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Flight Time Formula:
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Flight travel time calculation estimates the duration of a flight based on the great circle distance between two points and the average speed of the aircraft. This provides a fundamental estimation for flight planning and scheduling purposes.
The calculator uses the basic flight time formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula provides a basic estimation of flight duration by dividing the total distance by the average speed of the aircraft.
Details: Accurate flight time estimation is crucial for flight planning, fuel calculation, crew scheduling, passenger information, and airport slot management. It helps airlines optimize operations and ensure safety compliance.
Tips: Enter great circle distance in kilometers and average speed in kilometers per hour. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will provide the 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: What factors affect actual flight time?
A: Wind conditions, air traffic control restrictions, aircraft type, altitude, and routing can all affect actual flight time.
Q3: What is typical cruising speed for commercial aircraft?
A: Most commercial jets cruise at 800-900 km/h, though this can vary by aircraft type and flight conditions.
Q4: Why is this estimation basic?
A: This calculation doesn't account for takeoff, landing, taxiing, or air traffic delays, which can add significant time to the total journey.
Q5: How accurate is this estimation?
A: For planning purposes, it provides a good baseline, but actual flight times may vary by 10-20% due to operational factors.