George Bush Intcntl/Houston Airport to Billings Logan International IAH → BIL
1,134 nautical miles (1,305 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 331°, about 328° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3E). At 120 knots that is 8 h 24 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 15-knot tailwind), arriving about 10:04 am MDT (16:04 UTC). Right now IAH is VFR, wind calm; BIL is marginal VFR, wind from the north-northwest (330°) at 6 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 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 TANGO 3W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground), from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 338 to 706 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft, from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 696 to 1084 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft, from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 746 to 1094 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), from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 885 to 1055 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft, from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the last 199 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist), from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the last 159 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist), from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Over the route from 985 to 1114 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft, from 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC). Near the route, at the destination end.
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 IAH.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
No pilot reports within 50 nautical miles of the line in the last three hours.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 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 (CLL, DAL, SPS, GAG, GCK, GLD, DEN, BFF, LND, BIL). 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 | 200° at 27 kt | −15 kt | 20 °C | 135 kt | 8 h 24 min | 10:04 am MDT (16:04 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 210° at 26 kt | −12 kt | 17 °C | 132 kt | 8 h 35 min | 10:15 am MDT (16:15 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 220° at 25 kt | −7 kt | 14 °C | 127 kt | 8 h 56 min | 10:36 am MDT (16:36 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 25 kt | −5 kt | 9 °C | 125 kt | 9 h 04 min | 10:44 am MDT (16:44 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 25 kt | −4 kt | 6 °C | 124 kt | 9 h 09 min | 10:49 am MDT (16:49 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | −4 kt | 1 °C | 124 kt | 9 h 09 min | 10:49 am MDT (16:49 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | −4 kt | -4 °C | 124 kt | 9 h 09 min | 10:49 am MDT (16:49 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 28 kt | −4 kt | -7 °C | 124 kt | 9 h 09 min | 10:49 am MDT (16:49 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 31 kt | −4 kt | -19 °C | 124 kt | 9 h 09 min | 10:49 am MDT (16:49 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 46 kt | +2 kt | -30 °C | 118 kt | 9 h 37 min | 11:17 am MDT (17:17 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 49 kt | +10 kt | -38 °C | 110 kt | 10 h 19 min | 11:59 am MDT (17:59 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 47 kt | +16 kt | -48 °C | 104 kt | 10 h 54 min | 12:34 pm MDT (18:34 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLL | used from 0 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 170/22 | 170/26 18° | 200/15 14° | 240/13 8° | 240/15 -5° | 260/17 -13° | 290/27 -29° | 290/22 -40° | 320/30 -51° |
| DAL | used from 99 nm out; 66 nm from the line | 190/29 | 220/23 17° | 220/17 13° | 250/18 8° | 230/18 -5° | 240/18 -15° | 270/34 -29° | 280/33 -39° | 300/36 -51° |
| SPS | used from 249 nm out; 23 nm from the line | 200/39 | 220/28 17° | 230/27 12° | 240/15 9° | 250/15 -4° | 250/24 -15° | 260/45 -28° | 270/43 -39° | 280/45 -51° |
| GAG | used from 348 nm out; 66 nm from the line | 220/40 19° | 230/28 14° | 240/23 8° | 230/21 -6° | 240/31 -19° | 250/66 -29° | 260/58 -38° | 260/47 -49° | |
| GCK | used from 497 nm out; 29 nm from the line | 220/48 21° | 230/37 14° | 250/30 8° | 230/37 -6° | 240/37 -20° | 240/69 -28° | 250/67 -37° | 260/58 -48° | |
| GLD | used from 597 nm out; 33 nm from the line | 230/49 | 230/42 15° | 220/26 8° | 240/18 -7° | 230/27 -21° | 240/62 -30° | 240/61 -35° | 250/57 -47° | |
| DEN | used from 696 nm out; 78 nm from the line | 240/21 14° | 250/44 6° | 220/49 -8° | 220/49 -21° | 230/54 -30° | 240/57 -35° | 240/49 -45° | ||
| BFF | used from 746 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 180/28 | 220/33 15° | 210/31 7° | 230/32 -9° | 220/41 -21° | 220/40 -33° | 240/47 -36° | 250/54 -46° | |
| LND | used from 945 nm out; 119 nm from the line | 200/23 6° | 220/31 1° | 220/39 -11° | 230/39 -23° | 220/51 -28° | 220/66 -37° | 230/68 -45° | ||
| BIL | used from 995 nm out; 114 nm from the line | 080/13 | 180/9 -2° | 210/38 0° | 220/51 -11° | 210/46 -22° | 210/58 -35° | 230/73 -39° | 230/72 -45° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IAH Houston, TX | departure | VFR Sky: overcast at 22,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 22,000 ft | 95 ft | 1:53 am CDT (06:53 UTC) |
| CXO Houston, TX | 20 nm out, 8 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 244 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| AFW Fort Worth, TX | 209 nm out, 3 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 723 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| LAW Lawton, OK | 318 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,110 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| CSM Burns Flat, OK | 378 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 20 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,922 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| GCK Garden City, KS | 547 nm out, 15 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 20 knots, gusting to 32 | 10+ mi | none | 2,890 ft | 06:54 UTC |
| ITR Burlington, CO | 657 nm out, 5 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,218 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| STK Sterling, CO | 746 nm out, 5 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 4,037 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| GUR Guernsey, WY | 865 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 15,000 feet | from the east (100°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 15,000 ft | 4,401 ft | 06:55 UTC |
| BYG Buffalo, WY | 1015 nm out, 11 nm northeast of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 200 feet Weather: mist | from the north-northwest (330°) at 11 knots | 1.75 mi | 200 ft | 4,970 ft | 07:14 UTC |
| SHR Sheridan, WY | 1045 nm out, 15 nm northeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,500 feet Weather: mist, unknown precipitation | from the west-northwest (300°) at 18 knots, gusting to 25 | 4 mi | 1,500 ft | 4,021 ft | 07:35 UTC |
| BIL Billings, MT | destination | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,300 feet Weather: light rain, light snow, mist | from the north-northwest (330°) at 6 knots | 6 mi | 1,300 ft | 3,662 ft | 12:53 am MDT (06:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 4,970 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At BIL when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:04 am MDT (16:04 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a few clouds at 300 feet, overcast at 800 feet IFR
The whole forecast for BIL
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain snow ice pellets, mist, a few clouds at 300 feet, overcast at 1,000 feet
- At times between Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC) and 4:00 am MDT (10:00 UTC): visibility 2 miles, light rain snow ice pellets, mist, a broken layer at 300 feet, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am MDT (13:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, a few clouds at 300 feet, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 800 feet, a broken layer at 2,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the east at 8 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, a few clouds at 300 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
The forecast for IAH, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am CDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 1:00 pm CDT (18:00 UTC) and 5:00 pm CDT (22:00 UTC): light rain showers
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 9/2934 DALLAS, TX 21 nm from the route, 189 nm along the route · a VIP movement · ZFW
- 6/8646 Arlington, TX, Thursday, October 15, 2026 through Friday, October 16, 2026 UTC 4 nm from the route, 189 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Thursday 15 October · ZFW
Daylight
Sunset at IAH 6:54 pm CDT (23:54 UTC), at BIL 6:32 pm MDT (00:32 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:02 pm MDT (01:02 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: George Bush Intcntl/Houston Airport, Billings Logan International.