Nonstop flight route between Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States and Port Elizabeth, South Africa:
Departure Airport:
(42°52'50"N by 85°31'22"W)
Arrival Airport:
(33°59'4"S by 25°36'37"E)
Distance from GRR to PLZ:
8,763.04 miles (14,102.71 km)
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Jump to:
- About this route
- GRR Airport Information
- PLZ Airport Information
- Facts about GRR
- Facts about PLZ
- 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 PLZ
- List of Nearest Airports to PLZ
- Map of Furthest Airports from PLZ
- List of Furthest Airports from PLZ
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR), Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States and Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ), Port Elizabeth, South Africa would travel a Great Circle distance of 8,763 miles (or 14,103 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 Port Elizabeth International 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 Gerald R. Ford International Airport and Port Elizabeth International Airport. 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: | PLZ / FAPE |
| Airport Name: | Port Elizabeth International Airport |
| Location: | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
| GPS Coordinates: | 33°59'4"S by 25°36'37"E |
| Area Served: | Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 226 feet (69 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 2 |
| View all routes: | Routes from PLZ |
| More Information: | PLZ Maps & Info |
Facts about Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR):
- Until October 31, 2011 the airport was a focus city for Allegiant Air.
- 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.
- The airport has two aircraft spotter locations.
- The first scheduled air service in the United States was between Grand Rapids and Detroit on a Ford-Stout monoplane named Miss Grand Rapids, which started July 26, 1926.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) has 3 runways.
Facts about Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ):
- The airport resides at an elevation of 226 feet above mean sea level.
- The closest airport to Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) is Port Alfred Airport (AFD), which is located 79 miles (127 kilometers) ENE of PLZ.
- In 2013, the airport served 1,269,634 passengers.
- June, 2010 - South African Airways operated an Airbus A340-200 to Port Elizabeth to help manage the extra volume of people during the FIFA World Cup 2010.
- Because of Port Elizabeth International Airport's relatively low elevation of 226 feet, planes can take off or land at Port Elizabeth 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.
- Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) has 2 runways.
- Construction of the permanent terminal buildings, runways and an air traffic control building began in 1950.
- The furthest airport from Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) is Princeville Airport (HPV), which is located 11,567 miles (18,615 kilometers) away in Hanalei, Hawaii, United States.
- Air Force Station Port Elizabeth is home to C Flight of 15 Squadron of the South African Air Force.
| 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 | 78.75 miles (126.73 km) ENE | Port Alfred Airport (AFD) | Port Alfred, South Africa | |
| 2 | 143.28 miles (230.59 km) ENE | East London Airport (ELS) | East London, South Africa | |
| 3 | 184.99 miles (297.72 km) W | George Airport (GRJ) | George, South Africa | |
| 4 | 245.11 miles (394.47 km) NE | Mthatha Airport (UTT) | Mthatha, South Africa | |
| 5 | 304.52 miles (490.08 km) NNE | Mafeteng Airport (MFC) | Mafeteng, Lesotho | |
| 6 | 320.47 miles (515.74 km) NNE | Semonkong Airport (SOK) | Semonkong, Lesotho | |
| 7 | 332.65 miles (535.34 km) NNE | Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU) | Maseru, Lesotho | |
| 8 | 333.67 miles (536.98 km) NNE | Lesobeng Airport (LES) | Lesobeng, Lesotho | |
| 9 | 334.46 miles (538.25 km) NNE | Lebakeng Airport (LEF) | Lebakeng, Lesotho | |
| 10 | 340.38 miles (547.79 km) N | Bloemfontein International Airport (BFN) | Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa | |
| 11 | 350.38 miles (563.88 km) NE | Margate Airport (MGH) | Margate, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 12 | 361.57 miles (581.90 km) N | Kimberley Airport (KIM) | Kimberley, South Africa | |
| 13 | 382.50 miles (615.57 km) NNE | Leribe Airport (LRB) | Leribe, Lesotho | |
| 14 | 383.44 miles (617.09 km) NNE | Mokhotlong Airport (MKH) | Mokhotlong, Lesotho | |
| 15 | 401.75 miles (646.55 km) W | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Cape Town, South Africa | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,567.15 miles (18,615.48 km) NNE | Princeville Airport (HPV) | Hanalei, Hawaii, United States | |
| 2 | 11,554.19 miles (18,594.63 km) NNE | Lihue Airport (LIH) | Lihue, Hawaii, United States | |
| 3 | 11,548.86 miles (18,586.04 km) NNE | Dillingham Airfield (HDH) | Mokuleia, Hawaii, United States | |
| 4 | 11,547.60 miles (18,584.02 km) NNE | PMRF Barking Sands (BKH) | Kekaha, Hawaii, United States | |
| 5 | 11,544.96 miles (18,579.76 km) NNE | Wheeler AAF (HHI) | Wahiawa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 6 | 11,543.44 miles (18,577.32 km) NNE | Port Allen Airport (PAK) | Hanapepe, Hawaii, United States | |
| 7 | 11,540.26 miles (18,572.21 km) N | Kalaupapa Airport (LUP) | Kalaupapa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 8 | 11,535.54 miles (18,564.60 km) NNE | Honolulu International Airport (HNL) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 9 | 11,535.54 miles (18,564.60 km) NNE | Hickam Field (HIK) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 10 | 11,534.95 miles (18,563.65 km) N | Molokai Airport (MKK) | Kaunakakai, Hawaii, United States | |
| 11 | 11,532.58 miles (18,559.84 km) NNE | Kalaeloa Airport (NAX) | Kapolei, Hawaii, United States | |
| 12 | 11,526.35 miles (18,549.82 km) N | Kapalua Airport (JHM) | Lahaina, Hawaii, United States | |
| 13 | 11,524.08 miles (18,546.17 km) N | Kahului Airport (OGG) | Kahului, Hawaii, United States | |
| 14 | 11,520.12 miles (18,539.80 km) N | Hana Airport (HNM) | Hana, Hawaii, United States | |
| 15 | 11,511.49 miles (18,525.90 km) N | Lanai Airport (LNY) | Lanai City, Hawaii, United States | |