Nonstop flight route between East London, South Africa and Spearfish, South Dakota, United States:
Departure Airport:
(33°2'5"S by 27°49'17"E)
Arrival Airport:
(44°28'49"N by 103°46'59"W)
Distance from ELS to SPF:
9,754.65 miles (15,698.55 km)
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Jump to:
- About this route
- ELS Airport Information
- SPF Airport Information
- Facts about ELS
- Facts about SPF
- Map of Nearest Airports to ELS
- List of Nearest Airports to ELS
- Map of Furthest Airports from ELS
- List of Furthest Airports from ELS
- Map of Nearest Airports to SPF
- List of Nearest Airports to SPF
- Map of Furthest Airports from SPF
- List of Furthest Airports from SPF
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between East London Airport (ELS), East London, South Africa and Black Hills Airport (SPF), Spearfish, South Dakota, United States would travel a Great Circle distance of 9,755 miles (or 15,699 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 East London Airport and Black Hills 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 East London Airport and Black Hills Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | ELS / FAEL |
| Airport Name: | East London Airport |
| Location: | East London, South Africa |
| GPS Coordinates: | 33°2'5"S by 27°49'17"E |
| Area Served: | East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 436 feet (133 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 2 |
| View all routes: | Routes from ELS |
| More Information: | ELS Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | SPF / KSPF |
| Airport Names: |
|
| Location: | Spearfish, South Dakota, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 44°28'49"N by 103°46'59"W |
| Operator/Owner: | Lawrence County Airport Board |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 3931 feet (1,198 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 4 |
| View all routes: | Routes from SPF |
| More Information: | SPF Maps & Info |
Facts about East London Airport (ELS):
- The closest airport to East London Airport (ELS) is Port Alfred Airport (AFD), which is located 65 miles (105 kilometers) WSW of ELS.
- East London's airport is a small but bustling one that plays an important role in the growing economy of the Eastern Cape.
- The airport had an inauspicious beginning in 1927, when Lieut Colonel Alistair Miller asked the East London town council to help establish a municipal aerodrome at Woodbrook, west of the city.
- In 1965 the airport was again moved, this time to its present site, 9 km west of the city centre.
- Because of East London Airport's relatively low elevation of 436 feet, planes can take off or land at East London Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- East London Airport (ELS) has 2 runways.
- The airport was renamed in 1994.
- The furthest airport from East London Airport (ELS) is Kalaupapa Airport (LUP), which is located 11,569 miles (18,618 kilometers) away in Kalaupapa, Hawaii, United States.
Facts about Black Hills Airport (SPF):
- Black Hills Airport (SPF) has 4 runways.
- The closest airport to Black Hills Airport (SPF) is Ellsworth Air Force Base (RCA), which is located 42 miles (67 kilometers) ESE of SPF.
- The furthest airport from Black Hills Airport (SPF) is Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport (RRG), which is located 10,576 miles (17,020 kilometers) away in Rodrigues Island, Mauritius.
- In addition to being known as "Black Hills Airport", another name for SPF is "Clyde Ice Field".
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 65.15 miles (104.85 km) WSW | Port Alfred Airport (AFD) | Port Alfred, South Africa |     |
| 2 | 114.31 miles (183.96 km) NNE | Mthatha Airport (UTT) | Mthatha, South Africa | |
| 3 | 143.28 miles (230.59 km) WSW | Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | |
| 4 | 210.82 miles (339.28 km) NE | Margate Airport (MGH) | Margate, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 5 | 221.32 miles (356.17 km) N | Semonkong Airport (SOK) | Semonkong, Lesotho | |
| 6 | 222.73 miles (358.45 km) NNE | Lebakeng Airport (LEF) | Lebakeng, Lesotho | |
| 7 | 226.04 miles (363.78 km) N | Mafeteng Airport (MFC) | Mafeteng, Lesotho | |
| 8 | 228.78 miles (368.18 km) N | Lesobeng Airport (LES) | Lesobeng, Lesotho | |
| 9 | 247.37 miles (398.09 km) N | Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU) | Maseru, Lesotho | |
| 10 | 269.67 miles (433.99 km) NNE | Mokhotlong Airport (MKH) | Mokhotlong, Lesotho | |
| 11 | 279.14 miles (449.23 km) NNE | Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) | Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | |
| 12 | 286.72 miles (461.43 km) NNW | Bloemfontein International Airport (BFN) | Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa | |
| 13 | 289.10 miles (465.25 km) N | Leribe Airport (LRB) | Leribe, Lesotho | |
| 14 | 305.60 miles (491.81 km) NE | King Shaka International (DUR) | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 15 | 320.45 miles (515.72 km) WSW | George Airport (GRJ) | George, South Africa | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,568.58 miles (18,617.79 km) NNE | Kalaupapa Airport (LUP) | Kalaupapa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 2 | 11,567.16 miles (18,615.49 km) NNE | Princeville Airport (HPV) | Hanalei, Hawaii, United States | |
| 3 | 11,563.78 miles (18,610.05 km) NNE | Dillingham Airfield (HDH) | Mokuleia, Hawaii, United States | |
| 4 | 11,562.20 miles (18,607.51 km) NNE | Molokai Airport (MKK) | Kaunakakai, Hawaii, United States | |
| 5 | 11,561.78 miles (18,606.84 km) NNE | Wheeler AAF (HHI) | Wahiawa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 6 | 11,558.95 miles (18,602.28 km) NNE | Hana Airport (HNM) | Hana, Hawaii, United States | |
| 7 | 11,558.59 miles (18,601.70 km) NNE | Kahului Airport (OGG) | Kahului, Hawaii, United States | |
| 8 | 11,558.30 miles (18,601.24 km) NNE | Kapalua Airport (JHM) | Lahaina, Hawaii, United States | |
| 9 | 11,556.31 miles (18,598.04 km) NNE | Lihue Airport (LIH) | Lihue, Hawaii, United States | |
| 10 | 11,554.09 miles (18,594.46 km) NNE | Honolulu International Airport (HNL) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 11 | 11,554.09 miles (18,594.46 km) NNE | Hickam Field (HIK) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 12 | 11,549.72 miles (18,587.42 km) NNE | Kalaeloa Airport (NAX) | Kapolei, Hawaii, United States | |
| 13 | 11,545.26 miles (18,580.25 km) NNE | PMRF Barking Sands (BKH) | Kekaha, Hawaii, United States | |
| 14 | 11,543.40 miles (18,577.26 km) NNE | Port Allen Airport (PAK) | Hanapepe, Hawaii, United States | |
| 15 | 11,541.15 miles (18,573.63 km) NNE | Lanai Airport (LNY) | Lanai City, Hawaii, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 41.93 miles (67.49 km) ESE | Ellsworth Air Force Base (RCA) | Rapid City, South Dakota, United States | |
| 2 | 46.83 miles (75.37 km) SE | Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) | Rapid City, South Dakota, United States | |
| 3 | 87.15 miles (140.26 km) W | Gillette–Campbell County Airport (GCC) | Gillette, Wyoming, United States | |
| 4 | 118.60 miles (190.86 km) SSE | Chadron Municipal Airport (CDR) | Chadron, Nebraska, United States | |
| 5 | 119.06 miles (191.60 km) SSE | Pine Ridge Airport (XPR) | Pine Ridge, South Dakota, United States | |
| 6 | 119.17 miles (191.79 km) N | Bowman Municipal Airport (BWM) | Bowman, North Dakota, United States | |
| 7 | 141.22 miles (227.28 km) SW | Converse County Airport (DGW) | Douglas, Wyoming, United States | |
| 8 | 158.48 miles (255.04 km) W | Sheridan County Airport (SHR) | Sheridan, Wyoming, United States | |
| 9 | 166.95 miles (268.68 km) NNE | Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (DIK) | Dickinson, North Dakota, United States | |
| 10 | 167.95 miles (270.29 km) S | Torrington Municipal Airport (TOR) | Torrington, Wyoming, United States | |
| 11 | 168.81 miles (271.67 km) NW | Miles City Airport (MLS) | Miles City, Montana, United States | |
| 12 | 172.45 miles (277.53 km) SW | Casper–Natrona County International AirportCasper Army Airfield (CPR) | Casper, Wyoming, United States | |
| 13 | 172.65 miles (277.86 km) E | Pierre Regional Airport (PIR) | Pierre, South Dakota, United States | |
| 14 | 174.77 miles (281.26 km) SSE | Alliance Municipal Airport (AIA) | Alliance, Nebraska, United States | |
| 15 | 180.33 miles (290.21 km) S | Western Nebraska Regional Airport (BFF) | Scottsbluff, Nebraska, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 10,575.67 miles (17,019.84 km) SSE | Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport (RRG) | Rodrigues Island, Mauritius | |
| 2 | 10,465.10 miles (16,841.91 km) SE | Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) | Plaisance, Mauritius | |
| 3 | 10,445.51 miles (16,810.38 km) SE | Pierrefonds Airport (ZSE) | Saint-Pierre, Réunion | |
| 4 | 10,423.12 miles (16,774.35 km) SE | Roland Garros Airport (RUN) | St Denis, Réunion, France | |
| 5 | 10,320.60 miles (16,609.36 km) ESE | Tôlanaro Airport (FTU) | Tôlanaro, Madagascar | |
| 6 | 10,254.94 miles (16,503.69 km) W | Margaret River Airport (MGV) | Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 7 | 10,231.49 miles (16,465.95 km) W | Busselton Regional Airport (BQB) | Busselton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 8 | 10,215.78 miles (16,440.66 km) W | Manjimup Airport (MJP) | Manjimup, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 9 | 10,207.37 miles (16,427.13 km) ESE | Ampanihy Airport (AMP) | Ampanihy, Madagascar | |
| 10 | 10,206.72 miles (16,426.07 km) W | Bunbury Airport (BUY) | Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 11 | 10,177.37 miles (16,378.85 km) SE | Mananjary Airport (MNJ) | Mananjary, Madagascar | |
| 12 | 10,162.10 miles (16,354.27 km) W | Rottnest Airport (RTS) | Rottnest Island, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 13 | 10,157.15 miles (16,346.31 km) W | Albany Airport (ALH) | Albany, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 14 | 10,148.92 miles (16,333.06 km) W | Jandakot Airport (JAD) | Jandakot, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 15 | 10,140.14 miles (16,318.93 km) SE | Fianarantsoa Airport (WFI) | Fianarantsoa, Madagascar | |