Nonstop flight route between Edwards, California, United States and Mthatha, South Africa:
Departure Airport:
(34°54'20"N by 117°53'0"W)
Arrival Airport:
(31°32'47"S by 28°40'31"E)
Distance from EDW to UTT:
10,499.09 miles (16,896.61 km)
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Jump to:
- About this route
- EDW Airport Information
- UTT Airport Information
- Facts about EDW
- Facts about UTT
- Map of Nearest Airports to EDW
- List of Nearest Airports to EDW
- Map of Furthest Airports from EDW
- List of Furthest Airports from EDW
- Map of Nearest Airports to UTT
- List of Nearest Airports to UTT
- Map of Furthest Airports from UTT
- List of Furthest Airports from UTT
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Edwards Air Force Base (EDW), Edwards, California, United States and Mthatha Airport (UTT), Mthatha, South Africa would travel a Great Circle distance of 10,499 miles (or 16,897 kilometers).
A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between Edwards Air Force Base and Mthatha Airport, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.
Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between Edwards Air Force Base and Mthatha Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | EDW / KEDW |
| Airport Name: | Edwards Air Force Base |
| Location: | Edwards, California, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 34°54'20"N by 117°53'0"W |
| Operator/Owner: | United States Air Force |
| View all routes: | Routes from EDW |
| More Information: | EDW Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | UTT / FAUT |
| Airport Name: | Mthatha Airport |
| Location: | Mthatha, South Africa |
| GPS Coordinates: | 31°32'47"S by 28°40'31"E |
| Area Served: | Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Operator/Owner: | Provincial Government |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 2429 feet (740 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from UTT |
| More Information: | UTT Maps & Info |
Facts about Edwards Air Force Base (EDW):
- As a military airbase, civilian access is severely restricted, but is possible with prior coordination and good reason.
- The furthest airport from Edwards Air Force Base (EDW) is Pierrefonds Airport (ZSE), which is located 11,414 miles (18,369 kilometers) away in Saint-Pierre, Réunion.
- Aircraft testing continued at this desert "Army Air Base", then on 8 November 1943, the base title was changed to "Muroc Army Air Field, Muroc".
- The closest airport to Edwards Air Force Base (EDW) is Mojave Air and Space Port (MHV), which is located only 19 miles (30 kilometers) NW of EDW.
- Four months later on 10 February 1948, Muroc AAF was re-designated Muroc Air Force Base with the establishment of the United States Air Force as a separate military service.
- The base has played a significant role in the development of virtually every aircraft to enter the Air Force inventory since World War II.
- Previously known as Muroc Air Force Base, Edwards AFB is named in honor of Captain Glen Edwards.
- Conscious that March Field was located in an area of increasing growth, and with the need for bombing and gunnery ranges for his units, base and 1st Wing commander Lieutenant Colonel Henry H.
Facts about Mthatha Airport (UTT):
- The furthest airport from Mthatha Airport (UTT) is Kalaupapa Airport (LUP), which is located 11,642 miles (18,736 kilometers) away in Kalaupapa, Hawaii, United States.
- The closest airport to Mthatha Airport (UTT) is Margate Airport (MGH), which is located 109 miles (176 kilometers) ENE of UTT.
- Mthatha Airport (UTT) currently has only 1 runway.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 18.53 miles (29.82 km) NW | Mojave Air and Space Port (MHV) | Mojave, California, United States |     |
| 2 | 22.14 miles (35.63 km) WSW | General Wm. J. Fox Airfield (WJF) | Lancaster, California, United States | |
| 3 | 22.22 miles (35.77 km) SSW | Palmdale Regional Airport (PMD) | Palmdale, California, United States | |
| 4 | 35.21 miles (56.66 km) WNW | Tehachapi Municipal Airport (TSP) | Tehachapi, California, United States | |
| 5 | 35.50 miles (57.14 km) SE | Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV) | Victorville, California, United States | |
| 6 | 45.70 miles (73.55 km) ESE | Apple Valley Airport (APV) | Apple Valley, California, United States | |
| 7 | 52.12 miles (83.88 km) N | Inyokern Airport (IYK) | Inyokern, California, United States | |
| 8 | 53.87 miles (86.70 km) SW | Whiteman Airport (WHP) | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| 9 | 55.71 miles (89.65 km) SSW | Bob Hope Airport (BUR) | Burbank, California, United States | |
| 10 | 55.98 miles (90.09 km) SSE | Cable Airport (CCB) | Upland, California, United States | |
| 11 | 56.53 miles (90.98 km) S | Brackett Field (POC) | La Verne, California, United States | |
| 12 | 57.27 miles (92.16 km) S | San Gabriel Valley (El Monte) Airport (EMT) | El Monte, California, United States | |
| 13 | 59.18 miles (95.24 km) SW | Van Nuys Airport (VNY) | Van Nuys, California, United States | |
| 14 | 60.86 miles (97.94 km) SSE | LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT) | Ontario (near Los Angeles), California, United States | |
| 15 | 62.28 miles (100.23 km) E | Barstow-Daggett Airport (DAG) | Daggett, California, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,414.23 miles (18,369.37 km) SSE | Pierrefonds Airport (ZSE) | Saint-Pierre, Réunion | |
| 2 | 11,400.85 miles (18,347.84 km) SSE | Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) | Plaisance, Mauritius | |
| 3 | 11,388.63 miles (18,328.18 km) SSE | Roland Garros Airport (RUN) | St Denis, Réunion, France | |
| 4 | 11,387.41 miles (18,326.22 km) S | Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport (RRG) | Rodrigues Island, Mauritius | |
| 5 | 11,304.13 miles (18,192.19 km) ESE | Tôlanaro Airport (FTU) | Tôlanaro, Madagascar | |
| 6 | 11,181.54 miles (17,994.90 km) ESE | Ampanihy Airport (AMP) | Ampanihy, Madagascar | |
| 7 | 11,174.55 miles (17,983.65 km) SE | Mananjary Airport (MNJ) | Mananjary, Madagascar | |
| 8 | 11,135.89 miles (17,921.44 km) SE | Fianarantsoa Airport (WFI) | Fianarantsoa, Madagascar | |
| 9 | 11,037.73 miles (17,763.47 km) SE | Toamasino Airport (TMM) | Toamasina, Madagascar | |
| 10 | 11,011.33 miles (17,720.97 km) SE | Manja Airport (MJA) | Manja, Menabe, Madagascar | |
| 11 | 11,007.64 miles (17,715.04 km) SE | Ivato International Airport (TNR) | Antananarivo, Madagascar | |
| 12 | 10,995.36 miles (17,695.27 km) ESE | Andavadoaka Airport (DVD) | Andavadoaka, Toliara province, Atsimo-Andrefana region, Madagascar | |
| 13 | 10,991.28 miles (17,688.71 km) SE | Sainte Marie Airport (SMS) | Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar | |
| 14 | 10,983.71 miles (17,676.52 km) ESE | Morombe Airport (MXM) | Morombe, Madagascar | |
| 15 | 10,967.39 miles (17,650.26 km) SE | Miandrivazo Airport (ZVA) | Miandrivazo, Madagascar | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 109.39 miles (176.05 km) ENE | Margate Airport (MGH) | Margate, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 2 | 114.31 miles (183.96 km) SSW | East London Airport (ELS) | East London, South Africa | |
| 3 | 114.39 miles (184.10 km) N | Lebakeng Airport (LEF) | Lebakeng, Lesotho | |
| 4 | 123.55 miles (198.83 km) NNW | Semonkong Airport (SOK) | Semonkong, Lesotho | |
| 5 | 125.17 miles (201.45 km) N | Lesobeng Airport (LES) | Lesobeng, Lesotho | |
| 6 | 147.60 miles (237.54 km) NW | Mafeteng Airport (MFC) | Mafeteng, Lesotho | |
| 7 | 158.26 miles (254.69 km) N | Mokhotlong Airport (MKH) | Mokhotlong, Lesotho | |
| 8 | 158.75 miles (255.49 km) NNW | Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU) | Maseru, Lesotho | |
| 9 | 166.52 miles (267.98 km) NE | Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) | Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | |
| 10 | 173.72 miles (279.57 km) SW | Port Alfred Airport (AFD) | Port Alfred, South Africa | |
| 11 | 189.60 miles (305.13 km) NNW | Leribe Airport (LRB) | Leribe, Lesotho | |
| 12 | 196.76 miles (316.66 km) NE | King Shaka International (DUR) | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 13 | 214.85 miles (345.77 km) NNE | Ladysmith Airport (LAY) | Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 14 | 220.71 miles (355.19 km) NW | Bloemfontein International Airport (BFN) | Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa | |
| 15 | 245.11 miles (394.47 km) SW | Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,642.06 miles (18,736.04 km) NNE | Kalaupapa Airport (LUP) | Kalaupapa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 2 | 11,639.36 miles (18,731.70 km) NNE | Hana Airport (HNM) | Hana, Hawaii, United States | |
| 3 | 11,636.25 miles (18,726.68 km) NNE | Kahului Airport (OGG) | Kahului, Hawaii, United States | |
| 4 | 11,635.06 miles (18,724.77 km) NNE | Molokai Airport (MKK) | Kaunakakai, Hawaii, United States | |
| 5 | 11,634.31 miles (18,723.56 km) NNE | Kapalua Airport (JHM) | Lahaina, Hawaii, United States | |
| 6 | 11,628.23 miles (18,713.77 km) NNE | Dillingham Airfield (HDH) | Mokuleia, Hawaii, United States | |
| 7 | 11,627.58 miles (18,712.73 km) NNE | Wheeler AAF (HHI) | Wahiawa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 8 | 11,621.20 miles (18,702.45 km) NNE | Honolulu International Airport (HNL) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 9 | 11,621.20 miles (18,702.45 km) NNE | Hickam Field (HIK) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 10 | 11,620.94 miles (18,702.05 km) NE | Princeville Airport (HPV) | Hanalei, Hawaii, United States | |
| 11 | 11,615.92 miles (18,693.96 km) NNE | Kalaeloa Airport (NAX) | Kapolei, Hawaii, United States | |
| 12 | 11,615.88 miles (18,693.90 km) NNE | Lanai Airport (LNY) | Lanai City, Hawaii, United States | |
| 13 | 11,611.81 miles (18,687.35 km) NE | Lihue Airport (LIH) | Lihue, Hawaii, United States | |
| 14 | 11,608.22 miles (18,681.57 km) NNE | Upolu Airport (UPP) | Hawi, Hawaii, United States | |
| 15 | 11,597.70 miles (18,664.64 km) NE | PMRF Barking Sands (BKH) | Kekaha, Hawaii, United States | |