Louisville Muhammad Ali International to John F Kennedy International SDF → JFK
574 nautical miles (660 statute miles) east on a straight line, true course 071°, about 076° magnetic at the departure end (variation 5W). At 120 knots that is 3 h 44 min at the quickest height in today's winds (34,000 ft, a 34-knot tailwind), arriving about 6:01 am EDT (10:01 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now SDF is VFR, wind from the east-southeast (120°) at 3 knots; JFK is IFR, wind from the north-northeast (020°) at 11 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: 1,566 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 whole route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 208 to 405 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 21,000 ft to 33,000 ft. Over the last 237 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 SDF.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- A319 at 23,000 ft, 33 nm south, 11:21 pm EDT (03:21 UTC): moderate turbulence. 534 nm along the route, 33 nm south of the line.
as filed, and in English
MJX UA /OV CYN345010/TM 0321/FL230/TP A319/TB MOD
- Report
- a routine report filed through MJX
- Where
- 10 nm north (345°) of CYN
- Time
- 03:21 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A319
- Turbulence
- moderate
- E145 at 600 ft, 2 nm northwest, 11:20 pm EDT (03:20 UTC): overcast above 600 ft. 435 nm along the route, 2 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
MDT UA /OV MDT/TM 0320/FL006/TP E145/SK OVC 006
- Report
- a routine report filed through MDT
- Where
- over MDT
- Time
- 03:20 UTC
- Height
- at 600 ft
- Aircraft
- E145
- Sky
- overcast from 600 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 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 8 forecast points nearest it (LOU, CVG, CRW, EKN, AGC, PSB, AVP, JFK). 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 | 320° at 14 kt | −6 kt | 126 kt | 4 h 33 min | 6:50 am EDT (10:50 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 330° at 18 kt | −4 kt | 13 °C | 124 kt | 4 h 38 min | 6:55 am EDT (10:55 UTC) |
| 7,500 ft | 330° at 19 kt | −5 kt | 11 °C | 125 kt | 4 h 36 min | 6:53 am EDT (10:53 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 320° at 19 kt | −7 kt | 7 °C | 127 kt | 4 h 31 min | 6:48 am EDT (10:48 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 320° at 17 kt | −7 kt | 4 °C | 127 kt | 4 h 31 min | 6:48 am EDT (10:48 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 320° at 17 kt | −8 kt | 0 °C | 128 kt | 4 h 29 min | 6:46 am EDT (10:46 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 310° at 19 kt | −9 kt | -4 °C | 129 kt | 4 h 27 min | 6:44 am EDT (10:44 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 310° at 20 kt | −11 kt | -8 °C | 131 kt | 4 h 23 min | 6:40 am EDT (10:40 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 310° at 21 kt | −11 kt | -9 °C | 131 kt | 4 h 23 min | 6:40 am EDT (10:40 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 310° at 25 kt | −15 kt | -21 °C | 135 kt | 4 h 15 min | 6:32 am EDT (10:32 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 300° at 34 kt | −24 kt | -35 °C | 144 kt | 3 h 59 min | 6:16 am EDT (10:16 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 280° at 40 kt | −34 kt | -40 °C | 154 kt | 3 h 44 min | 6:01 am EDT (10:01 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 280° at 36 kt | −33 kt | -48 °C | 153 kt | 3 h 45 min | 6:02 am EDT (10:02 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
| Point | From | 3,000 | 6,000 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 18,000 | 24,000 | 30,000 | 34,000 | 39,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOU | used from 0 nm out; 21 nm from the line | 310/18 | 340/28 16° | 340/29 10° | 350/27 3° | 330/27 -7° | 340/39 -19° | 330/58 -33° | 330/67 -41° | 330/40 -49° |
| CVG | used from 49 nm out; 36 nm from the line | 320/18 | 350/32 16° | 350/35 10° | 350/30 3° | 330/30 -7° | 340/44 -20° | 340/58 -35° | 330/72 -41° | 320/36 -49° |
| CRW | used from 148 nm out; 50 nm from the line | 330/20 | 330/23 11° | 340/25 8° | 340/21 2° | 340/33 -9° | 340/41 -20° | 330/42 -35° | 320/44 -39° | 320/43 -47° |
| EKN | used from 247 nm out; 39 nm from the line | 330/21 12° | 330/25 7° | 350/22 2° | 330/24 -10° | 310/27 -21° | 320/33 -35° | 290/31 -39° | 290/34 -47° | |
| AGC | used from 297 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 350/14 | 330/20 11° | 340/18 8° | 330/17 3° | 340/22 -11° | 340/31 -22° | 330/33 -36° | 300/34 -41° | 300/35 -47° |
| PSB | used from 346 nm out; 59 nm from the line | 360/13 13° | 330/14 7° | 300/11 3° | 290/12 -11° | 240/23 -23° | 270/25 -36° | 250/34 -40° | 250/45 -48° | |
| AVP | used from 445 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 150/5 | 350/13 12° | 270/20 8° | 260/17 4° | 260/25 -11° | 240/31 -22° | 240/54 -35° | 230/61 -41° | 240/55 -49° |
| JFK | used from 495 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 250/18 | 250/23 14° | 240/33 9° | 240/33 4° | 240/38 -10° | 240/45 -21° | 230/86 -32° | 230/102 -40° | 230/84 -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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDF Louisville, KY | departure | VFR Weather: mist | from the east-southeast (120°) at 3 knots | 6 mi | none | 500 ft | 1:56 am EDT (05:56 UTC) |
| LEX Lexington, KY | 49 nm out, 25 nm south of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 200 feet Weather: mist | from the southwest (230°) at 4 knots | 3 mi | 200 ft | 979 ft | 06:12 UTC |
| AMT West Union, OH | 109 nm out, 7 nm north of the line | no report just now | 896 ft | ||||
| JRO Jackson, OH | 158 nm out, 3 nm west of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 1,000 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet | variable at 2 knots | 10+ mi | 1,000 ft | 726 ft | 05:55 UTC |
| PKB Parkersburg, WV | 218 nm out, 8 nm northwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 800 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet | from the west-northwest (290°) at 3 knots | 8 mi | 1,300 ft | 858 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| CKB Clarksburg, WV | 267 nm out, 11 nm south of the line, tower | low IFR Sky: overcast at 400 feet Weather: mist | from the west-northwest (290°) at 4 knots | 6 mi | 400 ft | 1,223 ft | 06:00 UTC |
| MGW Morgantown, WV | 287 nm out, 6 nm northwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 500 feet, overcast at 1,100 feet Weather: mist | calm | 2.5 mi | 500 ft | 1,243 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| HGR Hagerstown, MD | 386 nm out, 16 nm south of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 600 feet | from the north (350°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | 600 ft | 703 ft | 05:53 UTC |
| MDT Harrisburg, PA | 435 nm out, 2 nm northwest of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,000 feet Weather: light rain | from the northwest (320°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 1,000 ft | 310 ft | 05:56 UTC |
| RDG Reading, PA | 475 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line, tower | IFR Sky: overcast at 900 feet | from the north-northeast (030°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | 900 ft | 343 ft | 05:54 UTC |
| EWR Newark, NJ | 554 nm out, 7 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 800 feet, overcast at 1,300 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 12 knots | 10+ mi | 1,300 ft | 17 ft | 05:51 UTC |
| JFK New York, NY | destination | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 900 feet, overcast at 1,800 feet | from the north-northeast (020°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 900 ft | 13 ft | 1:51 am EDT (05:51 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,243 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At JFK when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 6:01 am EDT (10:01 UTC)
Wind from the north-northeast at 13 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, overcast at 800 feet IFR
The whole forecast for JFK
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the north-northeast at 13 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, showers nearby, overcast at 800 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the north at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 800 feet, overcast at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 11:00 am EDT (15:00 UTC): wind from the north at 11 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm EDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 2,500 feet, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the north-northwest at 4 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, a few clouds at 15,000 feet
The forecast for SDF, the departure
- From Mon 2:00 am EDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the south at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
- At times between Mon 5:00 am EDT (09:00 UTC) and 9:00 am EDT (13:00 UTC): visibility ½ mile, fog, clear skies
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 3 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 5/2811 NEW YORK, NY, Monday, October 20, 2025 through Tuesday, October 20, 2026 Local 8 nm from the route, at the destination end · security · until 20 October · ZNY
Daylight
Sunset at SDF 7:09 pm EDT (23:09 UTC), at JFK 6:19 pm EDT (22:19 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:47 pm EDT (22:47 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at JFK is before sunrise there (7:02 am EDT (11:02 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: Louisville Muhammad Ali International, John F Kennedy International.