-17 °C102 kt11 h 45 min8:36 am CDT (13:36 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300280° at 31 kt+24 kt-31 °C96 kt12 h 29 min9:20 am CDT (14:20 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340280° at 31 kt+23 kt-40 °C97 kt12 h 21 min9:12 am CDT (14:12 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390280° at 30 kt+22 kt-50 °C98 kt12 h 13 min9:04 am CDT (14:04 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
PointFrom3,0006,0009,00012,00018,00024,00030,00034,00039,000
RICused from 0 nm out; 72 nm from the line190/33200/29 14°210/31 12°210/38 6°230/42 -7°230/68 -16°220/84 -29°220/86 -40°220/81 -52°
EKNused from 50 nm out; 70 nm from the line270/18 13°310/5 7°140/7 3°210/16 -9°220/41 -20°210/57 -32°220/57 -38°230/49 -47°
ROAused from 100 nm out; 50 nm from the line280/9290/15 12°290/11 8°210/6 3°210/30 -6°220/46 -19°210/74 -30°220/78 -39°220/64 -48°
CRWused from 200 nm out; 59 nm from the line320/16310/16 12°320/12 7°320/12 2°330/15 -11°280/11 -22°230/26 -30°240/33 -37°240/37 -47°
TRIused from 250 nm out; 35 nm from the line310/28 11°320/32 7°330/30 2°300/28 -9°280/34 -21°250/37 -31°240/39 -38°250/35 -48°
TYSused from 349 nm out; 35 nm from the line290/19310/22 11°330/25 7°330/34 3°320/37 -7°300/37 -18°300/37 -34°280/29 -39°270/29 -48°
BNAused from 449 nm out; 41 nm from the line280/13340/34 16°330/38 10°330/44 5°330/39 -8°330/38 -19°320/49 -34°330/53 -40°330/35 -47°
HSVused from 499 nm out; 38 nm from the line290/15330/34 16°330/38 11°330/40 5°320/36 -7°320/31 -18°320/44 -34°330/53 -41°330/34 -48°
MEMused from 599 nm out; 68 nm from the line240/9280/14 17°280/20 12°290/25 5°320/25 -6°330/31 -18°320/52 -32°330/58 -41°320/42 -50°
JANused from 699 nm out; 85 nm from the line260/6310/14 17°280/13 12°290/19 6°310/22 -5°310/28 -17°320/44 -32°330/48 -41°320/52 -51°
SHVused from 799 nm out; 82 nm from the line190/11230/19 17°230/26 12°260/15 7°280/16 -4°300/17 -15°300/34 -30°300/31 -41°310/42 -52°
CLLused from 998 nm out; 49 nm from the line160/18190/18 16°200/19 12°220/14 7°260/18 -5°250/20 -13°290/29 -29°290/31 -40°300/22 -53°
SATused from 1148 nm out; 25 nm from the line130/22140/24 18°170/19 13°190/13 7°240/15 -4°220/14 -13°270/11 -28°280/10 -40°310/18 -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

AirportWhereConditionsWindVisibilityCeilingElevationReported
DCA Washington, DC departure low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist from the north-northeast (030°) at 9 knots 6 mi 400 ft 14 ft 8:52 pm EDT (00:52 UTC)
HEF Washington, DC 20 nm out, 4 nm west of the line, tower IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: light rain from the north (350°) at 7 knots 3 mi 500 ft 192 ft 00:56 UTC
LWB Lewisburg, WV 170 nm out, 5 nm north of the line, tower marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,200 feet Weather: light rain calm 3 mi 1,200 ft 2,301 ft 22:51 UTC
LNP Wise, VA 280 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: light rain from the west (270°) at 6 knots 3 mi 400 ft 2,684 ft 23:35 UTC
RNC Mc Minnville, TN 459 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line low IFR Sky: scattered clouds at 100 feet Weather: fog calm 0.25 mi none 1,031 ft 01:35 UTC
GZS Pulaski, TN 529 nm out, 4 nm southeast of the line VFR calm 10+ mi none 688 ft 01:35 UTC
TUP Tupelo, MS 629 nm out, 11 nm southeast of the line, tower VFR calm 10+ mi none 346 ft 00:53 UTC
GLH Greenville, MS 749 nm out, 2 nm north of the line, tower VFR from the south (190°) at 7 knots 10+ mi none 130 ft 00:53 UTC
SHV Shreveport, LA 899 nm out, 20 nm northwest of the line, tower VFR Sky: a broken layer at 30,000 feet from the south (170°) at 4 knots 10+ mi 30,000 ft 257 ft 00:56 UTC
CLL College Station, TX 1068 nm out, 7 nm south of the line, tower VFR from the southeast (130°) at 7 knots 10+ mi none 320 ft 00:53 UTC
HYI Austin, TX 1158 nm out, 2 nm west of the line, tower VFR from the south-southeast (150°) at 8 knots 10+ mi none 594 ft 00:56 UTC
SAT San Antonio, TX destination VFR Sky: a few clouds at 20,000 feet from the south-southeast (150°) at 11 knots 10+ mi none 809 ft 7:51 pm CDT (00:51 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 2,684 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At SAT when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:39 am CDT (12:39 UTC)

Wind from the east-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,200 feet marginal VFR

The whole forecast for SAT
  • From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 6,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
  • From Mon 12:00 am CDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,200 feet
  • From Mon 6:00 am CDT (11:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 1,200 feet
  • From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
  • From Mon 2:00 pm CDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer 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 12 nm from the route, at the departure end · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
  • 6/5849 Austin, TX, Friday, October 2, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 16 nm from the route, 1148 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · until 12 October · ZHU

Daylight

Sunset at DCA 6:34 pm EDT (22:34 UTC), at SAT 7:06 pm CDT (00:06 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:30 pm CDT (00:30 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

Radar now, the Northeast
Radar now, the Northeast · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the Southeast
Radar now, the Southeast · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the lower Mississippi valley
Radar now, the lower Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service
Radar, the whole country
Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service
Surface analysis now
Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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, San Antonio International.