Nonstop flight route between Columbus, Nebraska, United States and Anchorage, Alaska, United States:
Departure Airport:
(41°26'53"N by 97°20'34"W)
Arrival Airport:
(61°15'5"N by 149°48'23"W)
Distance from OLU to EDF:
2,547.49 miles (4,099.77 km)
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Jump to:
- About this route
- OLU Airport Information
- EDF Airport Information
- Facts about OLU
- Facts about EDF
- Map of Nearest Airports to OLU
- List of Nearest Airports to OLU
- Map of Furthest Airports from OLU
- List of Furthest Airports from OLU
- Map of Nearest Airports to EDF
- List of Nearest Airports to EDF
- Map of Furthest Airports from EDF
- List of Furthest Airports from EDF
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Columbus Municipal Airport (OLU), Columbus, Nebraska, United States and Elmendorf Air Force Base (EDF), Anchorage, Alaska, United States would travel a Great Circle distance of 2,547 miles (or 4,100 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 Columbus Municipal Airport 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 Columbus Municipal Airport 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:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | OLU / KOLU |
| Airport Name: | Columbus Municipal Airport |
| Location: | Columbus, Nebraska, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 41°26'53"N by 97°20'34"W |
| Area Served: | Columbus, Nebraska |
| Operator/Owner: | Columbus Airport Authority |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 1447 feet (441 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 2 |
| View all routes: | Routes from OLU |
| More Information: | OLU Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | EDF / PAED |
| Airport Names: |
|
| Location: | Anchorage, Alaska, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 61°15'5"N by 149°48'23"W |
| View all routes: | Routes from EDF |
| More Information: | EDF Maps & Info |
Facts about Columbus Municipal Airport (OLU):
- The furthest airport from Columbus Municipal Airport (OLU) is Margaret River Airport (MGV), which is located 10,601 miles (17,060 kilometers) away in Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.
- The closest airport to Columbus Municipal Airport (OLU) is Norfolk Regional Airport (OFK), which is located 37 miles (60 kilometers) N of OLU.
- Columbus Municipal Airport (OLU) has 2 runways.
Facts about Elmendorf Air Force Base (EDF):
- 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 1980s witnessed a period of growth and modernization of Elmendorf AFB.
- On 28 July 2010, a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft practicing for an upcoming airshow crashed into a wooded area within the base, killing all four air crew members.
- 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.
- 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 installation hosts the headquarters for the United States Alaskan Command, 11th Air Force, U.S.
- 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".
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 37.44 miles (60.26 km) N | Norfolk Regional Airport (OFK) | Norfolk, Nebraska, United States |     |
| 2 | 38.53 miles (62.01 km) ENE | Scribner State AirportScribner Army Airfield (SCB) | Scribner, Nebraska, United States | |
| 3 | 42.60 miles (68.55 km) E | Fremont Municipal Airport (FET) | Fremont, Nebraska, United States | |
| 4 | 51.22 miles (82.42 km) SE | Lincoln Airport (LNK) | Lincoln, Nebraska, United States | |
| 5 | 60.24 miles (96.94 km) WSW | Central Nebraska Regional Airport (GRI) | Grand Island, Nebraska, United States | |
| 6 | 66.18 miles (106.51 km) ESE | Millard Airport (MIQ) | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | |
| 7 | 75.73 miles (121.87 km) E | Eppley Airfield (OMA) | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | |
| 8 | 77.85 miles (125.28 km) ESE | Offutt Air Force Base (OFF) | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | |
| 9 | 81.17 miles (130.63 km) SW | Hastings Municipal Airport (HSI) | Hastings, Nebraska, United States | |
| 10 | 82.31 miles (132.47 km) NE | Sioux Gateway Airport (SUX) | Sioux City, Iowa, United States | |
| 11 | 83.18 miles (133.87 km) E | Council Bluffs Municipal Airport (CBF) | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| 12 | 85.01 miles (136.81 km) SSE | Beatrice Municipal Airport (BIE) | Beatrice, Nebraska, United States | |
| 13 | 98.75 miles (158.92 km) NW | O'Neill Municipal Airport (ONL) | O'Neill, Nebraska, United States | |
| 14 | 99.95 miles (160.85 km) WSW | Kearney Regional Airport (EAR) | Kearney, Nebraska, United States | |
| 15 | 101.50 miles (163.34 km) N | Chan Gurney Municipal Airport (YKN) | Yankton, South Dakota, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 10,600.55 miles (17,059.89 km) W | Margaret River Airport (MGV) | Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 2 | 10,577.68 miles (17,023.08 km) W | Busselton Regional Airport (BQB) | Busselton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 3 | 10,558.74 miles (16,992.60 km) SE | Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport (RRG) | Rodrigues Island, Mauritius | |
| 4 | 10,556.90 miles (16,989.64 km) W | Manjimup Airport (MJP) | Manjimup, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 5 | 10,553.86 miles (16,984.75 km) W | Bunbury Airport (BUY) | Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 6 | 10,516.33 miles (16,924.35 km) W | Rottnest Airport (RTS) | Rottnest Island, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 7 | 10,501.92 miles (16,901.16 km) W | Jandakot Airport (JAD) | Jandakot, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 8 | 10,492.24 miles (16,885.58 km) W | Perth Airport (PER) | Perth, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 9 | 10,490.10 miles (16,882.14 km) W | Albany Airport (ALH) | Albany, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 10 | 10,480.93 miles (16,867.37 km) WSW | Jurien Bay Airport (JUR) | Jurien Bay, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 11 | 10,461.75 miles (16,836.51 km) W | Katanning Airport (KNI) | Katanning, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 12 | 10,441.12 miles (16,803.31 km) WSW | Geraldton Airport (GET) | Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 13 | 10,419.01 miles (16,767.73 km) WSW | Kalbarri Airport (KAX) | Kalbarri, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 14 | 10,390.93 miles (16,722.54 km) WSW | Morawa Airport (MWB) | Morawa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 15 | 10,388.04 miles (16,717.88 km) WSW | Mullewa Airport (MXU) | Mullewa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 2.90 miles (4.67 km) SSW | Merrill Field (MRI) | Anchorage, Alaska, United States | |
| 2 | 5.10 miles (8.20 km) E | Bryant Army Airfield (FRN) | Fort Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska, United States | |
| 3 | 8.32 miles (13.39 km) SW | Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) | Anchorage, Alaska, United States | |
| 4 | 19.67 miles (31.66 km) N | Big Lake Airport (BGQ) | Big Lake, Alaska, United States | |
| 5 | 23.84 miles (38.37 km) NNE | Wasilla Airport (WWA) | Wasilla, Alaska, United States | |
| 6 | 33.56 miles (54.01 km) NE | Palmer Municipal Airport (PAQ) | Palmer, Alaska, United States | |
| 7 | 35.67 miles (57.40 km) NNW | Willow Airport (WOW) | Willow, Alaska, United States | |
| 8 | 41.57 miles (66.91 km) W | Beluga Airport (BVU) | Beluga, Alaska, United States | |
| 9 | 45.99 miles (74.01 km) WSW | Tyonek Airport (TYE) | Tyonek, Alaska, United States | |
| 10 | 67.10 miles (107.99 km) NW | Skwentna Airport (SKW) | Skwentna, Alaska, United States | |
| 11 | 67.29 miles (108.30 km) SW | Kenai Municipal Airport (ENA) | Kenai, Alaska, United States | |
| 12 | 67.79 miles (109.09 km) SW | Soldotna Airport (SXQ) | Soldotna, Alaska, United States | |
| 13 | 74.47 miles (119.84 km) N | Talkeetna Airport (TKA) | Talkeetna, Alaska, United States | |
| 14 | 78.79 miles (126.80 km) S | Seward Airport (SWD) | Seward, Alaska, United States | |
| 15 | 101.75 miles (163.75 km) SE | Chenega Bay Airport (NCN) | Chenega, Alaska, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 10,541.86 miles (16,965.44 km) S | Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | |
| 2 | 10,522.61 miles (16,934.46 km) SSE | George Airport (GRJ) | George, South Africa | |
| 3 | 10,517.40 miles (16,926.08 km) S | Port Alfred Airport (AFD) | Port Alfred, South Africa | |
| 4 | 10,484.34 miles (16,872.87 km) S | East London Airport (ELS) | East London, South Africa | |
| 5 | 10,482.65 miles (16,870.14 km) SSE | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Cape Town, South Africa | |
| 6 | 10,383.23 miles (16,710.15 km) S | Mthatha Airport (UTT) | Mthatha, South Africa | |
| 7 | 10,336.91 miles (16,635.60 km) S | Margate Airport (MGH) | Margate, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 8 | 10,268.85 miles (16,526.07 km) S | Lebakeng Airport (LEF) | Lebakeng, Lesotho | |
| 9 | 10,264.17 miles (16,518.54 km) S | Semonkong Airport (SOK) | Semonkong, Lesotho | |
| 10 | 10,259.58 miles (16,511.15 km) S | Mafeteng Airport (MFC) | Mafeteng, Lesotho | |
| 11 | 10,259.02 miles (16,510.25 km) S | Lesobeng Airport (LES) | Lesobeng, Lesotho | |
| 12 | 10,253.10 miles (16,500.73 km) S | Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) | Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | |
| 13 | 10,250.65 miles (16,496.78 km) S | King Shaka International (DUR) | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 14 | 10,237.04 miles (16,474.88 km) S | Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU) | Maseru, Lesotho | |
| 15 | 10,227.30 miles (16,459.21 km) S | Mokhotlong Airport (MKH) | Mokhotlong, Lesotho | |