Nonstop flight route between Kos Island, Greece and Anchorage, Alaska, United States:

About this route:

A direct, nonstop flight between Kos Island International Airport, Hippocrates (KGS), Kos Island, Greece and Elmendorf Air Force Base (EDF), Anchorage, Alaska, United States would travel a Great Circle distance of 5,660 miles (or 9,109 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 Kos Island International Airport, Hippocrates and Elmendorf Air Force 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 Kos Island International Airport, Hippocrates and Elmendorf Air Force Base. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!

Departure Airport Information:

Arrival Airport Information:

Facts about Kos Island International Airport, Hippocrates (KGS):

• Kos Island International Airport, Hippocrates (KGS) currently has only 1 runway.
• The furthest airport from Kos Island International Airport, Hippocrates (KGS) is Rurutu Airport (RUR), which is located 11,440 miles (18,411 kilometers) away in Rurutu, French Polynesia.
• In addition to being known as "Kos Island International Airport, Hippocrates", another name for KGS is "Κρατικός Αερολιμένας Κω, Ιπποκράτης".
• The closest airport to Kos Island International Airport, Hippocrates (KGS) is Leros Municipal Airport (LRS), which is located 31 miles (51 kilometers) NNW of KGS.
• Because of Kos Island International Airport, Hippocrates's relatively low elevation of 409 feet, planes can take off or land at Kos Island International Airport, Hippocrates 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.

Facts about Elmendorf Air Force Base (EDF):

• The uncertain world situation in late 1940s and early 1950s caused a major buildup of air defense forces in Alaska.
• In addition to being known as "Elmendorf Air Force Base", another name for EDF is "JB Elmendorf-Richardson".
• The first Air Force unit to be assigned to Alaska, the 18th Pursuit Squadron, arrived in February 1941.
• The furthest airport from Elmendorf Air Force Base (EDF) is Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ), which is located 10,542 miles (16,965 kilometers) away in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
• The closest airport to Elmendorf Air Force Base (EDF) is Merrill Field (MRI), which is located only 3 miles (5 kilometers) SSW of EDF.
• The Department of Defense proposed a major realignment of the base as part of the Base Realignment and Closure program announced on 13 May 2005.
• Despite a diminished number of personnel and aircraft, a turning point in Elmendorf's history occurred in 1970 with the arrival of the 43d Tactical Fighter Squadron in June 1970 from MacDill AFB, Florida.
• The late 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s brought about a gradual, but significant decline in air defense forces in Alaska due to mission changes and the demands of the Vietnam War.