Los Angeles International to Frederick W Smith Intl/Memphis Airport LAX → MEM
1,404 nautical miles (1,615 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 079°, about 067° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12E). At 120 knots that is 7 h 48 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 60-knot tailwind), arriving about 1:46 pm CDT (18:46 UTC). Right now LAX is marginal VFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 6 knots; MEM is VFR, wind from the south-southwest (200°) 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: 2,885 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 below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 12,000 ft. Over the route from 40 to 398 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 229 to 368 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 249 to 358 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) from 34,000 ft to 43,000 ft. Over the route from 319 to 677 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). Over the route from 329 to 448 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 22,000 ft. Near the route, 617 nm along the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Over the route from 866 to 1175 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
- 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 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 13 forecast points nearest it (ONT, BLH, PRC, FMN, ABQ, TCC, AMA, GAG, OKC, TUL, FSM, LIT, MEM). 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 | 230° at 26 kt | −21 kt | 141 kt | 9 h 57 min | 3:55 pm CDT (20:55 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 230° at 24 kt | −20 kt | 22 °C | 140 kt | 10 h 02 min | 4:00 pm CDT (21:00 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 220° at 23 kt | −17 kt | 10 °C | 137 kt | 10 h 15 min | 4:13 pm CDT (21:13 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 220° at 23 kt | −17 kt | 9 °C | 137 kt | 10 h 15 min | 4:13 pm CDT (21:13 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 220° at 24 kt | −18 kt | 4 °C | 138 kt | 10 h 10 min | 4:08 pm CDT (21:08 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 220° at 28 kt | −21 kt | 1 °C | 141 kt | 9 h 57 min | 3:55 pm CDT (20:55 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 33 kt | −26 kt | -3 °C | 146 kt | 9 h 37 min | 3:35 pm CDT (20:35 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 230° at 37 kt | −30 kt | -7 °C | 150 kt | 9 h 22 min | 3:20 pm CDT (20:20 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 38 kt | −31 kt | -8 °C | 151 kt | 9 h 18 min | 3:16 pm CDT (20:16 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 49 kt | −42 kt | -19 °C | 162 kt | 8 h 40 min | 2:38 pm CDT (19:38 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 240° at 64 kt | −59 kt | -28 °C | 179 kt | 7 h 51 min | 1:49 pm CDT (18:49 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 63 kt | −60 kt | -37 °C | 180 kt | 7 h 48 min | 1:46 pm CDT (18:46 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 58 kt | −56 kt | -48 °C | 176 kt | 7 h 59 min | 1:57 pm CDT (18:57 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONT | used from 0 nm out; 16 nm from the line | 250/11 | 200/20 4° | 210/27 3° | 220/26 -4° | 240/32 -13° | 220/52 -21° | 220/67 -30° | 220/72 -37° | 220/65 -46° |
| BLH | used from 100 nm out; 74 nm from the line | 240/19 | 210/20 10° | 200/27 4° | 210/34 -2° | 220/59 -10° | 220/67 -20° | 220/75 -29° | 230/78 -38° | 220/90 -47° |
| PRC | used from 249 nm out; 27 nm from the line | 200/37 6° | 200/35 0° | 220/60 -11° | 220/71 -20° | 220/88 -29° | 220/98 -35° | 220/94 -45° | ||
| FMN | used from 448 nm out; 107 nm from the line | 220/16 6° | 220/39 1° | 220/50 -10° | 230/67 -23° | 230/94 -29° | 230/102 -35° | 230/90 -46° | ||
| ABQ | used from 498 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 220/19 9° | 220/35 3° | 230/50 -8° | 240/64 -19° | 230/83 -26° | 230/85 -36° | 230/80 -48° | ||
| TCC | used from 647 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 240/20 | 230/22 13° | 230/27 6° | 230/40 -7° | 240/55 -18° | 240/74 -27° | 240/68 -37° | 250/64 -49° | |
| AMA | used from 796 nm out; 13 nm from the line | 230/32 | 230/28 14° | 230/27 7° | 230/38 -6° | 230/50 -17° | 250/69 -28° | 260/62 -37° | 270/65 -49° | |
| GAG | used from 896 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 240/35 22° | 240/27 14° | 230/25 6° | 240/38 -7° | 230/44 -19° | 250/73 -28° | 270/66 -37° | 270/58 -49° | |
| OKC | used from 946 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 220/43 | 230/31 17° | 260/13 16° | 270/11 7° | 240/20 -6° | 250/32 -17° | 260/60 -28° | 280/50 -37° | 290/45 -50° |
| TUL | used from 1095 nm out; 51 nm from the line | 230/42 | 250/23 17° | 220/16 14° | 240/10 8° | 240/20 -6° | 260/28 -17° | 270/61 -29° | 280/52 -38° | 290/46 -50° |
| FSM | used from 1145 nm out; 18 nm from the line | 230/33 | 260/23 15° | 240/23 11° | 230/18 8° | 230/20 -8° | 250/31 -17° | 280/51 -30° | 280/52 -39° | 300/47 -51° |
| LIT | used from 1244 nm out; 38 nm from the line | 250/22 | 250/25 18° | 240/23 12° | 240/20 7° | 250/17 -6° | 260/25 -17° | 300/45 -29° | 300/49 -40° | 310/43 -51° |
| MEM | used from 1344 nm out; 35 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° |
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 1,800 feet, a broken layer at 2,200 feet, overcast at 3,500 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 6 knots | 7 mi | 2,200 ft | 127 ft | 3:53 am PDT (10:53 UTC) |
| ONT Ontario, CA | 40 nm out, 1 nm southeast of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,900 feet, a broken layer at 3,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet | calm | 8 mi | 3,000 ft | 944 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| HII Lake Havasu City, AZ | 209 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, overcast at 7,500 feet | from the north-northwest (340°) at 5 knots, gusting to 10 | 10+ mi | 7,500 ft | 782 ft | 10:35 UTC |
| PRC Prescott, AZ | 299 nm out, 5 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,400 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | from the south (190°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 4,400 ft | 5,045 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| GNT Grants, NM | 528 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,800 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 4,800 ft | 6,536 ft | 10:35 UTC |
| AEG Albuquerque, NM | 577 nm out, 4 nm south of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,837 ft | 10:35 UTC |
| AMA Amarillo, TX | 826 nm out, 11 nm south of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 12,000 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,606 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| CSM Burns Flat, OK | 956 nm out, 7 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 13 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,922 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| OKC Oklahoma City, OK | 1025 nm out, 4 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (190°) at 15 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,295 ft | 10:52 UTC |
| FSM Fort Smith, AR | 1185 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the northeast (050°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 469 ft | 10:53 UTC |
| DRP Colt, AR | 1364 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south (190°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 238 ft | 10:30 UTC |
| MEM Memphis, TN | destination | VFR | from the south-southwest (200°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 340 ft | 5:54 am CDT (10:54 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 6,536 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At MEM when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:46 pm CDT (18:46 UTC)
Wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for MEM
- From Mon 4:00 am CDT (09:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
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 10 nm from the route, at the departure end · security · ZLA
- 6/8891 Bullhead City, AZ, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Local 10 nm from the route, 199 nm along the route · a VIP movement · starts Wednesday 14 October · ZLA
Daylight
Sunset at LAX 6:22 pm PDT (01:22 UTC), at MEM 6:29 pm CDT (23:29 UTC) (civil twilight ends 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: Los Angeles International, Frederick W Smith Intl/Memphis Airport.