Great Circle Distance Formula:
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The International Flight Time Calculator estimates flight duration based on great circle distance and aircraft speed. It provides a non-stop flight time estimate for planning international travel and flight operations.
The calculator uses the basic time-distance-speed formula:
Where:
Explanation: This calculation provides the theoretical minimum flight time without considering factors like wind, air traffic, or taxiing time.
Details: Accurate flight time estimation is crucial for flight planning, fuel calculation, crew scheduling, passenger information, and connecting flight coordination.
Tips: Enter great circle distance in kilometers and aircraft cruising speed in km/h. Both values must be positive numbers. The result shows estimated flight time in hours.
Q1: What is great circle distance?
A: Great circle distance is the shortest distance between two points on the surface of a sphere, following the curvature of the Earth.
Q2: Why is actual flight time often longer than calculated?
A: Actual flight time includes taxiing, takeoff, landing, air traffic delays, wind conditions, and air route restrictions.
Q3: What is typical cruising speed for commercial aircraft?
A: Most commercial jets cruise at 800-900 km/h, while smaller aircraft may fly at 400-600 km/h.
Q4: How accurate is this calculator for long-haul flights?
A: It provides a good baseline estimate but doesn't account for wind patterns, which can significantly affect transoceanic flights.
Q5: Can this be used for flight planning?
A: This provides a basic estimate. Professional flight planning requires consideration of weather, airspace restrictions, and aircraft performance.