FTCfly gives quick, clear estimates. This page explains exactly how those numbers are produced and where their limits are, so you can use them sensibly.
How we estimate flight time
For two airports we work out the great-circle distance (the shortest path over the curved Earth) from their coordinates using the haversine formula, divide it by an average cruise speed of about 800 km/h, and add roughly 30 minutes for taxiing, take-off, climb, descent and landing. Arrival time is then converted into the destination's local time using the IANA time-zone database.
Why the real flight can differ
Our figure is an estimate for a single nonstop leg. Real flights vary because of:
- Winds and the jet stream. Eastbound flights ride a tailwind and are faster, while westbound is slower.
- Routing. Real air-traffic routes are a few percent longer than the straight line.
- Aircraft type and its cruising speed.
- Connections. Layovers and the detour via a hub add a lot of time.
In practice, estimates are usually within about 15% of the published schedule, but this is not guaranteed.
Not for operational use
FTCfly is for general information and trip planning only. Please do not use it for booking decisions, catching connections, flight operations, navigation, or anything safety-critical. Always confirm with the airline or operator. The CO₂ and jet-lag figures are general guideline estimates too.
Data sources
Airport coordinates and time zones come from OpenFlights (ODbL), and the world map outline is from Natural Earth (public domain). Data can contain errors or be out of date, so please report anything wrong and I will fix it.
Advertising and affiliate disclosure
FTCfly may display third-party advertising and may contain affiliate links, for example to eSIMs, travel insurance, airport transfers or booking sites. If you buy through an affiliate link, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences the flight-time numbers, which are pure calculation, and we only suggest things we think are genuinely useful to travellers.
Contact
Questions? Email newwebsite260@gmail.com.