John F Kennedy International to George Bush Intcntl/Houston Airport JFK → IAH
1,230 nautical miles (1,415 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 245°, about 258° magnetic at the departure end (variation 13W). At 120 knots that is 10 h 20 min at the quickest height in today's winds (10,500 ft, a 1-knot headwind), arriving about 7:23 pm CDT (00:23 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now JFK is marginal VFR, wind from the north (350°) at 12 knots; IAH is VFR, wind from the east-southeast (110°) at 3 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: 794 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 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 20 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 24,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the first 40 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 6,000 ft. Over the route from 190 to 370 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, mist). Over the route from 300 to 450 nm out.
- 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 route from 320 to 490 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 JFK.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
Not fetched just now.
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 08:00–15:00 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 14 forecast points nearest it (JFK, ACY, PSB, EKN, CRW, TRI, TYS, BNA, HSV, MEM, JAN, SHV, LCH, HOU). 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 | 310° at 10 kt | +4 kt | 11 °C | 116 kt | 10 h 36 min | 7:39 pm CDT (00:39 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 310° at 11 kt | +3 kt | 14 °C | 117 kt | 10 h 31 min | 7:34 pm CDT (00:34 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 320° at 14 kt | +2 kt | 10 °C | 118 kt | 10 h 25 min | 7:28 pm CDT (00:28 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 330° at 15 kt | +1 kt | 7 °C | 119 kt | 10 h 20 min | 7:23 pm CDT (00:23 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 330° at 16 kt | +1 kt | 4 °C | 119 kt | 10 h 20 min | 7:23 pm CDT (00:23 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 320° at 18 kt | +2 kt | 0 °C | 118 kt | 10 h 25 min | 7:28 pm CDT (00:28 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 320° at 20 kt | +3 kt | -4 °C | 117 kt | 10 h 31 min | 7:34 pm CDT (00:34 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 320° at 21 kt | +4 kt | -7 °C | 116 kt | 10 h 36 min | 7:39 pm CDT (00:39 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 320° at 21 kt | +4 kt | -18 °C | 116 kt | 10 h 36 min | 7:39 pm CDT (00:39 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 320° at 35 kt | +5 kt | -32 °C | 115 kt | 10 h 42 min | 7:45 pm CDT (00:45 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 320° at 41 kt | +6 kt | -41 °C | 114 kt | 10 h 47 min | 7:50 pm CDT (00:50 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 320° at 34 kt | +5 kt | -50 °C | 115 kt | 10 h 42 min | 7:45 pm CDT (00:45 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 06:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 12:00 UTC for use 08:00 to 15:00 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JFK | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 020/25 | 290/9 12° | 300/12 7° | 320/14 3° | 290/17 -10° | 240/27 -21° | 240/44 -36° | 240/53 -41° | 240/51 -50° |
| ACY | used from 50 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 350/12 | 340/12 11° | 340/12 6° | 340/13 2° | 270/10 -10° | 240/17 -23° | 230/46 -33° | 230/46 -40° | 240/46 -49° |
| PSB | used from 150 nm out; 99 nm from the line | 020/21 12° | 360/28 7° | 360/29 1° | 350/33 -10° | 350/42 -22° | 350/49 -37° | 340/63 -43° | 350/39 -52° | |
| EKN | used from 200 nm out; 79 nm from the line | 330/20 10° | 350/29 7° | 340/32 2° | 340/44 -8° | 350/50 -21° | 350/63 -35° | 340/69 -40° | 330/42 -50° | |
| CRW | used from 350 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 320/17 | 340/23 12° | 340/32 8° | 340/35 4° | 330/40 -7° | 340/45 -20° | 340/57 -34° | 340/64 -42° | 320/38 -50° |
| TRI | used from 450 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 340/25 11° | 350/37 9° | 350/34 6° | 340/39 -7° | 340/43 -19° | 340/55 -32° | 330/58 -42° | 320/37 -50° | |
| TYS | used from 500 nm out; 48 nm from the line | 330/16 | 350/32 14° | 350/37 9° | 340/30 5° | 330/28 -6° | 340/36 -19° | 330/40 -33° | 330/51 -41° | 330/36 -51° |
| BNA | used from 600 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 300/20 | 300/14 15° | 300/14 10° | 300/13 4° | 310/22 -5° | 280/24 -18° | 310/37 -33° | 310/50 -41° | 320/49 -51° |
| HSV | used from 650 nm out; 44 nm from the line | 300/20 | 310/14 16° | 310/18 10° | 310/15 4° | 320/19 -5° | 290/16 -18° | 320/36 -32° | 320/47 -41° | 330/42 -50° |
| MEM | used from 800 nm out; 88 nm from the line | 250/19 | 260/19 17° | 270/20 12° | 270/16 6° | 270/21 -6° | 290/27 -17° | 300/37 -30° | 300/49 -40° | 310/40 -51° |
| JAN | used from 850 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 240/10 | 260/15 18° | 280/10 11° | 290/6 6° | 290/15 -5° | 300/15 -17° | 320/35 -30° | 330/38 -40° | 330/39 -51° |
| SHV | used from 1000 nm out; 90 nm from the line | 210/20 | 210/20 18° | 230/20 11° | 240/16 7° | 270/17 -7° | 250/11 -15° | 300/34 -30° | 310/34 -40° | 320/36 -51° |
| LCH | used from 1100 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 170/21 | 160/23 18° | 170/13 13° | 170/6 8° | 300/12 -7° | 280/16 -14° | 320/27 -30° | 330/23 -41° | 340/38 -51° |
| HOU | used from 1150 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 180/22 | 180/20 16° | 170/7 15° | L/V 8° | 220/11 -6° | 260/15 -13° | 310/20 -30° | 320/20 -40° | 350/32 -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
| Airport | Where | Conditions | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling | Elevation | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JFK New York, NY | departure | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,200 feet, a broken layer at 2,700 feet, a broken layer at 16,000 feet | from the north (350°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | 1,200 ft | 13 ft | 9:51 am EDT (13:51 UTC) |
| TTN Trenton, NJ | 50 nm out, 2 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,300 feet, scattered clouds at 3,900 feet | from the north (360°) at 12 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | none | 212 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| FDK Frederick, MD | 180 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,000 feet | variable at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 2,000 ft | 308 ft | 13:47 UTC |
| LWB Lewisburg, WV | 350 nm out, 11 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,500 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 1,500 ft | 2,301 ft | 13:55 UTC |
| BKW Beckley, WV | 380 nm out, 3 nm west of the line | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the west (280°) at 8 knots | 4 mi | 600 ft | 2,503 ft | 13:59 UTC |
| JAU Jacksboro, TN | 550 nm out, 2 nm southwest of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 200 feet Weather: fog | calm | 0.25 mi | 200 ft | 1,179 ft | 13:55 UTC |
| HSV Huntsville, AL | 710 nm out, 20 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 17,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | none | 628 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| TUP Tupelo, MS | 810 nm out, 16 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the west-southwest (240°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 346 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| GWO Greenwood, MS | 890 nm out, 14 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 162 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| AEX Alexandria, LA | 1070 nm out, 21 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 88 ft | 13:53 UTC |
| JAS Jasper, TX | 1140 nm out, 4 nm west of the line | VFR | from the east-northeast (070°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 212 ft | 13:55 UTC |
| IAH Houston, TX | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,800 feet, overcast at 24,000 feet | from the east-southeast (110°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 24,000 ft | 95 ft | 8:53 am CDT (13:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 2,503 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At IAH when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:23 pm CDT (00:23 UTC)
Wind from the southeast at 13 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for IAH
- From Mon 7:00 am CDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the east-southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 12 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 4:00 pm CDT (21:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Mon 4:00 pm CDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 13 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,500 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet
- At times between Tue 5:00 am CDT (10:00 UTC) and 8:00 am CDT (13:00 UTC): overcast at 1,500 feet
The forecast for JFK, the departure
- 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 1,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 1:00 pm EDT (17:00 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 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, a few clouds at 15,000 feet
- From Tue 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 5/2811 NEW YORK, NY, Monday, October 20, 2025 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026 Local 11 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · until 20 October · ZNY
- 6/8800 Baltimore, MD, Saturday, October 17, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 17 nm from the route, 150 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · starts Saturday 17 October · ZDC
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 16 nm from the route, 180 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8600 Sterling, VA, Monday, October 12, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 10 nm from the route, 190 nm along the route · a VIP movement · today · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at JFK 6:19 pm EDT (22:19 UTC), at IAH 6:54 pm CDT (23:54 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:18 pm CDT (00:18 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at IAH is after sunset there (6:54 pm CDT (23:54 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: John F Kennedy International, George Bush Intcntl/Houston Airport.