Los Angeles International to Kansas City International LAX → MCI
1,182 nautical miles (1,361 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 067°, about 055° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 6 h 43 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 56-knot tailwind), arriving about 1:13 am CDT (06:13 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now LAX is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 5 knots, gusting to 15; MCI is VFR, wind from the south (180°) at 13 knots, gusting to 20. 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: 2,650 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 W64W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 37,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 5:55 pm PDT (00:55 UTC). Over the route from 308 to 318 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112255 MKCW WST 112255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 64W VALID UNTIL 0055Z TX NM AZ FROM 50ENE PGS-60SE ABQ-10W ELP-30E TUS-70SE EED-50ENE PGS AREA TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL370.
- SIGMET W63W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 37,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 5:55 pm PDT (00:55 UTC). Over the route from 467 to 705 nm out.
as issued
WSUS33 KKCI 112255 MKCW WST 112255 CONVECTIVE SIGMET 63W VALID UNTIL 0055Z CO NM AZ UT FROM 30SSW MTU-30NW PUB-20NW TCC-60SE ABQ-40N SJN-30SSW MTU AREA SEV TS MOV FROM 23040KT. TOPS TO FL370. WIND GUSTS TO 50KT POSS.
- AIRMET SIERRA 6E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 10 to 70 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 20 to 169 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 99 to 368 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 99 to 646 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 169 to 606 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 179 to 745 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 2E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 199 to 338 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Over the route from 427 to 467 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). Near the route, 576 nm along the route.
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, LAS, PRC, BCE, FMN, ALS, PUB, GCK, SLN, MKC). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,500 ft | 210° at 29 kt | −19 kt | 17 °C | 139 kt | 8 h 30 min | 3:00 am CDT (08:00 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 220° at 27 kt | −22 kt | 12 °C | 142 kt | 8 h 19 min | 2:49 am CDT (07:49 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 27 kt | −24 kt | 10 °C | 144 kt | 8 h 13 min | 2:43 am CDT (07:43 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 230° at 28 kt | −26 kt | 5 °C | 146 kt | 8 h 06 min | 2:36 am CDT (07:36 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 31 kt | −28 kt | 1 °C | 148 kt | 7 h 59 min | 2:29 am CDT (07:29 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 34 kt | −31 kt | -4 °C | 151 kt | 7 h 50 min | 2:20 am CDT (07:20 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 37 kt | −33 kt | -8 °C | 153 kt | 7 h 44 min | 2:14 am CDT (07:14 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 38 kt | −34 kt | -9 °C | 154 kt | 7 h 41 min | 2:11 am CDT (07:11 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 43 kt | −40 kt | -19 °C | 160 kt | 7 h 23 min | 1:53 am CDT (06:53 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 58 kt | −54 kt | -29 °C | 174 kt | 6 h 48 min | 1:18 am CDT (06:18 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 230° at 58 kt | −56 kt | -36 °C | 176 kt | 6 h 43 min | 1:13 am CDT (06:13 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 240° at 54 kt | −53 kt | -47 °C | 173 kt | 6 h 50 min | 1:20 am CDT (06:20 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; 17 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° |
| LAS | used from 149 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 200/25 11° | 230/22 5° | 240/25 -1° | 220/37 -12° | 220/44 -21° | 210/52 -27° | 210/60 -34° | 220/58 -44° | |
| PRC | used from 248 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 200/36 6° | 210/46 0° | 220/60 -10° | 220/75 -19° | 220/66 -26° | 230/70 -33° | 230/59 -45° | ||
| BCE | used from 348 nm out; 103 nm from the line | 210/47 0° | 200/50 -12° | 220/31 -23° | 220/56 -26° | 220/58 -35° | 230/58 -45° | |||
| FMN | used from 397 nm out; 104 nm from the line | 220/25 13° | 220/28 4° | 210/51 -9° | 220/59 -21° | 230/78 -30° | 230/77 -36° | 230/66 -46° | ||
| ALS | used from 596 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 210/32 5° | 230/48 -8° | 230/49 -20° | 230/78 -30° | 240/74 -36° | 240/61 -47° | |||
| PUB | used from 695 nm out; 32 nm from the line | 210/24 16° | 210/28 8° | 230/43 -8° | 240/42 -21° | 240/77 -30° | 240/72 -36° | 250/51 -47° | ||
| GCK | used from 795 nm out; 77 nm from the line | 200/35 21° | 220/34 14° | 240/30 8° | 240/27 -6° | 240/31 -17° | 240/53 -30° | 250/55 -39° | 250/60 -50° | |
| SLN | used from 944 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 190/37 | 220/39 20° | 240/31 14° | 250/24 7° | 260/25 -7° | 250/26 -17° | 250/44 -31° | 260/47 -40° | 260/47 -50° |
| MKC | used from 1093 nm out; 70 nm from the line | 200/28 | 220/30 16° | 270/20 11° | 280/22 7° | 260/27 -6° | 270/27 -18° | 280/38 -32° | 270/38 -40° | 280/50 -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: scattered clouds at 3,200 feet, a broken layer at 4,400 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 5 knots, gusting to 15 | 10+ mi | 4,400 ft | 127 ft | 3:53 pm PDT (22:53 UTC) |
| EMT El Monte, CA | 20 nm out, 1 nm north of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 295 ft | 22:45 UTC |
| IFP Bullhead City, AZ | 209 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 3,700 feet, a broken layer at 4,600 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 27 knots, gusting to 32 | 10+ mi | 4,600 ft | 707 ft | 20:47 UTC |
| GCN Grand Canyon, AZ | 328 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 500 feet, overcast at 1,000 feet Weather: mist | from the south-southwest (200°) at 13 knots, gusting to 21 | 3 mi | 500 ft | 6,608 ft | 23:22 UTC |
| FMN Farmington, NM | 527 nm out, 10 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 feet, scattered clouds at 10,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 16 knots, gusting to 28 | 10+ mi | none | 5,506 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| ALS Alamosa, CO | 646 nm out, 1 nm south of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 feet, scattered clouds at 9,500 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,539 ft | 22:52 UTC |
| LAA Lamar, CO | 805 nm out, 4 nm southwest of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 11 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | none | 3,705 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| TQK Scott City, KS | 894 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 20 knots, gusting to 27 | 10+ mi | none | 2,968 ft | 23:15 UTC |
| SLN Salina, KS | 1043 nm out, 8 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 15 knots, gusting to 28 | 10+ mi | none | 1,288 ft | 22:53 UTC |
| MHK Manhattan, KS | 1093 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 11 knots, gusting to 19 | 10+ mi | none | 1,066 ft | 22:52 UTC |
| MCI Kansas City, MO | destination | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 13 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | none | 1,027 ft | 5:53 pm CDT (22:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 7,539 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MCI when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:13 am CDT (06:13 UTC)
Wind from the south at 11 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for MCI
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 11 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 17 knots, gusting to 26, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for LAX, the departure
- From Sun 2:00 pm PDT (21:00 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 2:00 pm PDT (21:00 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 14 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at LAX 6:23 pm PDT (01:23 UTC), at MCI 6:46 pm CDT (23:46 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:13 pm CDT (00:13 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at MCI is before sunrise there (7:25 am CDT (12:25 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, Kansas City International.
