Kansas City International to Seattle-Tacoma International MCI → SEA
1,291 nautical miles (1,486 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 301°, about 299° magnetic at the departure end (variation 2E). At 120 knots that is 10 h 05 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 8-knot tailwind), arriving about 5:05 am PDT (12:05 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now MCI is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 9 knots; SEA is VFR, wind from the north (360°) at 7 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: 2,247 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 TANGO 3W: 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 first 199 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 407 to 1013 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 517 to 795 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 566 to 656 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 596 to 974 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 596 to 1103 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 3C: moderate icing up to 22,000 ft. Over the route from 626 to 795 nm out.
- AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 16,000 ft. Over the route from 864 to 1192 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the last 139 nm of 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 MCI.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- S22T at 15,000 ft, 46 nm southwest, 8:47 pm CDT (01:47 UTC): moderate rime icing above 15,000 ft, -5 °C. 745 nm along the route, 46 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
JAC UA /OV DNW010020/TM 0147/FL150/TP S22T/TA M05/IC MOD RIME 150 /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through JAC
- Where
- 20 nm north (010°) of DNW
- Time
- 01:47 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- S22T
- Temperature
- −5 °C
- Icing
- moderate rime at 15,000 ft zlc
- B738 at 33,000 ft, 49 nm south, 6:57 pm CDT (23:57 UTC): moderate chop turbulence from 31,000 ft to 33,000 ft. 825 nm along the route, 49 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
IDA UA /OV DBS015030/TM 2357/FL330/TP B738/TB MOD CHOP 310-330 /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through IDA
- Where
- 30 nm north (015°) of DBS
- Time
- 23:57 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- moderate chop from 31,000 ft to 33,000 ft zlc
- E75L at 14,000 ft, 35 nm northeast, 6:22 pm CDT (23:22 UTC): moderate turbulence from 14,000 ft to 21,000 ft, remarks: during the climb zlc. 954 nm along the route, 35 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
MSO UA /OV 32S/TM 2322/FL140/TP E75L/TB MOD 140-210/RM DURC /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through MSO
- Where
- over 32S
- Time
- 23:22 UTC
- Height
- at 14,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate from 14,000 ft to 21,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb zlc
- E75L descending, 32 nm northeast, 8:04 pm CDT (01:04 UTC): remarks: had the airport in sight at 400-500FT above ground. 825 nm along the route, 32 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0104/FLDURD/TP E75L/RM HAD THE AIRPORT IN SIGHT AT 400-500FT AGL
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- over BZN
- Time
- 01:04 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Remarks
- had the airport in sight at 400-500FT above ground
- B737 descending, 32 nm northeast, 7:28 pm CDT (00:28 UTC): scattered clouds above 8,000 ft, fog, snow, remarks: broke out about 100FT above mins. 825 nm along the route, 32 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN/TM 0028/FLDURD/TP B737/SK SCT080/WX 1/2SM SN FG/RM BROKE OUT ABOUT 100FT ABOVE MINS
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- over BZN
- Time
- 00:28 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B737
- Sky
- scattered clouds from 8,000 ft
- Weather
- 1/2SM, snow, fog
- Remarks
- broke out about 100FT above mins
- B738 at 24,000 ft, 31 nm northeast, 6:13 pm CDT (23:13 UTC): remarks: snow top flight level at 24,000 ft zlc. 854 nm along the route, 31 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
BZN UA /OV BZN270030/TM 2313/FL240/TP B738/RM SN TOP FL 240 /ZLC
- Report
- a routine report filed through BZN
- Where
- 30 nm west (270°) of BZN
- Time
- 23:13 UTC
- Height
- at 24,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Remarks
- snow top flight level at 24,000 ft zlc
- PC12 at 13,500 ft, 15 nm southwest, 8:08 pm CDT (01:08 UTC): no turbulence, a trace of icing, overcast from 9,000 ft to 13,500 ft, -10 °C. 1142 nm along the route, 15 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PSC UA /OV PSC360025/TM 0108/FL135/TP PC12/SK OVC090-TOP135/TA M10/TB NEG /IC TRACE RM 135-090
- Report
- a routine report filed through PSC
- Where
- 25 nm north (360°) of PSC
- Time
- 01:08 UTC
- Height
- at 13,500 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Sky
- overcast from 9,000 ft, tops 13,500 ft
- Temperature
- −10 °C
- Turbulence
- none
- Icing
- trace remarks from 13,500 ft to 9,000 ft
- A321 at 13,500 ft, 28 nm south, 8:54 pm CDT (01:54 UTC): remarks: zse. At the destination end, 28 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
SEA UA /OV SEA120045/TM 0154/FL135/TP A321/SK TOP130/RM ZSE
- Report
- a routine report filed through SEA
- Where
- 45 nm southeast (120°) of SEA
- Time
- 01:54 UTC
- Height
- at 13,500 ft
- Aircraft
- A321
- Sky
- TOP130
- Remarks
- zse
- SB20 at 16,000 ft, 33 nm north, 8:52 pm CDT (01:52 UTC): remarks: zse. At the destination end, 33 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PAE UA /OV PAE075045/TM 0152/FL160/TP SB20/SK TOP120/RM ZSE
- Report
- a routine report filed through PAE
- Where
- 45 nm east (075°) of PAE
- Time
- 01:52 UTC
- Height
- at 16,000 ft
- Aircraft
- SB20
- Sky
- TOP120
- Remarks
- zse
- PC12 at 13,000 ft, 28 nm south, 7:42 pm CDT (00:42 UTC): remarks: zse. At the destination end, 28 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
YKM UA /OV YKM270050/TM 0042/FL130/TP PC12/SK TOP130/RM -ZSE
- Report
- a routine report filed through YKM
- Where
- 50 nm west (270°) of YKM
- Time
- 00:42 UTC
- Height
- at 13,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Sky
- TOP130
- Remarks
- zse
- PC12 at 15,000 ft, 28 nm south, 7:42 pm CDT (00:42 UTC): remarks: zse. At the destination end, 28 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
YKM UA /OV YKM270050/TM 0042/FL150/TP PC12/SK TOP130/RM -ZSE
- Report
- a routine report filed through YKM
- Where
- 50 nm west (270°) of YKM
- Time
- 00:42 UTC
- Height
- at 15,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Sky
- TOP130
- Remarks
- zse
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 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 12 forecast points nearest it (MKC, OMA, GRI, ONL, BFF, RAP, LND, BIL, DLN, LWS, YKM, 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 | 140° at 8 kt | −8 kt | 16 °C | 128 kt | 10 h 05 min | 5:05 am PDT (12:05 UTC) |
| 6,500 ft | 150° at 7 kt | −7 kt | 8 °C | 127 kt | 10 h 10 min | 5:10 am PDT (12:10 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 180° at 6 kt | −4 kt | 4 °C | 124 kt | 10 h 25 min | 5:25 am PDT (12:25 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 200° at 10 kt | −2 kt | 2 °C | 122 kt | 10 h 35 min | 5:35 am PDT (12:35 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 210° at 13 kt | +1 kt | -1 °C | 119 kt | 10 h 51 min | 5:51 am PDT (12:51 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 220° at 15 kt | +3 kt | -5 °C | 117 kt | 11 h 02 min | 6:02 am PDT (13:02 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 220° at 18 kt | +5 kt | -10 °C | 115 kt | 11 h 14 min | 6:14 am PDT (13:14 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 19 kt | +6 kt | -12 °C | 114 kt | 11 h 19 min | 6:19 am PDT (13:19 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 29 kt | +14 kt | -22 °C | 106 kt | 12 h 11 min | 7:11 am PDT (14:11 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 36 kt | +12 kt | -35 °C | 108 kt | 11 h 57 min | 6:57 am PDT (13:57 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 46 kt | +25 kt | -40 °C | 95 kt | 13 h 35 min | 8:35 am PDT (15:35 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 250° at 50 kt | +36 kt | -46 °C | 84 kt | 15 h 22 min | 10:22 am PDT (17:22 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKC | used from 0 nm out; 36 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° |
| OMA | used from 50 nm out; 83 nm from the line | 190/34 | 230/34 19° | 250/25 12° | 250/18 6° | 250/22 -7° | 250/28 -19° | 260/34 -32° | 260/39 -41° | 280/56 -51° |
| GRI | used from 99 nm out; 69 nm from the line | 210/31 19° | 240/21 14° | 240/17 6° | 260/27 -7° | 260/34 -18° | 240/45 -32° | 250/56 -40° | 260/62 -51° | |
| ONL | used from 248 nm out; 78 nm from the line | 200/20 17° | 230/26 14° | 240/21 7° | 250/27 -9° | 260/32 -19° | 240/44 -34° | 240/56 -41° | 250/62 -51° | |
| BFF | used from 348 nm out; 80 nm from the line | 120/24 | 180/31 13° | 210/26 7° | 230/25 -7° | 240/41 -20° | 230/52 -36° | 250/56 -41° | 260/57 -45° | |
| RAP | used from 497 nm out; 91 nm from the line | 120/15 12° | 180/22 11° | 220/26 5° | 230/35 -9° | 240/40 -22° | 240/50 -37° | 240/51 -41° | 240/47 -47° | |
| LND | used from 596 nm out; 104 nm from the line | 180/33 10° | 190/50 3° | 210/59 -9° | 200/50 -21° | 190/41 -34° | 230/55 -39° | 240/65 -47° | ||
| BIL | used from 646 nm out; 89 nm from the line | 080/24 | 130/14 -1° | 180/33 0° | 210/43 -10° | 220/58 -21° | 200/55 -36° | 220/75 -44° | 240/83 -48° | |
| DLN | used from 795 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 080/10 -3° | 180/8 -3° | 180/23 -14° | 200/58 -22° | 200/80 -36° | 220/85 -41° | 230/81 -45° | ||
| LWS | used from 944 nm out; 97 nm from the line | 010/5 | 050/14 -2° | 040/12 -6° | 160/7 -10° | 190/30 -22° | 200/54 -27° | 200/48 -35° | 210/40 -37° | 230/32 -41° |
| YKM | used from 1142 nm out; 55 nm from the line | 030/16 | 020/18 0° | 030/30 -8° | 030/23 -13° | 020/40 -23° | 010/73 -29° | 010/54 -36° | 360/29 -37° | 330/16 -40° |
| SEA | used from 1242 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 360/9 | 350/10 1° | 010/10 -5° | 030/20 -11° | 020/60 -17° | 010/86 -26° | 360/90 -40° | 010/68 -42° | 360/31 -43° |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCI Kansas City, MO | departure | VFR | from the south (170°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,027 ft | 8:53 pm CDT (01:53 UTC) |
| STJ St Joseph, MO | 20 nm out, 20 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 826 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| GRI Grand Island, NE | 189 nm out, 6 nm north of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (170°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,847 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| TIF Thedford, NE | 308 nm out, 9 nm north of the line | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 2,925 ft | 01:35 UTC |
| CDR Chadron, NE | 437 nm out, 6 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the north-northeast (020°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 3,297 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| BYG Buffalo, WY | 616 nm out, 24 nm north of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 200 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the east (080°) at 3 knots | 4 mi | 200 ft | 4,970 ft | 01:53 UTC |
| COD Cody, WY | 715 nm out, 8 nm south of the line | IFR Sky: overcast at 800 feet Weather: unknown precipitation | from the north (010°) at 11 knots | 9 mi | 800 ft | 5,102 ft | 01:56 UTC |
| RVF Twin Bridges, MT | 864 nm out, 3 nm northeast of the line | low IFR Sky: a broken layer at 300 feet, a broken layer at 800 feet, a broken layer at 1,400 feet Weather: mist | from the north-northeast (030°) at 21 knots, gusting to 27 | 1 mi | 300 ft | 4,788 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| HRF Hamilton, MT | 944 nm out, 19 nm north of the line | low IFR Sky: overcast at 300 feet Weather: light snow, mist | from the north (350°) at 7 knots | 1.5 mi | 300 ft | 3,635 ft | 01:55 UTC |
| LWS Lewiston, ID | 1063 nm out, 10 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: overcast at 6,000 feet | from the west-northwest (300°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 1,442 ft | 01:56 UTC |
| MWH Moses Lake, WA | 1172 nm out, 14 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 9,000 feet, overcast at 11,000 feet | from the east (080°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 1,188 ft | 01:52 UTC |
| SEA Seattle, WA | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,000 feet | from the north (360°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 432 ft | 6:53 pm PDT (01:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 5,102 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At SEA when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 5:05 am PDT (12:05 UTC)
Wind from the southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, patches of fog, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for SEA
- From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the north at 12 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,000 feet, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Sun 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 3:00 am PDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, patches of fog, clear skies
- From Mon 9:00 am PDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the west at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 8:00 pm PDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for MCI, the departure
- 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
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at MCI 6:44 pm CDT (23:44 UTC), at SEA 6:27 pm PDT (01:27 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:58 pm PDT (01:58 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at SEA is before sunrise there (7:23 am PDT (14:23 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: Kansas City International, Seattle-Tacoma International.
