Nonstop flight route between Houston, Texas, United States and Christmas Island, Australia:
Departure Airport:
(29°59'3"N by 95°20'29"W)
Arrival Airport:
(10°27'2"S by 105°41'25"E)
Distance from IAH to XCH:
10,525.52 miles (16,939.14 km)
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- About this route
- IAH Airport Information
- XCH Airport Information
- Facts about IAH
- Facts about XCH
- Map of Nearest Airports to IAH
- List of Nearest Airports to IAH
- Map of Furthest Airports from IAH
- List of Furthest Airports from IAH
- Map of Nearest Airports to XCH
- List of Nearest Airports to XCH
- Map of Furthest Airports from XCH
- List of Furthest Airports from XCH
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Houston, Texas, United States and Christmas Island Airport (XCH), Christmas Island, Australia would travel a Great Circle distance of 10,526 miles (or 16,939 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 George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Christmas Island 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 George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Christmas Island Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | IAH / KIAH |
| Airport Names: |
|
| Location: | Houston, Texas, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 29°59'3"N by 95°20'29"W |
| Area Served: | Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land |
| Operator/Owner: | City of Houston |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 97 feet (30 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 5 |
| View all routes: | Routes from IAH |
| More Information: | IAH Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | XCH / YPXM |
| Airport Name: | Christmas Island Airport |
| Location: | Christmas Island, Australia |
| GPS Coordinates: | 10°27'2"S by 105°41'25"E |
| Operator/Owner: | Toll Remote Logistics |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 916 feet (279 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from XCH |
| More Information: | XCH Maps & Info |
Facts about George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH):
- Because of George Bush Intercontinental Airport's relatively low elevation of 97 feet, planes can take off or land at George Bush Intercontinental 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.
- Houston Intercontinental Airport, as it was originally known, opened in June 1969.
- On June 19, 2014, Emirates Airlines announced that it would become the second operator of the Airbus A380 at Intercontinental Airport, upgrading its service from Dubai to Houston from Boeing 777 to the "Super Jumbo" A380.
- Houston became the sixth U.S.
- The closest airport to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH), which is located only 14 miles (22 kilometers) WNW of IAH.
- The Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center, located on the airport grounds at 16600 JFK Boulevard, serves as the region's ARTCC.
- Atlas Air offers a thrice-weekly charter service to Luanda, Angola on behalf of SonAir.
- In addition to being known as "George Bush Intercontinental Airport", another name for IAH is "Houston-Intercontinental".
- Terminal C was the third terminal to open at the airport following A and B in 1981.
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) has 5 runways.
- The furthest airport from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is Cocos (Keeling) Island Airport (CCK), which is located 10,981 miles (17,672 kilometers) away in Cocos Islands, Australia.
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport handled 40,128,953 passengers last year.
Facts about Christmas Island Airport (XCH):
- Because of Christmas Island Airport's relatively low elevation of 916 feet, planes can take off or land at Christmas Island 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 furthest airport from Christmas Island Airport (XCH) is Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ), which is nearly antipodal to Christmas Island Airport (meaning Christmas Island Airport is almost on the exact opposite side of the Earth from Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport), and is located 12,393 miles (19,944 kilometers) away in Barranquilla, Colombia.
- A brief revival of the "old days" happened in 2001 during the "Tampa" crisis when the heightened Royal Australian Air Force traffic was complemented by a large number of Department of Immigration and Citizenship and media charters.
- Christmas Island Airport is a quiet airport and served 27,286 revenue passengers during financial year 2010-2011.
- After the closure of the casino, the resort was taken over by the Asia Pacific Space Centre, which developed plans for a satellite launch facility on Christmas Island.
- Traffic to and from the airport varies greatly.
- The closest airport to Christmas Island Airport (XCH) is Cibeureum Airfield (TSY), which is located 276 miles (445 kilometers) NE of XCH.
- Christmas Island Airport (XCH) currently has only 1 runway.
- Christmas Island Airport handled 27,286 passengers last year.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 13.73 miles (22.10 km) WNW | David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH) | Houston, Texas, United States |     |
| 2 | 22.91 miles (36.88 km) WSW | West Houston Airport (IWS) | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| 3 | 23.51 miles (37.83 km) SW | Andrau Airpark (AAP) | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| 4 | 23.71 miles (38.16 km) S | William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| 5 | 25.80 miles (41.52 km) N | Lone Star Executive Airport (CXO) | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| 6 | 27.01 miles (43.47 km) ESE | Baytown Airport (HPY) | Baytown, Texas, United States | |
| 7 | 28.27 miles (45.49 km) SSE | Ellington Field Joint Reserve BaseEllington Air Force BaseEllington Field (EFD) | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| 8 | 31.36 miles (50.47 km) SW | Sugar Land Regional Airport (SGR) | Sugar Land, Texas (near Houston), United States | |
| 9 | 54.68 miles (88.01 km) NNW | Bruce Brothers Huntsville Regional Airport (HTV) | Huntsville, Texas, United States | |
| 10 | 57.47 miles (92.49 km) SSE | Scholes International Airport at Galveston (GLS) | Galveston, Texas, United States | |
| 11 | 60.95 miles (98.09 km) S | Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport (LJN) | Angleton / Lake Jackson, Texas, United States | |
| 12 | 67.64 miles (108.86 km) E | Beaumont Municipal Airport (BMT) | Beaumont, Texas, United States | |
| 13 | 70.21 miles (112.99 km) SW | Wharton Regional Airport (WHT) | Wharton, Texas, United States | |
| 14 | 73.92 miles (118.96 km) NW | Easterwood Airport (CLL) | College Station, Texas, United States | |
| 15 | 76.59 miles (123.26 km) SSW | Bay City Municipal Airport (BBC) | Bay City, Texas, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 10,980.75 miles (17,671.75 km) SW | Cocos (Keeling) Island Airport (CCK) | Cocos Islands, Australia | |
| 2 | 10,930.08 miles (17,590.21 km) ESE | Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport (RRG) | Rodrigues Island, Mauritius | |
| 3 | 10,653.97 miles (17,145.86 km) W | Shark Bay Airport (MJK) | Monkey Mia, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 4 | 10,643.13 miles (17,128.41 km) W | Kalbarri Airport (KAX) | Kalbarri, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 5 | 10,638.26 miles (17,120.57 km) WSW | Margaret River Airport (MGV) | Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 6 | 10,631.57 miles (17,109.82 km) ESE | Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) | Plaisance, Mauritius | |
| 7 | 10,631.12 miles (17,109.09 km) W | Geraldton Airport (GET) | Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 8 | 10,628.04 miles (17,104.13 km) W | Carnarvon Airport (CVQ) | Carnarvon, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 9 | 10,625.98 miles (17,100.81 km) W | Jurien Bay Airport (JUR) | Jurien Bay, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 10 | 10,621.00 miles (17,092.80 km) WSW | Busselton Regional Airport (BQB) | Busselton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 11 | 10,608.64 miles (17,072.91 km) WSW | Rottnest Airport (RTS) | Rottnest Island, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 12 | 10,604.78 miles (17,066.70 km) WSW | Bunbury Airport (BUY) | Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 13 | 10,589.11 miles (17,041.48 km) WSW | Jandakot Airport (JAD) | Jandakot, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 14 | 10,583.34 miles (17,032.19 km) WSW | Perth Airport (PER) | Perth, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 15 | 10,578.77 miles (17,024.83 km) W | Mullewa Airport (MXU) | Mullewa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 276.45 miles (444.90 km) NE | Cibeureum Airfield (TSY) | Tasikmalaya, West Java, Indonesia | |
| 2 | 277.04 miles (445.86 km) NNE | Husein Sastranegara International Airport (HSA) (BDO) | Bandung, Indonesia | |
| 3 | 300.52 miles (483.64 km) NNE | Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (HLP) | Jakarta, Indonesia | |
| 4 | 300.72 miles (483.96 km) NE | Tunggul Wulung Airport (CXP) | Cilacap, Java Island, Indonesia | |
| 5 | 306.03 miles (492.51 km) NNE | Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (CGK) | Jakarta, Indonesia | |
| 6 | 320.99 miles (516.58 km) NE | Penggung Airport/Chakrabhuwana Airport (CBN) | Cirebon, Java, Indonesia | |
| 7 | 327.59 miles (527.20 km) NE | Purwokerto / Wirasaba Airport (PWL) | Wirasaba, Central Java, Indonesia | |
| 8 | 361.54 miles (581.84 km) N | Radin Inten II Airport (RIA II) (TKG) | Bandar Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia | |
| 9 | 372.08 miles (598.81 km) ENE | Adisucipto International Airport (JOG) | Yogyakarta, Indonesia | |
| 10 | 400.10 miles (643.90 km) NE | Achmad Yani International Airport (AYIA) (SRG) | Semarang, Indonesia | |
| 11 | 404.30 miles (650.65 km) N | Gunung Batin Airport (AKQ) | Astraksetra, Indonesia | |
| 12 | 458.82 miles (738.39 km) ENE | Ngloram Airport (CPF) | Cepu, Indonesia | |
| 13 | 509.81 miles (820.45 km) ENE | Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport (MLG) | Malang, East Java, Indonesia | |
| 14 | 509.93 miles (820.65 km) NNW | Fatmawati Soekarno Airport (BKS) | Bengkulu, Indonesia | |
| 15 | 526.08 miles (846.63 km) N | Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport (SMB II) (PLM) | Palembang, Sumatra, Indonesia | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 12,392.74 miles (19,944.12 km) NE | Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ) | Barranquilla, Colombia | |
| 2 | 12,390.27 miles (19,940.16 km) N | Simón Bolívar International Airport (SMR) | Santa Marta, Colombia | |
| 3 | 12,364.75 miles (19,899.08 km) W | Alfonso López Pumarejo Airport (VUP) | Valledupar, Colombia | |
| 4 | 12,355.03 miles (19,883.45 km) E | Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) | Cartagena, Colombia | |
| 5 | 12,334.93 miles (19,851.10 km) NE | Las Brujas Airport (CZU) | Corozal, Colombia | |
| 6 | 12,317.08 miles (19,822.37 km) NW | Almirante Padilla Airport (RCH) | Riohacha, Colombia | |
| 7 | 12,302.01 miles (19,798.12 km) WNW | La Mina Airport Jorge Isaacs Airport (MCJ) | Maicao, La Guajira, Colombia | |
| 8 | 12,284.15 miles (19,769.38 km) NE | Los Garzones Airport (MTR) | Montería, Córdoba, Colombia | |
| 9 | 12,278.93 miles (19,760.97 km) NNE | Ayapel Airport (AYA) | Ayapel, Colombia | |
| 10 | 12,261.24 miles (19,732.50 km) W | La Chinita International Airport (MAR) | Maracaibo, Venezuela | |
| 11 | 12,254.90 miles (19,722.30 km) NNE | Caucasia Airport Juan H. White Airport (CAQ) | Caucasia, Antioquia, Colombia | |
| 12 | 12,246.04 miles (19,708.04 km) WNW | Miguel Urdaneta Fernández Airport (STB) | Santa Bárbara del Zulia, Venezuela | |
| 13 | 12,236.67 miles (19,692.97 km) N | El Bagre Airport El Tomin Airport (EBG) | El Bagre, Colombia | |
| 14 | 12,233.62 miles (19,688.05 km) W | Oro Negro Airport (CBS) | Cabimas, Venezuela | |
| 15 | 12,230.26 miles (19,682.64 km) NW | La Fría Airport (LFR) | La Fria, Venezuela | |