The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Plan a flight · Sun 10:29 pm CDT (03:29 UTC)

Chicago O'Hare International to Mineta San Jose International ORD → SJC

1,586 nautical miles (1,825 statute miles) west on a straight line, true course 271°, about 274° magnetic at the departure end (variation 3W). At 120 knots that is 14 h 58 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 14-knot headwind), arriving about 11:27 am PDT (18:27 UTC). Right now ORD is VFR, wind from the south (180°) at 7 knots; SJC is VFR, wind calm. 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: 595 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.

The return flight

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 2C: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 40 knots, until 11:55 pm CDT (04:55 UTC). Over the route from 788 to 788 nm out.
    as issued
    WSUS32 KKCI 120255
    MKCC WST 120255
    CONVECTIVE SIGMET 2C
    VALID UNTIL 0455Z
    NE CO WY
    FROM 40SE CZI-30WNW BFF-30SSE LAR-70NW LAR-40SE CZI
    AREA TS MOV FROM 22040KT. TOPS TO FL310.
  • SIGMET W12W: thunderstorms (a convective SIGMET) up to 31,000 ft, moving from the southwest at 20 knots, until 11:55 pm CDT (04:55 UTC). Over the route from 1257 to 1386 nm out.
    as issued
    WSUS33 KKCI 120255
    MKCW WST 120255
    CONVECTIVE SIGMET 12W
    VALID UNTIL 0455Z
    NV
    FROM 40SSE TWF-10W ELY-30SE OAL-30W OAL-70WSW TWF-40SSE TWF
    AREA TS MOV FROM 24020KT. TOPS TO FL310.
  • 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 route from 229 to 648 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 36,000 ft. Over the route from 648 to 1107 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the route from 708 to 1277 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 788 to 1017 nm out.
  • AIRMET ZULU 2C: moderate icing up to 23,000 ft. Over the route from 908 to 1396 nm out.
  • AIRMET SIERRA 1E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 967 to 1366 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 5W: strong surface winds (30 knots or more) (due to sustained surface winds greater than 30 knots). Near the route, 967 nm along the route.
  • AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 15,000 ft. Over the route from 1306 to 1466 nm out.
  • AIRMET TANGO 1W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 39,000 ft. Over the last 80 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 ORD.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

  • CRJ2 at 19,000 ft, 5 nm southeast, 7:47 pm CDT (00:47 UTC): moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-13. 818 nm along the route, 5 nm southeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    EGE UA /OV RLG010052/TM 0047/FL190/TP CRJ2/TB COSN MOD CHOP/RM ZDVWC-13
    Report
    a routine report filed through EGE
    Where
    52 nm north (010°) of RLG
    Time
    00:47 UTC
    Height
    at 19,000 ft
    Aircraft
    CRJ2
    Turbulence
    cosn moderate chop
    Remarks
    ZDVWC-13
  • E75L at 28,000 ft, 40 nm south, 8:31 pm CDT (01:31 UTC): moderate turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 878 nm along the route, 40 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    EEO UA /OV EKR085036/TM 0131/FL280/TP E75L/TB MOD/RM ZDVWC-03
    Report
    a routine report filed through EEO
    Where
    36 nm east (085°) of EKR
    Time
    01:31 UTC
    Height
    at 28,000 ft
    Aircraft
    E75L
    Turbulence
    moderate
    Remarks
    ZDVWC-03
  • S22T at 14,000 ft, 15 nm south, 8:23 pm CDT (01:23 UTC): moderate rime icing, -16 °C. 1037 nm along the route, 15 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    PUC UA /OV PUC360015/TM 0123/FL140/TP S22T/TA M16/IC MOD RIME /ZLC
    Report
    a routine report filed through PUC
    Where
    15 nm north (360°) of PUC
    Time
    01:23 UTC
    Height
    at 14,000 ft
    Aircraft
    S22T
    Temperature
    −16 °C
    Icing
    moderate rime zlc
  • E75L at 22,000 ft, 8 nm south, 8:04 pm CDT (01:04 UTC): moderate turbulence. 1047 nm along the route, 8 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    PUC UA /OV PUC320020/TM 0104/FL220/TP E75L/TB MOD /ZLC
    Report
    a routine report filed through PUC
    Where
    20 nm northwest (320°) of PUC
    Time
    01:04 UTC
    Height
    at 22,000 ft
    Aircraft
    E75L
    Turbulence
    moderate zlc
  • A321 at 32,000 ft, 3 nm southwest, 8:56 pm CDT (01:56 UTC): light turbulence, remarks: pocket continuous light turbulence. 70 nm along the route, 3 nm southwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    RPJ UA /OV PLL/TM 0156/FL320/TP A321/TB CONS LGT/RM POCKET CONS LGT TB
    Report
    a routine report filed through RPJ
    Where
    over PLL
    Time
    01:56 UTC
    Height
    at 32,000 ft
    Aircraft
    A321
    Turbulence
    continuous light
    Remarks
    pocket continuous light turbulence
  • UAL2499 at 28,000 ft, 21 nm south, 9:15 pm CDT (02:15 UTC): light chop turbulence. 170 nm along the route, 21 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    ARP UAL2499 4138N 09137W 0215 F280 TB INTMT LGT CHOP IC
    Report
    a routine report filed through ARP
  • C56X at 13,000 ft, 26 nm north, 8:33 pm CDT (01:33 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: zdvwc. 798 nm along the route, 26 nm north of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    LAR UA /OV LAR/TM 0133/FL130/TP C56X/SK BASE160/TB OCNL CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC
    Report
    a routine report filed through LAR
    Where
    over LAR
    Time
    01:33 UTC
    Height
    at 13,000 ft
    Aircraft
    C56X
    Sky
    BASE160
    Turbulence
    occasional continuous light chop
    Remarks
    zdvwc
  • CL35 at 41,000 ft, 47 nm south, 9:40 pm CDT (02:40 UTC): remarks: mtw +/-50FT a 15-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-05. 848 nm along the route, 47 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    EGE UA /OV RLG/TM 0240/FL410/TP CL35/RM MTW +/-50FT +/-15KT ZDVWC-05
    Report
    a routine report filed through EGE
    Where
    over RLG
    Time
    02:40 UTC
    Height
    at 41,000 ft
    Aircraft
    CL35
    Remarks
    mtw +/-50FT a 15-knot loss of airspeed ZDVWC-05
  • GLF6 at 45,000 ft, 28 nm south, 9:24 pm CDT (02:24 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-03. 1047 nm along the route, 28 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    PUC UA /OV PUC1130028/TM 0224/FL450/TP GLF6/TB CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC-03
    Report
    a routine report filed through PUC
    Where
    28 nm southeast (130°) of PUC1
    Time
    02:24 UTC
    Height
    at 45,000 ft
    Aircraft
    GLF6
    Turbulence
    continuous light chop
    Remarks
    ZDVWC-03
  • PRM1 at 21,000 ft, 5 nm northwest, 8:03 pm CDT (01:03 UTC): light rime icing, -15 °C. 1097 nm along the route, 5 nm northwest of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    PVU UA /OV FFU180025/TM 0103/FL210/TP PRM1/TA M15/IC LGT RIME /ZLC
    Report
    a routine report filed through PVU
    Where
    25 nm south (180°) of FFU
    Time
    01:03 UTC
    Height
    at 21,000 ft
    Aircraft
    PRM1
    Temperature
    −15 °C
    Icing
    light rime zlc
  • PC12 at 25,000 ft, 17 nm southeast, 8:35 pm CDT (01:35 UTC): light rime icing, -16 °C, remarks: during the descent zlc. 1127 nm along the route, 17 nm southeast of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    DTA UA /OV DTA360010/TM 0135/FL250/TP PC12/TA M16/IC LGT RIME /RM DURD /ZLC
    Report
    a routine report filed through DTA
    Where
    10 nm north (360°) of DTA
    Time
    01:35 UTC
    Height
    at 25,000 ft
    Aircraft
    PC12
    Temperature
    −16 °C
    Icing
    light rime
    Remarks
    during the descent zlc
  • C680 descending, 47 nm south, 7:46 pm CDT (00:46 UTC): a broken layer from 3,000 ft to 3,500 ft. At the destination end, 47 nm south of the line.
    as filed, and in English
    MRY UA /OV MRY/TM 0046/FLDURD/TP C680/SK BKN030-TOP035
    Report
    a routine report filed through MRY
    Where
    over MRY
    Time
    00:46 UTC
    Height
    during the descent
    Aircraft
    C680
    Sky
    a broken layer from 3,000 ft, tops 3,500 ft

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 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 14 forecast points nearest it (JOT, DBQ, DSM, OMA, GRI, ONL, BFF, DEN, RKS, SLC, ELY, BIH, SAC, SFO). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

HeightAverage windHead- or tailwindTemperatureGround speedTime en routeArrival
4,500 ft220° at 20 kt+14 kt20 °C106 kt14 h 58 min11:27 am PDT (18:27 UTC)
6,500 ft230° at 18 kt+14 kt15 °C106 kt14 h 58 min11:27 am PDT (18:27 UTC)
8,500 ft220° at 20 kt+16 kt9 °C104 kt15 h 15 min11:44 am PDT (18:44 UTC)
10,500 ft220° at 20 kt+17 kt5 °C103 kt15 h 24 min11:53 am PDT (18:53 UTC)
12,500 ft230° at 22 kt+18 kt1 °C102 kt15 h 33 min12:02 pm PDT (19:02 UTC)
14,500 ft230° at 24 kt+20 kt-3 °C100 kt15 h 52 min12:21 pm PDT (19:21 UTC)
16,500 ft230° at 26 kt+22 kt-7 °C98 kt16 h 11 min12:40 pm PDT (19:40 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180230° at 27 kt+24 kt-11 °C96 kt16 h 31 min1:00 pm PDT (20:00 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240230° at 34 kt+29 kt-22 °C91 kt17 h 26 min1:55 pm PDT (20:55 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300230° at 43 kt+38 kt-31 °C82 kt19 h 20 min3:49 pm PDT (22:49 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340240° at 49 kt+48 kt-37 °C72 kt22 h 02 min6:31 pm PDT (01:31 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390250° at 51 kt+52 kt-46 °C68 kt23 h 19 min7:48 pm PDT (02:48 UTC)

Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 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
PointFrom3,0006,0009,00012,00018,00024,00030,00034,00039,000
JOTused from 0 nm out; 31 nm from the line250/23270/22 15°250/16 10°240/9 4°280/22 -7°280/29 -19°300/29 -34°290/50 -43°300/64 -52°
DBQused from 50 nm out; 56 nm from the line230/33250/30 16°280/15 9°260/15 5°260/21 -7°260/24 -20°250/37 -33°270/42 -43°280/63 -52°
DSMused from 199 nm out; 41 nm from the line230/40250/33 17°250/18 12°240/17 5°260/28 -8°270/34 -19°260/41 -33°260/55 -41°270/62 -51°
OMAused from 299 nm out; 47 nm from the line220/47240/33 19°250/18 11°230/17 6°260/29 -8°250/33 -19°250/51 -33°260/61 -40°270/62 -49°
GRIused from 399 nm out; 63 nm from the line230/35 21°230/23 13°220/20 7°240/25 -8°240/37 -20°250/49 -33°260/57 -38°260/58 -47°
ONLused from 499 nm out; 67 nm from the line210/31 20°230/27 13°230/18 7°220/19 -8°240/26 -20°250/44 -35°270/52 -39°260/57 -47°
BFFused from 598 nm out; 86 nm from the line180/28220/33 15°210/31 7°230/32 -9°220/41 -21°220/40 -33°240/47 -36°250/54 -46°
DENused from 748 nm out; 70 nm from the line240/21 14°250/44 6°220/49 -8°220/49 -21°230/54 -30°240/57 -35°240/49 -45°
RKSused from 848 nm out; 100 nm from the line200/41220/44 1°220/35 -11°220/46 -24°210/53 -27°220/62 -35°230/61 -44°
SLCused from 997 nm out; 81 nm from the line200/5230/8 2°220/20 -2°210/40 -12°190/53 -25°210/62 -30°220/69 -34°220/64 -43°
ELYused from 1147 nm out; 61 nm from the line200/39 3°210/27 -2°210/45 -15°220/56 -24°210/60 -28°210/63 -34°220/61 -43°
BIHused from 1346 nm out; 78 nm from the lineL/V240/7 1°190/13 -3°200/26 -16°210/43 -26°220/54 -28°220/51 -35°220/47 -43°
SACused from 1496 nm out; 61 nm from the line110/6L/V 4°010/11 -2°350/11 -7°340/24 -16°360/44 -23°330/24 -30°270/21 -35°230/23 -43°
SFOused from 1546 nm out; 41 nm from the line120/13090/14 5°040/14 -1°350/17 -5°360/42 -14°360/64 -23°350/38 -32°300/19 -37°250/18 -44°

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

AirportWhereConditionsWindVisibilityCeilingElevationReported
ORD Chicago, IL departure VFR from the south (180°) at 7 knots 10+ mi none 680 ft 9:51 pm CDT (02:51 UTC)
DPA Chicago/West Chicago, IL 20 nm out, 7 nm southeast of the line, tower VFR from the south (170°) at 3 knots 10+ mi none 758 ft 02:52 UTC
CID Cedar Rapids, IA 170 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower VFR from the south (180°) at 6 knots 10+ mi none 869 ft 02:52 UTC
TQE Tekamah, NE 369 nm out, 4 nm south of the line VFR from the south-southeast (160°) at 7 knots 10+ mi none 1,026 ft 02:54 UTC
ODX Ord, NE 499 nm out, 4 nm east of the line VFR from the northeast (050°) at 4 knots 10+ mi none 2,070 ft 02:53 UTC
CYS Cheyenne, WY 758 nm out, 8 nm north of the line, tower VFR from the east (090°) at 6 knots 10+ mi none 6,159 ft 02:53 UTC
CAG Craig, CO 888 nm out, 8 nm south of the line VFR from the south (170°) at 13 knots, gusting to 21 10+ mi none 6,197 ft 02:53 UTC
PVU Provo, UT 1077 nm out, 19 nm north of the line, tower VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 900 feet, scattered clouds at 4,800 feet, overcast at 6,500 feet Weather: light rain from the east (100°) at 3 knots 10+ mi 6,500 ft 4,496 ft 03:18 UTC
ELY Ely, NV 1237 nm out, 6 nm northeast of the line VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 4,100 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet, overcast at 6,000 feet Weather: light rain from the south (170°) at 10 knots 10+ mi 5,000 ft 6,259 ft 02:53 UTC
HTH Hawthorne, NV 1416 nm out, 14 nm north of the line VFR Sky: a few clouds at 12,000 feet from the north-northwest (340°) at 4 knots, gusting to 14 10+ mi none 4,230 ft 03:15 UTC
MOD Modesto, CA 1536 nm out, 2 nm south of the line, tower VFR Sky: a few clouds at 8,500 feet from the west (270°) at 5 knots 7 mi none 99 ft 02:53 UTC
SJC San Jose, CA destination VFR calm 10+ mi none 62 ft 7:53 pm PDT (02:53 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 6,259 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At SJC when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 11:27 am PDT (18:27 UTC)

Wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR

The whole forecast for SJC
  • From Sun 5:00 pm PDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
  • From Sun 7:00 pm PDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
  • From Sun 10:00 pm PDT (05:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
  • From Mon 1:00 pm PDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for ORD, the departure
  • From Sun 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 30,000 feet
  • From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 13 knots, gusting to 24, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
  • From Mon 6:00 pm CDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 12,000 feet

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

  • 6/7094 45NM NE MERCED, CA, Sunday, October 4, 2026 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026 UTC 16 nm from the route, 1476 nm along the route · a hazard on the ground (fire-fighting, a chemical spill, rescue work) · until 20 October · ZOA
  • 6/7231 Santa Clara, CA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 2 nm from the route, at the destination end · drones kept away from a public gathering · until 12 October · ZOA

Daylight

Sunset at ORD 6:15 pm CDT (23:15 UTC), at SJC 6:35 pm PDT (01:35 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:01 pm PDT (02:01 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

Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley
Radar now, the upper Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the northern Rockies
Radar now, the northern Rockies · loop National Weather Service
Radar now, the southern Rockies
Radar now, the southern Rockies · loop National Weather Service
Radar, the whole country
Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service
Surface analysis now
Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead
Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

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: Chicago O'Hare International, Mineta San Jose International.