George Bush Intcntl/Houston Airport to Phoenix Sky Harbor International IAH → PHX
875 nautical miles (1,007 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 288°, about 285° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3E). At 120 knots that is 7 h at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 5-knot tailwind), arriving about 12:37 am MST (07:37 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now IAH is VFR, wind from the east-southeast (120°) at 11 knots; PHX is VFR, wind from the west-northwest (300°) at 10 knots, gusting to 21. 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: 5,876 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 W69W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 34,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 8:55 pm CDT (01:55 UTC). Over the last 308 nm of the route.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112355 MKCW WST 112355 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 69W VALID UNTIL 0155Z TX NM AZ FROM 50ENE PGS-60SE ABQ-20ENE ELP-70SSW SSO-50SE BZA-50ENE PGS AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL340.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 577 to 806 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 607 to 825 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 656 to 825 nm out.
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
- GLF5 at 10,000 ft, 17 nm north, 5:06 pm CDT (22:06 UTC): moderate turbulence. 219 nm along the route, 17 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TEB UA /OV MUGSY/TM 2206/FL100/TP GLF5/TB MODERATE FROM 100 TO 50
- Report
- a routine report filed through TEB
- Where
- mugsy
- Time
- 22:06 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF5
- Turbulence
- moderate from 10,000 ft to 50
- A320 at 24,000 ft, 2 nm south, 5:07 pm CDT (22:07 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: during the climb zhu. At the departure end, 2 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
IAH UA /OV IAH/TM 2207/FL240/TP A320/TB OCNL LGT CHOP /RM DURC. ZHU
- Report
- a routine report filed through IAH
- Where
- over IAH
- Time
- 22:07 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
- Remarks
- during the climb zhu
- GLF4 at 45,000 ft, 34 nm north, 6:01 pm CDT (23:01 UTC): light to moderate turbulence from 40,000 ft to 45,000 ft, remarks: south zab fdcs. 637 nm along the route, 34 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
TCS UA /OV TCS/TM 2301/FL450/TP GLF4/TB OCNL LGT-MOD 450-400/RM S - ZAB FDCS
- Report
- a routine report filed through TCS
- Where
- over TCS
- Time
- 23:01 UTC
- Height
- at 45,000 ft
- Aircraft
- GLF4
- Turbulence
- occasional light to moderate from 45,000 ft to 40,000 ft
- Remarks
- south zab fdcs
- B738 at 17,000 ft, 29 nm north, 6:54 pm CDT (23:54 UTC): light rime icing, 9 °C, remarks: during the descent. At the destination end, 29 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHX UA /OV PXR330030/TM 2354/FL170/TP B738/TA 09/IC LGT RIME/RM DURD
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHX
- Where
- 30 nm northwest (330°) of PXR
- Time
- 23:54 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Temperature
- 9 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- Remarks
- during the descent
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 9 forecast points nearest it (HOU, CLL, SAT, ABI, INK, ROW, ELP, TUS, PHX). 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 | 180° at 19 kt | −5 kt | 18 °C | 125 kt | 7 h | 12:37 am MST (07:37 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 180° at 19 kt | −4 kt | 16 °C | 124 kt | 7 h 03 min | 12:40 am MST (07:40 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 200° at 19 kt | +1 kt | 12 °C | 119 kt | 7 h 21 min | 12:58 am MST (07:58 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 210° at 21 kt | +5 kt | 9 °C | 115 kt | 7 h 37 min | 1:14 am MST (08:14 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 220° at 23 kt | +10 kt | 5 °C | 110 kt | 7 h 57 min | 1:34 am MST (08:34 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 26 kt | +13 kt | 1 °C | 107 kt | 8 h 11 min | 1:48 am MST (08:48 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 28 kt | +16 kt | -2 °C | 104 kt | 8 h 25 min | 2:02 am MST (09:02 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 30 kt | +18 kt | -5 °C | 102 kt | 8 h 35 min | 2:12 am MST (09:12 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 240° at 39 kt | +27 kt | -16 °C | 93 kt | 9 h 25 min | 3:02 am MST (10:02 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 47 kt | +32 kt | -28 °C | 88 kt | 9 h 57 min | 3:34 am MST (10:34 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 250° at 48 kt | +40 kt | -38 °C | 80 kt | 10 h 56 min | 4:33 am MST (11:33 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 260° at 44 kt | +40 kt | -50 °C | 80 kt | 10 h 56 min | 4:33 am MST (11:33 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOU | used from 0 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 160/18 | 160/14 17° | 180/19 12° | 190/11 8° | 260/12 -4° | 260/14 -13° | 310/26 -30° | 310/30 -40° | 320/21 -52° |
| CLL | used from 50 nm out; 23 nm from the line | 160/18 | 190/18 16° | 200/19 12° | 220/14 7° | 260/18 -5° | 250/20 -13° | 290/29 -29° | 290/31 -40° | 300/22 -53° |
| SAT | used from 149 nm out; 79 nm from the line | 130/22 | 140/24 18° | 170/19 13° | 190/13 7° | 240/15 -4° | 220/14 -13° | 270/11 -28° | 280/10 -40° | 310/18 -51° |
| ABI | used from 199 nm out; 81 nm from the line | 180/26 17° | 220/18 12° | 230/25 8° | 230/28 -5° | 240/29 -14° | 250/35 -28° | 270/37 -39° | 280/37 -51° | |
| INK | used from 298 nm out; 96 nm from the line | 160/27 20° | 190/18 13° | 240/19 7° | 250/23 -4° | 250/33 -15° | 230/45 -28° | 250/45 -39° | 270/49 -50° | |
| ROW | used from 497 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 180/23 | 190/24 15° | 210/27 7° | 230/35 -6° | 240/53 -17° | 240/62 -27° | 250/64 -38° | 260/60 -50° | |
| ELP | used from 547 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 200/15 | 200/16 15° | 200/17 6° | 220/40 -6° | 240/53 -16° | 230/62 -27° | 240/63 -38° | 250/59 -49° | |
| TUS | used from 696 nm out; 112 nm from the line | 220/17 15° | 210/32 7° | 210/43 5° | 210/49 -7° | 220/64 -18° | 220/83 -26° | 230/81 -36° | 230/72 -48° | |
| PHX | used from 796 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 210/19 | 210/20 14° | 200/20 6° | 210/40 1° | 220/58 -8° | 220/68 -20° | 220/82 -26° | 230/83 -34° | 230/69 -46° |
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: a broken layer at 25,000 feet | from the east-southeast (120°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 25,000 ft | 95 ft | 6:53 pm CDT (23:53 UTC) |
| CLL College Station, TX | 60 nm out, 18 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 320 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| GTU Georgetown, TX | 129 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 11 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | none | 789 ft | 22:55 UTC |
| AQO Llano, TX | 179 nm out, 5 nm south of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,101 ft | 00:15 UTC |
| SJT San Angelo, TX | 278 nm out, 3 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 15 knots, gusting to 23 | 10+ mi | none | 1,918 ft | 23:51 UTC |
| MAF Midland, TX | 368 nm out, 15 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 16 knots, gusting to 25 | 10+ mi | none | 2,872 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| CNM Carlsbad, NM | 477 nm out, 12 nm north of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 14 knots, gusting to 22 | 10+ mi | none | 3,294 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| LRU Las Cruces, NM | 607 nm out, 21 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,500 feet, scattered clouds at 8,000 feet, scattered clouds at 9,500 feet | from the east-southeast (120°) at 5 knots, gusting to 8 | 10+ mi | none | 4,456 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| SVC Silver City, NM | 676 nm out, 13 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 7,000 feet, overcast at 8,500 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 15 knots, gusting to 18 | 10+ mi | 7,000 ft | 5,445 ft | 00:15 UTC |
| CFT Clifton/Morenci, AZ | 736 nm out, 6 nm southeast of the line | no report just now | 3,797 ft | ||||
| IWA Phoenix, AZ | 855 nm out, 5 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 7,500 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet | from the northwest (310°) at 11 knots, gusting to 15 | 10+ mi | none | 1,384 ft | 23:52 UTC |
| PHX Phoenix, AZ | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,500 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 10 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 1,134 ft | 4:51 pm MST (23:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,445 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At PHX when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 12:37 am MST (07:37 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for PHX
- From Sun 5:00 pm MST (00:00 UTC): wind from the west at 11 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Sun 7:00 pm MST (02:00 UTC): wind from the west at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Sun 10:00 pm MST (05:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MST (09:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am MST (16:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm MST (20:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 14 knots, gusting to 22, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 pm MST (02:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm MST (05:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
The forecast for IAH, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Sun 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 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
- 6/5849 Austin, TX, Friday, October 2, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 21 nm from the route, 129 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · until 12 October · ZHU
- 6/4240 SAN ANGELO, TX, Sunday, March 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 Local on the route, 269 nm along the route · security · until 1 November · ZFW
Daylight
Sunset at IAH 6:55 pm CDT (23:55 UTC), at PHX 5:58 pm MST (00:58 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:23 pm MST (01:23 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at PHX is before sunrise there (6:30 am MST (13:30 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
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, Phoenix Sky Harbor International.