Nonstop flight route between Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States and Francistown, Botswana:
Departure Airport:
(42°52'50"N by 85°31'22"W)
Arrival Airport:
(21°9'33"S by 27°28'27"E)
Distance from GRR to FRW:
8,349.09 miles (13,436.52 km)
Share this route:
Jump to:
- About this route
- GRR Airport Information
- FRW Airport Information
- Facts about GRR
- Facts about FRW
- Map of Nearest Airports to GRR
- List of Nearest Airports to GRR
- Map of Furthest Airports from GRR
- List of Furthest Airports from GRR
- Map of Nearest Airports to FRW
- List of Nearest Airports to FRW
- Map of Furthest Airports from FRW
- List of Furthest Airports from FRW
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR), Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States and Francistown International Airport/Francistown Air Base (FRW), Francistown, Botswana would travel a Great Circle distance of 8,349 miles (or 13,437 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 Gerald R. Ford International Airport and Francistown International Airport/Francistown Air Base, 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 Gerald R. Ford International Airport and Francistown International Airport/Francistown Air Base. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | GRR / KGRR |
| Airport Name: | Gerald R. Ford International Airport |
| Location: | Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 42°52'50"N by 85°31'22"W |
| Area Served: | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Operator/Owner: | Kent County |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 794 feet (242 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 3 |
| View all routes: | Routes from GRR |
| More Information: | GRR Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | FRW / FBFT |
| Airport Names: |
|
| Location: | Francistown, Botswana |
| GPS Coordinates: | 21°9'33"S by 27°28'27"E |
| Operator/Owner: | Botswana Defence Force/Botswana CAA |
| Airport Type: | Public/Military |
| Elevation: | 3283 feet (1,001 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 2 |
| View all routes: | Routes from FRW |
| More Information: | FRW Maps & Info |
Facts about Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR):
- In April 2012 Frontier Airlines ended flights from Grand Rapids to Milwaukee.
- When new baggage screening regulations were introduced by the Transportation Security Administration in 2002, the airport was one of the first in the nation to conduct trials on the new screening machines.
- In 1997 the new 8,500-foot runway 17/35 was added to allow the airport to continue operations during the $32 million reconstruction of runway 8R/26L, completed in 2001.
- The airport is the largest commercial airport in the West Michigan region and is the second largest airport in Michigan after Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.
- Because of Gerald R. Ford International Airport's relatively low elevation of 794 feet, planes can take off or land at Gerald R. Ford International 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.
- The closest airport to Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) is Park Township Airport (HLM), which is located 33 miles (53 kilometers) W of GRR.
- Route 17, Woodland/Airport, travels between the airport and Woodland Mall seven days a week.
- The furthest airport from Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) is Margaret River Airport (MGV), which is located 11,165 miles (17,969 kilometers) away in Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.
- Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) has 3 runways.
- Until October 31, 2011 the airport was a focus city for Allegiant Air.
Facts about Francistown International Airport/Francistown Air Base (FRW):
- The closest airport to Francistown International Airport/Francistown Air Base (FRW) is Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ), which is located 108 miles (174 kilometers) NE of FRW.
- The furthest airport from Francistown International Airport/Francistown Air Base (FRW) is Hilo International Airport (ITO), which is nearly antipodal to Francistown International Airport/Francistown Air Base (meaning Francistown International Airport/Francistown Air Base is almost on the exact opposite side of the Earth from Hilo International Airport), and is located 12,246 miles (19,707 kilometers) away in Hilo, Hawaii, United States.
- The new terminal building opened in 2011 and the old terminal is now used by the Botswana Defence Force.
- In addition to being known as "Francistown International Airport/Francistown Air Base", another name for FRW is "FBFT [1]".
- Two new runways are being added as well as the renovations of the current ones.
- Francistown is home to Botswana Defence Force Air Wing's Z3 Transport Squadron and Z12 Transport Squadron.
- Francistown International Airport/Francistown Air Base (FRW) has 2 runways.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 32.91 miles (52.96 km) W | Park Township Airport (HLM) | Holland, Michigan, United States |     |
| 2 | 41.10 miles (66.15 km) WNW | Muskegon County Airport (MKG) | Muskegon, Michigan, United States | |
| 3 | 42.05 miles (67.67 km) SSE | W. K. Kellogg Airport (BTL) | Battle Creek, Michigan, United States | |
| 4 | 44.65 miles (71.85 km) S | Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) | Kalamazoo/Battle Creek, Michigan, United States | |
| 5 | 47.98 miles (77.22 km) E | Capital Region International Airport (LAN) | Lansing, Michigan, United States | |
| 6 | 51.99 miles (83.67 km) NE | Gratiot Community Airport (AMN) | Alma, Michigan, United States | |
| 7 | 58.16 miles (93.60 km) N | Roben-Hood Airport (WBR) | Big Rapids, Michigan, United States | |
| 8 | 64.67 miles (104.07 km) NE | Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport (MOP) | Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States | |
| 9 | 68.98 miles (111.01 km) SE | Jackson County Airport (JXN) | Jackson, Michigan, United States | |
| 10 | 69.41 miles (111.71 km) SW | Southwest Michigan Regional Airport (BEH) | Benton Harbor, Michigan, United States | |
| 11 | 70.42 miles (113.33 km) N | Nartron Field (RCT) | Reed City, Michigan, United States | |
| 12 | 80.33 miles (129.28 km) SSW | Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport (NLE) | Niles, Michigan, United States | |
| 13 | 83.92 miles (135.05 km) SSW | Elkhart Municipal Airport (EKI) | Elkhart, Indiana, United States | |
| 14 | 85.50 miles (137.60 km) ENE | MBS International Airport (MBS) | Midland/Bay City/Saginaw, Michigan, United States | |
| 15 | 86.94 miles (139.91 km) NNW | Mason County Airport (LDM) | Ludington, Michigan, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,165.30 miles (17,968.77 km) WSW | Margaret River Airport (MGV) | Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 2 | 11,141.54 miles (17,930.52 km) WSW | Busselton Regional Airport (BQB) | Busselton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 3 | 11,129.20 miles (17,910.67 km) WSW | Manjimup Airport (MJP) | Manjimup, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 4 | 11,116.13 miles (17,889.63 km) WSW | Bunbury Airport (BUY) | Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 5 | 11,073.67 miles (17,821.31 km) WSW | Albany Airport (ALH) | Albany, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 6 | 11,064.64 miles (17,806.77 km) WSW | Rottnest Airport (RTS) | Rottnest Island, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 7 | 11,053.03 miles (17,788.09 km) WSW | Jandakot Airport (JAD) | Jandakot, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 8 | 11,042.31 miles (17,770.83 km) WSW | Perth Airport (PER) | Perth, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 9 | 11,035.28 miles (17,759.52 km) WSW | Katanning Airport (KNI) | Katanning, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 10 | 11,008.73 miles (17,716.78 km) WSW | Jurien Bay Airport (JUR) | Jurien Bay, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 11 | 10,950.27 miles (17,622.70 km) SW | Geraldton Airport (GET) | Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 12 | 10,914.20 miles (17,564.66 km) WSW | Morawa Airport (MWB) | Morawa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 13 | 10,912.41 miles (17,561.78 km) SW | Kalbarri Airport (KAX) | Kalbarri, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 14 | 10,900.16 miles (17,542.07 km) WSW | Mullewa Airport (MXU) | Mullewa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 15 | 10,843.36 miles (17,450.65 km) SW | Shark Bay Airport (MJK) | Monkey Mia, Western Australia, Australia | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 108.15 miles (174.04 km) NE | Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ) | Bulawayo, Zimbabwe | |
| 2 | 177.23 miles (285.23 km) N | Hwange National Park Airport (HWN) | Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe | |
| 3 | 195.21 miles (314.16 km) NE | Gweru-Thornhill Air Base (GWE) | Gweru, Zimbabwe | |
| 4 | 224.67 miles (361.56 km) SE | Polokwane International Airport (PTG) | Polokwane, South Africa | |
| 5 | 231.79 miles (373.02 km) ENE | Masvingo Airport (MVZ) | Masvingo, Zimbabwe | |
| 6 | 236.92 miles (381.28 km) NNW | Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) | Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe | |
| 7 | 254.47 miles (409.52 km) NNW | Livingstone Airport (LVI) | Livingstone, Zambia | |
| 8 | 254.68 miles (409.87 km) SSW | Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) | Gaborone, Botswana | |
| 9 | 264.79 miles (426.13 km) E | Buffalo Range Airport (BFO) | Chiredzi, Zimbabwe | |
| 10 | 274.11 miles (441.13 km) WNW | Maun Airport (MUB) | Maun, Botswana | |
| 11 | 274.92 miles (442.45 km) NNW | Kasane Airport (BBK) | Kasane, Botswana | |
| 12 | 289.04 miles (465.16 km) S | Pilanesberg International Airport (NTY) | Pilanesberg, South Africa | |
| 13 | 296.07 miles (476.48 km) SW | Jwaneng Airport (JWA) | Jwaneng, Botswana | |
| 14 | 300.56 miles (483.71 km) SSW | Lobatse Airport (LOQ) | Lobatse, Botswana | |
| 15 | 303.25 miles (488.04 km) SE | Hendrik Van Eck Airport (PHW) | Phalaborwa, South Africa | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 12,245.59 miles (19,707.31 km) ENE | Hilo International Airport (ITO) | Hilo, Hawaii, United States | |
| 2 | 12,218.36 miles (19,663.49 km) ENE | Waimea-Kohala Airport (MUE) | Kamuela, Hawaii, United States | |
| 3 | 12,212.63 miles (19,654.27 km) ENE | Upolu Airport (UPP) | Hawi, Hawaii, United States | |
| 4 | 12,211.04 miles (19,651.72 km) ENE | Pōhakuloa Training Area (BSF) | Camp Pohakuloa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 5 | 12,210.32 miles (19,650.56 km) E | Hana Airport (HNM) | Hana, Hawaii, United States | |
| 6 | 12,188.69 miles (19,615.75 km) ENE | Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA) | Kailua / Kona, Hawaii, United States | |
| 7 | 12,184.32 miles (19,608.72 km) E | Kahului Airport (OGG) | Kahului, Hawaii, United States | |
| 8 | 12,169.04 miles (19,584.12 km) E | Kapalua Airport (JHM) | Lahaina, Hawaii, United States | |
| 9 | 12,150.23 miles (19,553.84 km) E | Kalaupapa Airport (LUP) | Kalaupapa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 10 | 12,150.10 miles (19,553.65 km) E | Lanai Airport (LNY) | Lanai City, Hawaii, United States | |
| 11 | 12,142.28 miles (19,541.06 km) E | Molokai Airport (MKK) | Kaunakakai, Hawaii, United States | |
| 12 | 12,089.08 miles (19,455.43 km) E | Honolulu International Airport (HNL) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 13 | 12,089.08 miles (19,455.43 km) E | Hickam Field (HIK) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 14 | 12,081.19 miles (19,442.75 km) E | Wheeler AAF (HHI) | Wahiawa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 15 | 12,079.58 miles (19,440.14 km) E | Kalaeloa Airport (NAX) | Kapolei, Hawaii, United States | |