Los Angeles International to George Bush Intcntl/Houston Airport LAX → IAH
1,196 nautical miles (1,376 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 095°, about 083° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 31 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 39-knot tailwind), arriving about 3:06 am CDT (08:06 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now LAX is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 9 knots; IAH is VFR, wind from the east-southeast (120°) at 11 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: 10,416 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 6:55 pm PDT (01:55 UTC). Over the route from 249 to 628 nm out.
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 SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 10 to 110 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 30 to 169 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 159 to 179 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 379 to 588 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 379 to 538 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the route from 389 to 618 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
Not fetched just now.
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 eastbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: odd 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 (ONT, BLH, PHX, TUS, ELP, INK, ABI, SAT, CLL, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 200° at 16 kt | −2 kt | 122 kt | 9 h 48 min | 5:23 am CDT (10:23 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 190° at 19 kt | +1 kt | 18 °C | 119 kt | 10 h 03 min | 5:38 am CDT (10:38 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 200° at 19 kt | −2 kt | 12 °C | 122 kt | 9 h 48 min | 5:23 am CDT (10:23 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 210° at 20 kt | −6 kt | 9 °C | 126 kt | 9 h 30 min | 5:05 am CDT (10:05 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 23 kt | −10 kt | 6 °C | 130 kt | 9 h 12 min | 4:47 am CDT (09:47 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 26 kt | −13 kt | 2 °C | 133 kt | 9 h | 4:35 am CDT (09:35 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 220° at 30 kt | −16 kt | -2 °C | 136 kt | 8 h 48 min | 4:23 am CDT (09:23 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 33 kt | −19 kt | -6 °C | 139 kt | 8 h 36 min | 4:11 am CDT (09:11 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 34 kt | −19 kt | -7 °C | 139 kt | 8 h 36 min | 4:11 am CDT (09:11 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 43 kt | −29 kt | -17 °C | 149 kt | 8 h 02 min | 3:37 am CDT (08:37 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 50 kt | −32 kt | -28 °C | 152 kt | 7 h 52 min | 3:27 am CDT (08:27 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 52 kt | −39 kt | -37 °C | 159 kt | 7 h 31 min | 3:06 am CDT (08:06 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 46 kt | −38 kt | -48 °C | 158 kt | 7 h 34 min | 3:09 am CDT (08:09 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONT | used from 0 nm out; 18 nm from the line | 230/11 | 200/17 6° | 230/27 4° | 230/32 -2° | 210/39 -12° | 220/51 -20° | 220/48 -29° | 210/51 -34° | 210/52 -44° |
| BLH | used from 100 nm out; 61 nm from the line | 230/22 | 210/24 11° | 230/23 5° | 230/26 0° | 220/38 -10° | 230/52 -19° | 220/58 -28° | 220/69 -34° | 220/59 -45° |
| PHX | used from 249 nm out; 47 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° |
| TUS | used from 399 nm out; 72 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° | |
| ELP | used from 498 nm out; 102 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° | |
| INK | used from 698 nm out; 55 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° | |
| ABI | used from 897 nm out; 79 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° | |
| SAT | used from 997 nm out; 77 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° |
| CLL | used from 1047 nm out; 66 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° |
| HOU | used from 1146 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° |
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 | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,300 feet, scattered clouds at 4,800 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 127 ft | 4:53 pm PDT (23:53 UTC) |
| FUL Fullerton, CA | 20 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 4,800 feet | from the southwest (220°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 3,500 ft | 96 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| BLH Blythe, CA | 189 nm out, 4 nm west of the line | VFR | from the southwest (230°) at 17 knots | 10+ mi | none | 399 ft | 23:52 UTC |
| CHD Chandler, AZ | 329 nm out, 3 nm east of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 8,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 10,000 ft | 1,243 ft | 23:47 UTC |
| CFT Clifton/Morenci, AZ | 468 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 3,797 ft | ||||
| SVC Silver City, NM | 518 nm out, 7 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 |
| MAF Midland, TX | 827 nm out, 18 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 |
| SJT San Angelo, TX | 917 nm out, 5 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 |
| GTU Georgetown, TX | 1066 nm out, 5 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 |
| TME Houston, TX | 1176 nm out, 19 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet | from the south-southeast (160°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 165 ft | 22:15 UTC |
| IAH Houston, TX | destination | 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) |
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 IAH when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 3:06 am CDT (08:06 UTC)
Wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for IAH
- 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
The forecast for LAX, the departure
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC) and 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Sun 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 12,000 feet
- 30% chance between Sun 6:00 pm PDT (01:00 UTC) and 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Sun 11:00 pm PDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 12:00 am PDT (07:00 UTC) and 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 5:00 am PDT (12:00 UTC) and 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): light rain showers
- From Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 10,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC) and 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): light rain showers
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 4/3635 DISNEYLAND THEME PARK, ANAHEIM,, CA 5 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · ZLA
- 6/8887 Indio, CA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 4 nm from the route, 110 nm along the route · security · until 12 October · ZLA
- 6/4240 SAN ANGELO, TX, Sunday, March 8, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026 Local on the route, 927 nm along the route · security · until 1 November · ZFW
- 6/5849 Austin, TX, Friday, October 2, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 20 nm from the route, 1066 nm along the route · drones kept away from a public gathering · until 12 October · ZHU
Daylight
Sunset at LAX 6:23 pm PDT (01:23 UTC), at IAH 6:55 pm CDT (23:55 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:19 pm CDT (00:19 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at IAH is before sunrise there (7:21 am CDT (12:21 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, George Bush Intcntl/Houston Airport.