Nonstop flight route between Port Elizabeth, South Africa and Rockford, Illinois, United States:
Departure Airport:
(33°59'4"S by 25°36'37"E)
Arrival Airport:
(42°11'43"N by 89°5'49"W)
Distance from PLZ to RFD:
8,927.79 miles (14,367.85 km)
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Jump to:
- About this route
- PLZ Airport Information
- RFD Airport Information
- Facts about PLZ
- Facts about RFD
- Map of Nearest Airports to PLZ
- List of Nearest Airports to PLZ
- Map of Furthest Airports from PLZ
- List of Furthest Airports from PLZ
- Map of Nearest Airports to RFD
- List of Nearest Airports to RFD
- Map of Furthest Airports from RFD
- List of Furthest Airports from RFD
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ), Port Elizabeth, South Africa and Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD), Rockford, Illinois, United States would travel a Great Circle distance of 8,928 miles (or 14,368 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 Port Elizabeth International Airport and Chicago Rockford 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 Port Elizabeth International Airport and Chicago Rockford 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: | 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 |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | RFD / KRFD |
| Airport Name: | Chicago Rockford International Airport |
| Location: | Rockford, Illinois, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 42°11'43"N by 89°5'49"W |
| Area Served: | Rockford, Illinois |
| Operator/Owner: | Greater Rockford Airport Authority |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 742 feet (226 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 2 |
| View all routes: | Routes from RFD |
| More Information: | RFD Maps & Info |
Facts about Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ):
- A highlight in Port Elizabeth's history was the first flight to Port Elizabeth from Cape Town in 1917, made by Major Allister Mackintosh Miller.
- 17 May 2004 - John Travolta landed his personal Qantas Boeing 707 at the airport directly from Mauritius as he was visiting a nearby private game reserve.
- 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 preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup runway 08/26 was going to be extended from 1,980m to 3,000m with a view to accommodating International flights, although this never happened.
- 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.
- 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.
- August 1998 - A South African Airways Boeing 747-400 landed at Port Elizabeth Airport to be officially named 'Ibayhi' the Xhosa word for Port Elizabeth.
- Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) has 2 runways.
Facts about Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD):
- The furthest airport from Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is Margaret River Airport (MGV), which is located 11,008 miles (17,716 kilometers) away in Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.
- Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) has 2 runways.
- RFD was once the company headquarters for Ryan International Airlines, staging many of its aircraft at the airport for charter hire.
- Because of Chicago Rockford International Airport's relatively low elevation of 742 feet, planes can take off or land at Chicago Rockford 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.
- Chicago Rockford International Airport, is a general aviation and commercial airport in Winnebago County, Illinois.
- The historic Bell Bowl, a natural amphitheater on the south side of the airport, was the venue for the 16th Wing Ding concert on May 24, 2009.
- The closest airport to Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport (JVL), which is located 30 miles (47 kilometers) N of RFD.
- RFD traces its history back to 1917, when Camp Grant was established during World War I as an U.S.
- The airport is in a foreign-trade zone.
| 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 | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 29.50 miles (47.48 km) N | Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport (JVL) | Janesville, Wisconsin, United States | |
| 2 | 43.30 miles (69.69 km) SE | Chicago/Aurora Municipal Airport (AUZ) | Aurora, Illinois, United States | |
| 3 | 47.89 miles (77.08 km) ESE | DuPage Airport (DPA) | West Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| 4 | 58.34 miles (93.89 km) S | Illinois Valley Regional Airport (VYS) | Peru, Illinois, United States | |
| 5 | 61.49 miles (98.96 km) E | Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) | Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, Illinois, United States | |
| 6 | 62.95 miles (101.31 km) ESE | Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| 7 | 64.75 miles (104.20 km) ENE | Waukegan National Airport (UGN) | Chicago / Waukegan, Illinois, United States | |
| 8 | 65.58 miles (105.55 km) SE | Lewis University Airport (LOT) | Chicago / Romeoville, Illinois, United States | |
| 9 | 65.77 miles (105.84 km) ENE | Kenosha Regional Airport (ENW) | Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States | |
| 10 | 66.39 miles (106.84 km) N | Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) | Madison, Wisconsin, United States | |
| 11 | 66.64 miles (107.25 km) SE | Joliet Regional Airport (JOT) | Joliet, Illinois, United States | |
| 12 | 68.06 miles (109.54 km) WSW | Clinton Municipal Airport (CWI) | Clinton, Iowa, United States | |
| 13 | 73.00 miles (117.48 km) NE | Waukesha County Airport (UES) | Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States | |
| 14 | 74.62 miles (120.09 km) ESE | Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| 15 | 76.11 miles (122.49 km) ENE | John H. Batten Airport (RAC) | Racine, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,008.37 miles (17,716.21 km) WSW | Margaret River Airport (MGV) | Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 2 | 10,984.97 miles (17,678.55 km) WSW | Busselton Regional Airport (BQB) | Busselton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 3 | 10,968.42 miles (17,651.92 km) WSW | Manjimup Airport (MJP) | Manjimup, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 4 | 10,960.25 miles (17,638.77 km) WSW | Bunbury Airport (BUY) | Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 5 | 10,915.23 miles (17,566.32 km) WSW | Rottnest Airport (RTS) | Rottnest Island, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 6 | 10,907.02 miles (17,553.10 km) W | Albany Airport (ALH) | Albany, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 7 | 10,902.27 miles (17,545.45 km) WSW | Jandakot Airport (JAD) | Jandakot, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 8 | 10,891.99 miles (17,528.92 km) WSW | Perth Airport (PER) | Perth, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 9 | 10,873.66 miles (17,499.41 km) WSW | Katanning Airport (KNI) | Katanning, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 10 | 10,868.46 miles (17,491.04 km) WSW | Jurien Bay Airport (JUR) | Jurien Bay, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 11 | 10,817.93 miles (17,409.73 km) WSW | Geraldton Airport (GET) | Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 12 | 10,786.63 miles (17,359.36 km) WSW | Kalbarri Airport (KAX) | Kalbarri, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 13 | 10,775.52 miles (17,341.48 km) WSW | Morawa Airport (MWB) | Morawa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 14 | 10,766.29 miles (17,326.62 km) WSW | Mullewa Airport (MXU) | Mullewa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 15 | 10,728.09 miles (17,265.14 km) SW | Shark Bay Airport (MJK) | Monkey Mia, Western Australia, Australia | |