Denver International to Fairbanks International DEN → FAI
2,107 nautical miles (2,425 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 330°, about 322° magnetic at the departure end (variation 8E). At 120 knots that is 16 h 51 min at the quickest height in today's winds (10,500 ft, a 5-knot tailwind), arriving about 9:23 am AKDT (17:23 UTC). Right now DEN is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (160°) at 17 knots, gusting to 23; FAI is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (250°) 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: 253 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 W70W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 32,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 7:55 pm MDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 140 to 350 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112355 MKCW WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 70W VALID UNTIL 0155Z MT WY FROM 30SSW MLS-60WNW BFF-40SSE OCS-10S BPI-10S BIL-30SSW MLS AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL320.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the first 649 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 409 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 120 to 539 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 150 to 379 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 260 to 649 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 14,000 ft. Near the route, 659 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 DEN.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent E545 at 6,000 ft, 18 nm southwest, 3:49 pm MDT (21:49 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 5 knots fap runway 17L. At the departure end, 18 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
APA UUA /OV APA350002/TM 2149/FL060/TP E545/RM LLWS +/- 5 KT FAP RWY 17L
- Report
- an urgent report filed through APA
- Where
- 2 nm north (350°) of APA
- Time
- 21:49 UTC
- Height
- at 6,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E545
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear + 5 knots fap runway 17L
- A21N at 32,000 ft, 46 nm northeast, 5:42 pm MDT (23:42 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-61. At the departure end, 46 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
AKO UA /OV AKO270030/TM 2342/FL320/TP A21N/TB INTMT MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-61
- Report
- a routine report filed through AKO
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of AKO
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- intermittent moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-61
- GLF5 at 45,000 ft, 38 nm south, 4:44 pm MDT (22:44 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-46. At the departure end, 38 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
COS UA /OV COS350025/TM 2244/FL450/TP GLF5/TB MOD /RM ZDVWC-46
- Report
- a routine report filed through COS
- Where
- 25 nm north (350°) of COS
- Time
- 22:44 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF5
- Turbulence
- moderate
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-46
- BCS3 at 24,000 ft, 3 nm west, 5:28 pm MDT (23:28 UTC): moderate turbulence from 22,000 ft to 24,000 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 3 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN320045/TM 2328/FL240/TP BCS3/TB MOD 240-220/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 45 nm northwest (320°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:28 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Turbulence
- moderate from 24,000 ft to 22,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent
- A319 at 22,000 ft, 14 nm southwest, 3:42 pm MDT (21:42 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-13. At the departure end, 14 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
BJC UA /OV BJC322047/TM 2142/FL220/TP A319/TB MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-13
- Report
- a routine report filed through BJC
- Where
- 47 nm northwest (322°) of BJC
- Time
- 21:42 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-13
- BE9L at 21,000 ft, 47 nm northeast, 5:22 pm MDT (23:22 UTC): light chop turbulence above 21,000 ft, moderate icing above 21,000 ft, -21 °C, remarks: zdvwc. 150 nm along the route, 47 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DGW UA /OV IIP200020/TM 2322/FL210/TP BE9L/SK BASE 200/TA M21/TB OCNL LGT CHOP 210/IC MOD MIX 210/RM ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DGW
- Where
- 20 nm south (200°) of IIP
- Time
- 23:22 UTC
- Height
- at 21,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BE9L
- Sky
- base 20,000 ft
- Temperature
- −21 °C
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop at 21,000 ft
- Icing
- moderate mix at 21,000 ft
- Remarks
- zdvwc
- A321 descending, 3 nm south, 6:26 pm MDT (00:26 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. At the departure end, 3 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0026/FLDURD/TP A321/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 00:26 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- A321
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- B737 at 14,000 ft, 28 nm south, 6:20 pm MDT (00:20 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: light to moderate from 14,000 ft to 16,000 ft occn light above 16,000 ft. At the departure end, 28 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN170025/TM 0020/FL140/TP B737/TB LGT-MOD/RM LGT-MOD 140-160 OCCN LGT ABOVE 160
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25 nm south (170°) of DEN
- Time
- 00:20 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- light to moderate
- Remarks
- light to moderate from 14,000 ft to 16,000 ft occn light above 16,000 ft
- A320 at 8,000 ft, 31 nm east, 5:42 pm MDT (23:42 UTC): light chop turbulence from 8,000 ft to 16,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 31 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN080030/TM 2342/FL080/TP A320/TB LGT CHOP 080-160/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 30 nm east (080°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:42 UTC
- Height
- at 8,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- light chop from 8,000 ft to 16,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
- B738 at 35,000 ft, 46 nm northeast, 5:30 pm MDT (23:30 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-07. At the departure end, 46 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
AKO UA /OV AKO270030/TM 2330/FL350/TP B738/TB CONS LGT /RM ZDVWC-07
- Report
- a routine report filed through AKO
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of AKO
- Time
- 23:30 UTC
- Height
- at 35,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- continuous light
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-07
- B737 at 6,500 ft, 3 nm south, 5:27 pm MDT (23:27 UTC): no turbulence. At the departure end, 3 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 2327/FL065/TP B737/TB NEG TB ON FINAL RWY17R
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 23:27 UTC
- Height
- at 6,500 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no turbulence on final runway 17R
- B737 descending, 3 nm south, 4:29 pm MDT (22:29 UTC): no turbulence up to 10,000 ft. At the departure end, 3 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 2229/FLDURD/TP B737/TB NEG BLO 100
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 22:29 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- no below 10,000 ft
- B737 at 15,000 ft, 21 nm east, 3:37 pm MDT (21:37 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: during the climb zdvwc. At the departure end, 21 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN080020/TM 2137/FL150/TP B737/TB CONS LGT OCNL CHOP 150-180/RM DURC ZDVWC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 20 nm east (080°) of DEN
- Time
- 21:37 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B737
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional chop from 15,000 ft to 18,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb zdvwc
- E75L at 10,000 ft, 11 nm northeast, 5:45 pm MDT (23:45 UTC): light turbulence up to 17,000 ft, remarks: during the climb. At the departure end, 11 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN350025/TM 2345/FL100/TP E75L/TB LGT SFC-170/RM DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 25 nm north (350°) of DEN
- Time
- 23:45 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- light from the surface to 17,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb
3 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 8 forecast points nearest it (DEN, BFF, LND, BIL, GTF, GPI, GEG, SEA). 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 | 040° at 11 kt | +1 kt | -3 °C | 119 kt | 17 h 42 min | 10:14 am AKDT (18:14 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 040° at 11 kt | +1 kt | -1 °C | 119 kt | 17 h 42 min | 10:14 am AKDT (18:14 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 090° at 5 kt | −4 kt | -3 °C | 124 kt | 17 h | 9:32 am AKDT (17:32 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 090° at 5 kt | −5 kt | -5 °C | 125 kt | 16 h 51 min | 9:23 am AKDT (17:23 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 080° at 4 kt | −5 kt | -8 °C | 125 kt | 16 h 51 min | 9:23 am AKDT (17:23 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 040° at 5 kt | −4 kt | -11 °C | 124 kt | 17 h | 9:32 am AKDT (17:32 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 020° at 7 kt | −2 kt | -14 °C | 122 kt | 17 h 16 min | 9:48 am AKDT (17:48 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 010° at 10 kt | −1 kt | -16 °C | 121 kt | 17 h 25 min | 9:57 am AKDT (17:57 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 350° at 17 kt | +5 kt | -25 °C | 115 kt | 18 h 19 min | 10:51 am AKDT (18:51 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 310° at 18 kt | +9 kt | -38 °C | 111 kt | 18 h 59 min | 11:31 am AKDT (19:31 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 290° at 20 kt | +9 kt | -42 °C | 111 kt | 18 h 59 min | 11:31 am AKDT (19:31 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 270° at 23 kt | +10 kt | -44 °C | 110 kt | 19 h 09 min | 11:41 am AKDT (19:41 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEN | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 190/31 16° | 210/32 7° | 240/41 -8° | 230/47 -21° | 240/56 -32° | 250/65 -37° | 250/61 -47° | ||
| BFF | used from 100 nm out; 112 nm from the line | 120/24 | 180/31 13° | 210/26 7° | 230/25 -7° | 240/41 -20° | 230/52 -36° | 250/56 -41° | 260/57 -45° | |
| LND | used from 150 nm out; 95 nm from the line | 180/33 10° | 190/50 3° | 210/59 -9° | 200/50 -21° | 190/41 -34° | 230/55 -39° | 240/65 -47° | ||
| BIL | used from 300 nm out; 81 nm from the line | 080/24 | 130/14 -1° | 180/33 0° | 210/43 -10° | 220/58 -21° | 200/55 -36° | 220/75 -44° | 240/83 -48° | |
| GTF | used from 449 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 070/21 | 080/18 -6° | 120/5 -5° | 180/30 -14° | 200/53 -24° | 210/80 -38° | 220/83 -44° | 230/68 -46° | |
| GPI | used from 599 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 060/19 -3° | 110/11 -8° | 130/6 -8° | 200/40 -19° | 190/58 -28° | 200/101 -39° | 220/73 -43° | 230/41 -43° | |
| GEG | used from 999 nm out; 376 nm from the line | 050/18 -2° | 060/19 -8° | L/V -11° | 160/11 -24° | 190/17 -31° | 200/19 -35° | 220/14 -37° | 250/11 -41° | |
| SEA | used from 1099 nm out; 457 nm from the line | 360/9 | 350/10 1° | 010/10 -5° | 030/20 -11° | 020/60 -17° | 010/86 -26° | 360/90 -40° | 010/68 -42° | 360/31 -43° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEN Denver, CO | departure | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 feet, a few clouds at 16,000 feet, a broken layer at 22,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 17 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 5,433 ft | 5:53 pm MDT (23:53 UTC) |
| FNL Fort Collins/Loveland, CO | 40 nm out, 5 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the north-northwest (330°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,020 ft | 23:56 UTC |
| RED Red Lodge, MT | 379 nm out, 3 nm southwest of the line | no report just now | 5,762 ft | ||||
| GTF Great Falls, MT | 539 nm out, 3 nm north of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 400 feet, overcast at 900 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the north-northeast (030°) at 11 knots | 0.75 mi | 400 ft | 3,680 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| CZPC Pincher Creek, | 699 nm out, 11 nm west of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 500 feet, a broken layer at 1,300 feet, a broken layer at 2,000 feet, overcast at 2,500 feet Weather: light snow | from the east (100°) at 6 knots | 3 mi | 1,300 ft | 3,903 ft | 00:24 UTC |
| CYZW Teslin, | 1608 nm out, 24 nm southwest of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 5,300 feet | from the south (190°) at 10 knots | 30 mi | 5,300 ft | 2,313 ft | 00:00 UTC |
| 6K8 Tok, AK | 1947 nm out, 24 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the east-southeast (110°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,642 ft | 23:56 UTC |
| FAI Fairbanks, AK | destination | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,500 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 439 ft | 3:53 pm AKDT (23:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,762 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At FAI when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 9:23 am AKDT (17:23 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet VFR
At times between Mon 6:00 am AKDT (14:00 UTC) and 10:00 am AKDT (18:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, mist, overcast at 700 feet IFR
The whole forecast for FAI
- From Sun 4:00 pm AKDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Sun 7:00 pm AKDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain showers, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 4,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am AKDT (10:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- At times between Mon 6:00 am AKDT (14:00 UTC) and 10:00 am AKDT (18:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, mist, overcast at 700 feet
The forecast for DEN, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the south at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 10,000 feet, a few clouds at 14,000 feet and more above
- From Sun 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 14,000 feet, scattered clouds at 22,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 am MDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 22,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 4:00 pm MDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm MDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at DEN 6:24 pm MDT (00:24 UTC), at FAI 6:39 pm AKDT (02:39 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:29 pm AKDT (03:29 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: Denver International, Fairbanks International.
