Nonstop flight route between Memphis, Tennessee, United States and Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa:
Departure Airport:
(35°2'32"N by 89°58'36"W)
Arrival Airport:
(28°34'47"S by 29°45'11"E)
Distance from MEM to LAY:
8,922.75 miles (14,359.74 km)
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Jump to:
- About this route
- MEM Airport Information
- LAY Airport Information
- Facts about MEM
- Facts about LAY
- Map of Nearest Airports to MEM
- List of Nearest Airports to MEM
- Map of Furthest Airports from MEM
- List of Furthest Airports from MEM
- Map of Nearest Airports to LAY
- List of Nearest Airports to LAY
- Map of Furthest Airports from LAY
- List of Furthest Airports from LAY
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Memphis International Airport (MEM), Memphis, Tennessee, United States and Ladysmith Airport (LAY), Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa would travel a Great Circle distance of 8,923 miles (or 14,360 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 Memphis International Airport and Ladysmith 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 Memphis International Airport and Ladysmith Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | MEM / KMEM |
| Airport Name: | Memphis International Airport |
| Location: | Memphis, Tennessee, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 35°2'32"N by 89°58'36"W |
| Area Served: | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 341 feet (104 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 4 |
| View all routes: | Routes from MEM |
| More Information: | MEM Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | LAY / FALY |
| Airport Name: | Ladysmith Airport |
| Location: | Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| GPS Coordinates: | 28°34'47"S by 29°45'11"E |
| Operator/Owner: | Municipal |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 3548 feet (1,081 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from LAY |
| More Information: | LAY Maps & Info |
Facts about Memphis International Airport (MEM):
- Because of Memphis International Airport's relatively low elevation of 341 feet, planes can take off or land at Memphis 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 164th Airlift Wing of the Tennessee Air National Guard is based at the co-located Memphis Air National Guard Base, operating C-17 Globe master III transport aircraft.
- The closest airport to Memphis International Airport (MEM) is Olive Branch Airport (OLV), which is located only 12 miles (19 kilometers) ESE of MEM.
- Memphis International Airport handled 7,874,888 passengers last year.
- The current terminal was designed by Mann & Harrover and cost $6.5 million.
- Memphis Municipal Airport opened on a 200-acre plot of farmland just over seven miles from downtown Memphis.
- Memphis International Airport (MEM) has 4 runways.
- The furthest airport from Memphis International Airport (MEM) is Margaret River Airport (MGV), which is located 11,010 miles (17,719 kilometers) away in Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.
- In 2014, the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority announced a planned $114 million renovation of the airport.
Facts about Ladysmith Airport (LAY):
- The closest airport to Ladysmith Airport (LAY) is Mokhotlong Airport (MKH), which is located 64 miles (102 kilometers) SW of LAY.
- The furthest airport from Ladysmith Airport (LAY) is Hana Airport (HNM), which is located 11,789 miles (18,972 kilometers) away in Hana, Hawaii, United States.
- Ladysmith Airport (LAY) currently has only 1 runway.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11.60 miles (18.67 km) ESE | Olive Branch Airport (OLV) | Olive Branch, Mississippi, United States |     |
| 2 | 15.91 miles (25.61 km) WNW | West Memphis Municipal Airport (AWM) | West Memphis, Arkansas, United States | |
| 3 | 22.52 miles (36.25 km) NNE | Millington Regional Jetport (NQA) | Millington, Tennessee, United States | |
| 4 | 32.45 miles (52.22 km) SW | Tunica Municipal Airport (UTM) | Tunica, Mississippi, United States | |
| 5 | 45.72 miles (73.58 km) W | Forrest City Municipal Airport (FCY) | Forrest City, Arkansas, United States | |
| 6 | 51.09 miles (82.22 km) SW | Thompson-Robbins AirportThompson-Robbins Army Airfield (HEE) | Helena / West Helena, Arkansas, United States | |
| 7 | 51.88 miles (83.50 km) SSE | University-Oxford Airport (UOX) | Oxford, Mississippi, United States | |
| 8 | 59.67 miles (96.02 km) SSW | Fletcher Field (CKM) | Clarksdale, Mississippi, United States | |
| 9 | 59.71 miles (96.09 km) N | Manila Municipal Airport (MXA) | Manila, Arkansas, United States | |
| 10 | 62.59 miles (100.73 km) N | Blytheville Municipal Airport (HKA) | Blytheville, Arkansas, United States | |
| 11 | 63.73 miles (102.56 km) N | Arkansas International Airport (BYH) | Blytheville, Arkansas, United States | |
| 12 | 66.29 miles (106.68 km) NW | Jonesboro Municipal Airport (JBR) | Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States | |
| 13 | 71.14 miles (114.48 km) ENE | McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport (MKL) | Jackson, Tennessee, United States | |
| 14 | 76.66 miles (123.37 km) NNW | Kirk Field (PGR) | Paragould, Arkansas, United States | |
| 15 | 78.23 miles (125.90 km) E | Roscoe Turner Airport (CRX) | Corinth, Mississippi, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,010.34 miles (17,719.38 km) W | Margaret River Airport (MGV) | Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 2 | 10,990.32 miles (17,687.16 km) W | Busselton Regional Airport (BQB) | Busselton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 3 | 10,970.51 miles (17,655.28 km) W | Bunbury Airport (BUY) | Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 4 | 10,956.28 miles (17,632.39 km) W | Rottnest Airport (RTS) | Rottnest Island, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 5 | 10,955.67 miles (17,631.40 km) W | Manjimup Airport (MJP) | Manjimup, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 6 | 10,948.82 miles (17,620.37 km) W | Jurien Bay Airport (JUR) | Jurien Bay, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 7 | 10,938.60 miles (17,603.92 km) W | Jandakot Airport (JAD) | Jandakot, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 8 | 10,930.92 miles (17,591.56 km) W | Perth Airport (PER) | Perth, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 9 | 10,930.74 miles (17,591.28 km) W | Geraldton Airport (GET) | Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 10 | 10,924.14 miles (17,580.66 km) WSW | Kalbarri Airport (KAX) | Kalbarri, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 11 | 10,903.40 miles (17,547.28 km) WSW | Shark Bay Airport (MJK) | Monkey Mia, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 12 | 10,876.81 miles (17,504.48 km) W | Mullewa Airport (MXU) | Mullewa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 13 | 10,869.19 miles (17,492.22 km) W | Albany Airport (ALH) | Albany, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 14 | 10,867.85 miles (17,490.06 km) W | Morawa Airport (MWB) | Morawa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 15 | 10,863.26 miles (17,482.69 km) W | Katanning Airport (KNI) | Katanning, Western Australia, Australia | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 63.59 miles (102.34 km) SW | Mokhotlong Airport (MKH) | Mokhotlong, Lesotho | |
| 2 | 83.35 miles (134.14 km) SSE | Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) | Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | |
| 3 | 104.79 miles (168.64 km) W | Leribe Airport (LRB) | Leribe, Lesotho | |
| 4 | 108.73 miles (174.98 km) SE | King Shaka International (DUR) | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 5 | 112.17 miles (180.53 km) SW | Lebakeng Airport (LEF) | Lebakeng, Lesotho | |
| 6 | 117.02 miles (188.33 km) SW | Lesobeng Airport (LES) | Lesobeng, Lesotho | |
| 7 | 134.11 miles (215.83 km) SW | Semonkong Airport (SOK) | Semonkong, Lesotho | |
| 8 | 142.22 miles (228.88 km) E | Richards Bay Airport (RCB) | Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 9 | 146.27 miles (235.40 km) WSW | Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU) | Maseru, Lesotho | |
| 10 | 158.42 miles (254.95 km) ENE | Hluhluwe Airport (HLW) | Hluhluwe, South Africa | |
| 11 | 161.42 miles (259.78 km) SSE | Margate Airport (MGH) | Margate, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 12 | 165.67 miles (266.61 km) NNW | Heidelberg Airport (HDB) | Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany | |
| 13 | 170.72 miles (274.75 km) NE | Matsapha Airport (MTS) | Manzini, Swaziland | |
| 14 | 173.30 miles (278.90 km) WSW | Mafeteng Airport (MFC) | Mafeteng, Lesotho | |
| 15 | 189.05 miles (304.24 km) NNW | Rand Airport (QRA) | Johannesburg, South Africa | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,788.69 miles (18,972.01 km) NE | Hana Airport (HNM) | Hana, Hawaii, United States | |
| 2 | 11,779.63 miles (18,957.44 km) NE | Kahului Airport (OGG) | Kahului, Hawaii, United States | |
| 3 | 11,776.10 miles (18,951.74 km) NE | Kalaupapa Airport (LUP) | Kalaupapa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 4 | 11,774.16 miles (18,948.63 km) NE | Kapalua Airport (JHM) | Lahaina, Hawaii, United States | |
| 5 | 11,768.02 miles (18,938.75 km) NE | Molokai Airport (MKK) | Kaunakakai, Hawaii, United States | |
| 6 | 11,762.72 miles (18,930.22 km) NNE | Upolu Airport (UPP) | Hawi, Hawaii, United States | |
| 7 | 11,754.11 miles (18,916.36 km) NNE | Hilo International Airport (ITO) | Hilo, Hawaii, United States | |
| 8 | 11,753.63 miles (18,915.58 km) NE | Lanai Airport (LNY) | Lanai City, Hawaii, United States | |
| 9 | 11,753.04 miles (18,914.64 km) NNE | Waimea-Kohala Airport (MUE) | Kamuela, Hawaii, United States | |
| 10 | 11,745.58 miles (18,902.64 km) NE | Wheeler AAF (HHI) | Wahiawa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 11 | 11,743.32 miles (18,898.99 km) NE | Dillingham Airfield (HDH) | Mokuleia, Hawaii, United States | |
| 12 | 11,742.27 miles (18,897.31 km) NE | Honolulu International Airport (HNL) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 13 | 11,742.27 miles (18,897.31 km) NE | Hickam Field (HIK) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 14 | 11,741.74 miles (18,896.45 km) NNE | Pōhakuloa Training Area (BSF) | Camp Pohakuloa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 15 | 11,735.27 miles (18,886.04 km) NE | Kalaeloa Airport (NAX) | Kapolei, Hawaii, United States | |