Philadelphia International to Charleston Afb/Intl Airport PHL → CHS
478 nautical miles (551 statute miles) southwest on a straight line, true course 210°, about 222° magnetic at the departure end (variation 12W). At 120 knots that is 4 h 50 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 21-knot headwind), arriving about 2:05 am EDT (06:05 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now PHL is IFR, wind from the northeast (040°) at 9 knots, gusting to 17; CHS is VFR, wind from the west-southwest (240°) at 6 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: 2,313 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 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the first 150 nm of 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). Near the route, at the departure end.
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the first 40 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 PHL.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A21N at 18,000 ft, 26 nm northwest, 8:38 pm EDT (00:38 UTC): moderate clear-air turbulence. At the departure end, 26 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PTW UA /OV PTW/TM 0038/FL180/TP A21N/TB MOD CAT
- Report
- a routine report filed through PTW
- Where
- over PTW
- Time
- 00:38 UTC
- Height
- at 18,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- moderate clear-air turbulence
- B38M at 25,000 ft, 15 nm northeast, 6:25 pm EDT (22:25 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the departure end, 15 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
TEB UA /OV 3958N 07457W/TM 2225/FL250/TP B38M/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through TEB
- Where
- 3958N 07457W
- Time
- 22:25 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- moderate
- E145 at 12,000 ft, 49 nm northwest, 8:43 pm EDT (00:43 UTC): moderate turbulence. At the departure end, 49 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LNS UA /OV LRP/TM 0043/FL120/TP E145/TB CONS MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through LNS
- Where
- over LRP
- Time
- 00:43 UTC
- Height
- at 12,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Turbulence
- continuous moderate
- E75L at 20,000 ft, 9 nm northwest, 8:41 pm EDT (00:41 UTC): moderate turbulence above 20,000 ft. 20 nm along the route, 9 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ILG UA /OV DQO/TM 0041/FL200/TP E75L/TB MOD 200
- Report
- a routine report filed through ILG
- Where
- over DQO
- Time
- 00:41 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Turbulence
- moderate at 20,000 ft
- BCS3 at 19,000 ft, 8 nm southeast, 8:18 pm EDT (00:18 UTC): moderate turbulence above 17,000 ft, -9 °C. 40 nm along the route, 8 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DOV UA /OV ENO/TM 0018/FL190/TP BCS3/TA M09/TB MOD 170
- Report
- a routine report filed through DOV
- Where
- over ENO
- Time
- 00:18 UTC
- Height
- at 19,000 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Temperature
- −9 °C
- Turbulence
- moderate at 17,000 ft
- A321 climbing, 0 nm northwest, 8:20 pm EDT (00:20 UTC): light chop turbulence, sandstorm. At the departure end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHL UA /OV E NE PHL/TM 0020/FLDURC/TP A321/WV LOSS 15KT AT 015 /TB LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHL
- Where
- east northeast phl
- Time
- 00:20 UTC
- Height
- during the climb
- Aircraft
- A321
- Wind
- loss 15 knots at at 1,500 ft
- Turbulence
- light chop
- PC24 at 900 ft, 14 nm northeast, 7:25 pm EDT (23:25 UTC): remarks: reported bases 900 ft during the descent RY6. At the departure end, 14 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PNE UA /OV PNE240002/TM 2325/FL009/TP PC24/RM RPTD BASES 009 DURD RY6
- Report
- a routine report filed through PNE
- Where
- 2 nm southwest (240°) of PNE
- Time
- 23:25 UTC
- Height
- at 900 ft
- Aircraft
- PC24
- Remarks
- reported bases 900 ft during the descent RY6
- C680 at 1,400 ft, 43 nm northwest, 7:20 pm EDT (23:20 UTC): a broken layer above 1,400 ft, remarks: reported 30 knots crosswind until at 40,000 ft feet above ground, wind calm below 40,000 ft feet above ground final runway 36. At the departure end, 43 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
RDG UA /OV 2 S RDG/TM 2320/FL014/TP C680/SK BKN014/RM REPORTED 30KT CROSSWIND UNTIL 400 FEET AGL, WIND CALM BELOW 400 FEET AGL. FNL RWY 36
- Report
- a routine report filed through RDG
- Where
- 2 south rdg
- Time
- 23:20 UTC
- Height
- at 1,400 ft
- Aircraft
- C680
- Sky
- a broken layer from 1,400 ft
- Remarks
- reported 30 knots crosswind until at 40,000 ft feet above ground, wind calm below 40,000 ft feet above ground final runway 36
- A319 at 10,000 ft, 10 nm north, 7:01 pm EDT (23:01 UTC): no turbulence, vmc, 8 °C, wind 230° at 30 knots. At the departure end, 10 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHL UA /OV 10 N PHL/TM 2301/FL100/TP A319/SK VMC/TA 8/WV 23030KT/TB SMOOTH
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHL
- Where
- 10 north phl
- Time
- 23:01 UTC
- Height
- at 10,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Sky
- visual conditions
- Temperature
- 8 °C
- Wind
- from 230° at 30 knots
- Turbulence
- smooth
- B189 descending, 14 nm northeast, 6:57 pm EDT (22:57 UTC): overcast above 800 ft. At the departure end, 14 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PNE UA /OV PNE240002/TM 2257/FLDURD/TP B189/SK OVC008
- Report
- a routine report filed through PNE
- Where
- 2 nm southwest (240°) of PNE
- Time
- 22:57 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B189
- Sky
- overcast from 800 ft
- C68A descending, 14 nm northeast, 6:28 pm EDT (22:28 UTC): overcast above 700 ft. At the departure end, 14 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
PNE UA /OV PNE240002/TM 2228/FLDURD/TP C68A/SK OVC007
- Report
- a routine report filed through PNE
- Where
- 2 nm southwest (240°) of PNE
- Time
- 22:28 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- C68A
- Sky
- overcast from 700 ft
- A320 at 800 ft, 0 nm northwest, 6:25 pm EDT (22:25 UTC): overcast above 800 ft. At the departure end, 0 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
PHL UA /OV PHL/TM 2225/FL008/TP A320/SK OVC008
- Report
- a routine report filed through PHL
- Where
- over PHL
- Time
- 22:25 UTC
- Height
- at 800 ft
- Aircraft
- A320
- Sky
- overcast from 800 ft
- A21N at 20,000 ft, 39 nm southeast, 8:28 pm EDT (00:28 UTC): light rime icing, -10 °C. At the departure end, 39 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ACY UA /OV ACY/TM 0028/FL200/TP A21N/TA M10/IC LGT RIME
- Report
- a routine report filed through ACY
- Where
- over ACY
- Time
- 00:28 UTC
- Height
- at 20,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Temperature
- −10 °C
- Icing
- light rime
- BCS3 at 1,800 ft, 39 nm southeast, 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): remarks: tops 1,800 ft during the climb. At the departure end, 39 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
ACY UA /OV ACY/TM 0000/FL018/TP BCS3/RM TOPS 018 DURC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ACY
- Where
- over ACY
- Time
- 00:00 UTC
- Height
- at 1,800 ft
- Aircraft
- BCS3
- Remarks
- tops 1,800 ft during the climb
16 more routine reports are on the map.
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 5 forecast points nearest it (ACY, RIC, RDU, FLO, CHS). 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 | 230° at 22 kt | +21 kt | 99 kt | 4 h 50 min | 2:05 am EDT (06:05 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 230° at 23 kt | +21 kt | 12 °C | 99 kt | 4 h 50 min | 2:05 am EDT (06:05 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 230° at 29 kt | +27 kt | 11 °C | 93 kt | 5 h 08 min | 2:23 am EDT (06:23 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 230° at 33 kt | +31 kt | 9 °C | 89 kt | 5 h 22 min | 2:37 am EDT (06:37 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 230° at 36 kt | +34 kt | 6 °C | 86 kt | 5 h 33 min | 2:48 am EDT (06:48 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 230° at 39 kt | +36 kt | 2 °C | 84 kt | 5 h 41 min | 2:56 am EDT (06:56 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 230° at 42 kt | +39 kt | -3 °C | 81 kt | 5 h 54 min | 3:09 am EDT (07:09 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 230° at 44 kt | +41 kt | -6 °C | 79 kt | 6 h 03 min | 3:18 am EDT (07:18 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 230° at 63 kt | +60 kt | -16 °C | 60 kt | 7 h 58 min | 5:13 am EDT (09:13 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 220° at 78 kt | +76 kt | -30 °C | 44 kt | 10 h 52 min | 8:07 am EDT (12:07 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 220° at 81 kt | +80 kt | -40 °C | 40 kt | 11 h 57 min | 9:12 am EDT (13:12 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 220° at 78 kt | +76 kt | -52 °C | 44 kt | 10 h 52 min | 8:07 am EDT (12:07 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACY | used from 0 nm out; 43 nm from the line | 230/15 | 230/22 15° | 230/31 11° | 230/27 6° | 230/40 -7° | 230/51 -17° | 230/71 -31° | 230/81 -41° | 230/86 -53° |
| RIC | used from 100 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 190/33 | 200/29 14° | 210/31 12° | 210/38 6° | 230/42 -7° | 230/68 -16° | 220/84 -29° | 220/86 -40° | 220/81 -52° |
| RDU | used from 249 nm out; 34 nm from the line | 240/28 | 250/22 10° | 230/30 11° | 230/40 7° | 230/45 -4° | 220/69 -15° | 220/83 -29° | 210/84 -40° | 220/75 -52° |
| FLO | used from 349 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 240/25 | 270/23 11° | 250/36 10° | 240/38 7° | 240/50 -4° | 230/66 -15° | 220/75 -30° | 210/77 -40° | 220/73 -52° |
| CHS | used from 449 nm out; 15 nm from the line | 260/22 | 280/26 12° | 260/37 12° | 250/40 8° | 240/54 -4° | 230/55 -15° | 220/61 -31° | 200/66 -41° | 210/62 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHL Philadelphia, PA | departure | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 600 feet, overcast at 900 feet Weather: mist | from the northeast (040°) at 9 knots, gusting to 17 | 6 mi | 600 ft | 35 ft | 9:11 pm EDT (01:11 UTC) |
| ILG Wilmington, DE | 20 nm out, 9 nm northwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 500 feet Weather: rain | from the northeast (040°) at 11 knots | 5 mi | 500 ft | 79 ft | 00:51 UTC |
| ESN Easton, MD | 80 nm out, 5 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,900 feet Weather: light rain, mist | from the southeast (130°) at 6 knots | 5 mi | 1,900 ft | 72 ft | 00:45 UTC |
| XSA Tappahannock, VA | 140 nm out, 8 nm west of the line | reported, no category | calm | 500 ft | 135 ft | 23:35 UTC | |
| RIC Richmond, VA | 169 nm out, 14 nm west of the line, tower | VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, a broken layer at 4,000 feet, overcast at 5,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 19 knots, gusting to 27 | 10+ mi | 4,000 ft | 167 ft | 00:59 UTC |
| EMV Emporia, VA | 219 nm out, 3 nm east of the line | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,100 feet, scattered clouds at 1,600 feet, a broken layer at 2,400 feet | from the south (180°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 2,400 ft | 126 ft | 23:35 UTC |
| RWI Rocky Mount, NC | 269 nm out, 10 nm southeast of the line | VFR Sky: overcast at 5,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 8 knots, gusting to 21 | 10+ mi | 5,000 ft | 157 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| JNX Smithfield, NC | 299 nm out, 2 nm west of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,900 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 4,900 ft | 164 ft | 00:55 UTC |
| FAY Fayetteville, NC | 339 nm out, 8 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the southwest (220°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | none | 189 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| FLO Florence, SC | 399 nm out, 22 nm west of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southwest (210°) at 9 knots | 10+ mi | none | 146 ft | 00:53 UTC |
| PHH Andrews, SC | 439 nm out, 8 nm east of the line | no report just now | 26 ft | ||||
| CHS Charleston, SC | destination | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,400 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | 4,400 ft | 46 ft | 8:56 pm EDT (00:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 189 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At CHS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:05 am EDT (06:05 UTC)
Wind from the west at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies VFR
The whole forecast for CHS
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet
- At times between Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC) and 10:00 pm EDT (02:00 UTC): a broken layer at 4,000 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the west at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
The forecast for PHL, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 10 knots, visibility 3 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 8 knots, visibility 5 miles, light rain, mist, overcast at 500 feet
- From Mon 6:00 am EDT (10:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 10 knots, visibility 5 miles, mist, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the north at 12 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, overcast at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 6:00 pm EDT (22:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8719 Greenwood, DE, Friday, October 16, 2026 through Saturday, October 17, 2026 UTC 11 nm from the route, 60 nm along the route · air shows/sports · starts Friday 16 October · ZDC
- 6/8886 Greenwood, DE, Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 11 nm from the route, 60 nm along the route · air shows/sports · starts Sunday 18 October · ZDC
- 4/9383 WASHINGTON, DC., USA 12 nm from the route, 90 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8508 Johnsontown, NC 12 nm from the route, 349 nm along the route · security · ZDC
- 6/8713 Maxton, NC, Friday, October 16, 2026 through Sunday, October 18, 2026 UTC 18 nm from the route, 359 nm along the route · air shows/sports · starts Friday 16 October · ZDC
Daylight
Sunset at PHL 6:26 pm EDT (22:26 UTC), at CHS 6:50 pm EDT (22:50 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:15 pm EDT (23:15 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at CHS is before sunrise there (7:21 am EDT (11:21 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: Philadelphia International, Charleston Afb/Intl Airport.