Los Angeles International to Ted Stevens Anchorage International LAX → ANC
2,036 nautical miles (2,343 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 333°, about 321° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 17 h 15 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 2-knot headwind), arriving about 8:00 pm AKDT (04:00 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now LAX is marginal VFR, wind from the west-northwest (300°) at 6 knots; ANC is VFR, wind from the south-southeast (150°) at 9 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: 2,243 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 2E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the first 80 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the route from 100 to 489 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 LAX.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A35K at 32,000 ft, 44 nm southwest, 1:39 am PDT (08:39 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: fdcs zoa. 309 nm along the route, 44 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
OAK UA /OV OAK348024/TM 0839/FL320/TP A35K/TB MOD CHOP/RM FDCS ZOA
- Report
- a routine report filed through OAK
- Where
- 24 nm north (348°) of OAK
- Time
- 08:39 UTC
- Height
- at 32,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A35K
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- fdcs zoa
- B38M at 31,000 ft, 9 nm southwest, 1:46 am PDT (08:46 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: fdcs zoa. 429 nm along the route, 9 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
RBL UA /OV RBL259025/TM 0846/FL310/TP B38M/TB MOD CHOP/RM FDCS ZOA
- Report
- a routine report filed through RBL
- Where
- 25 nm west (259°) of RBL
- Time
- 08:46 UTC
- Height
- at 31,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- moderate chop
- Remarks
- fdcs zoa
- B744 at 1,700 ft, 0 nm east, 2:24 am PDT (09:24 UTC): a few clouds above 1,700 ft, remarks: during the descent runway 25L lax. At the departure end, 0 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
LAX UA /OV KLAX/TM 0924/FL017/TP B744/SK FEW017/RM DURD RY25L LAX
- Report
- a routine report filed through LAX
- Where
- over KLAX
- Time
- 09:24 UTC
- Height
- at 1,700 ft
- Aircraft
- B744
- Sky
- a few clouds from 1,700 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent runway 25L lax
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 9 forecast points nearest it (WJF, FAT, SAC, RBL, FOT, SIY, OTH, AST, 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 | 360° at 3 kt | +2 kt | 2 °C | 118 kt | 17 h 15 min | 8:00 pm AKDT (04:00 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 360° at 5 kt | +4 kt | 0 °C | 116 kt | 17 h 33 min | 8:18 pm AKDT (04:18 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 360° at 9 kt | +7 kt | -2 °C | 113 kt | 18 h 01 min | 8:46 pm AKDT (04:46 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 360° at 17 kt | +13 kt | -4 °C | 107 kt | 19 h 02 min | 9:47 pm AKDT (05:47 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 360° at 26 kt | +20 kt | -6 °C | 100 kt | 20 h 22 min | 11:07 pm AKDT (07:07 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 360° at 34 kt | +26 kt | -9 °C | 94 kt | 21 h 40 min | 12:25 am AKDT (08:25 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 360° at 41 kt | +32 kt | -12 °C | 88 kt | 23 h 08 min | 1:53 am AKDT (09:53 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 360° at 47 kt | +37 kt | -14 °C | 83 kt | 24 h 32 min | 3:17 am AKDT (11:17 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 350° at 53 kt | +46 kt | -25 °C | 74 kt | 27 h 31 min | 6:16 am AKDT (14:16 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 350° at 53 kt | +46 kt | -39 °C | 74 kt | 27 h 31 min | 6:16 am AKDT (14:16 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 340° at 47 kt | +43 kt | -46 °C | 77 kt | 26 h 26 min | 5:11 am AKDT (13:11 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 320° at 27 kt | +25 kt | -45 °C | 95 kt | 21 h 26 min | 12:11 am AKDT (08:11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WJF | used from 0 nm out; 33 nm from the line | 210/26 4° | 210/28 2° | 230/23 -4° | 240/28 -13° | 220/47 -23° | 220/57 -30° | 220/65 -37° | 220/59 -45° | |
| FAT | used from 100 nm out; 60 nm from the line | 140/11 | 180/15 3° | 150/14 -3° | 200/14 -6° | 240/17 -16° | 320/25 -23° | 270/22 -31° | 240/29 -37° | 230/36 -44° |
| SAC | used from 250 nm out; 38 nm from the line | L/V | L/V 4° | 340/9 -4° | 340/22 -8° | 360/71 -12° | 360/82 -23° | 350/58 -37° | 310/30 -40° | 270/25 -44° |
| RBL | used from 349 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 350/14 | 320/9 4° | 290/7 -3° | 350/22 -7° | 360/75 -13° | 350/79 -24° | 350/74 -39° | 340/49 -43° | 280/23 -43° |
| FOT | used from 449 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 020/14 | 010/18 4° | 010/27 0° | 360/45 -1° | 350/59 -12° | 350/66 -23° | 350/79 -39° | 350/73 -48° | 330/40 -48° |
| SIY | used from 499 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 060/14 -1° | 030/21 -4° | 010/29 -8° | 360/75 -13° | 350/77 -24° | 350/74 -39° | 340/57 -45° | 300/20 -42° | |
| OTH | used from 549 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 020/7 | 020/13 1° | 010/26 -4° | 360/41 -4° | 350/60 -13° | 350/65 -24° | 350/72 -40° | 350/68 -48° | 340/43 -47° |
| AST | used from 749 nm out; 130 nm from the line | L/V | 340/6 1° | 350/17 -2° | 360/32 -3° | 360/50 -14° | 350/55 -26° | 350/58 -40° | 350/62 -49° | 340/40 -47° |
| SEA | used from 1248 nm out; 523 nm from the line | 350/5 | 010/6 0° | 010/9 -4° | 010/27 -6° | 010/51 -15° | 360/58 -26° | 360/60 -41° | 350/55 -48° | 340/30 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAX Los Angeles, CA | departure | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,500 feet, a broken layer at 2,200 feet, overcast at 2,900 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 6 knots | 7 mi | 2,200 ft | 127 ft | 2:53 am PDT (09:53 UTC) |
| VNY Van Nuys, CA | 20 nm out, 5 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 3,100 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | 3,100 ft | 802 ft | 10:05 UTC |
| MER Atwater, CA | 230 nm out, 3 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 190 ft | 23:55 UTC |
| RDD Redding, CA | 439 nm out, 22 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the north (350°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 505 ft | 09:53 UTC |
| IEM Whittier, AK | 1996 nm out, 7 nm east of the line | no report just now | 39 ft | ||||
| ANC Anchorage, AK | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,400 feet, a broken layer at 4,600 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | 4,600 ft | 151 ft | 1:53 am AKDT (09:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 802 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At ANC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 8:00 pm AKDT (04:00 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for ANC
- From Sun 10:00 pm AKDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 7:00 am AKDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 4 knots, visibility 6 miles, light rain showers, mist, scattered clouds at 500 feet, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm AKDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
The forecast for LAX, the departure
- From Mon 1:00 am PDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, light rain, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am PDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- At times between Mon 3:00 am PDT (10:00 UTC) and 7:00 am PDT (14:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, light rain, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 15 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 3,500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the west at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 23 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · ZLA
- 6/3475 BEALE AFB, CA, Sunday, March 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 Local 7 nm from the route, 339 nm along the route · security · until 1 November · ZOA
- 6/8889 Anchorage, AK, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local on the route, at the destination end · a VIP movement · starts tomorrow · ZAN
- 6/8772 Anchorage, AK, Tuesday, October 13, 2026 through Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Local 4 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · starts tomorrow · ZAN
Daylight
Sunset at LAX 6:22 pm PDT (01:22 UTC), at ANC 6:54 pm AKDT (02:54 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:37 pm AKDT (03:37 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at ANC is after sunset there (6:57 pm AKDT (02:57 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: Los Angeles International, Ted Stevens Anchorage International.