Nonstop flight route between Kolonia, Federated States of Micronesia and Bakersfield, California, United States:

About this route:

A direct, nonstop flight between Pohnpei International Airport (PNI), Kolonia, Federated States of Micronesia and Meadows Field (BFL), Bakersfield, California, United States would travel a Great Circle distance of 5,531 miles (or 8,901 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 Pohnpei International Airport and Meadows Field, 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 Pohnpei International Airport and Meadows Field. 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 Pohnpei International Airport (PNI):

• The closest airport to Pohnpei International Airport (PNI) is Kosrae International Airport (KSA), which is located 345 miles (555 kilometers) ESE of PNI.
• Because of Pohnpei International Airport's relatively low elevation of 10 feet, planes can take off or land at Pohnpei 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 furthest airport from Pohnpei International Airport (PNI) is RAF Ascension (ASI), which is located 11,926 miles (19,192 kilometers) away in Georgetown, Ascension Island, Saint Helena.
• The extension of the Pohnpei International Airport began in 2009, and it is anticipated that it will be completed in 2011.
• Pohnpei International Airport (PNI) currently has only 1 runway.

Facts about Meadows Field (BFL):

• The closest airport to Meadows Field (BFL) is Shafter Airport (MIT), which is located only 9 miles (15 kilometers) WNW of BFL.
• Federal Aviation Administration records show 141,847 passenger boardings in calendar year 2008, 103,067 enplanements in 2009, and 111,699 in 2010.
• In addition to being known as "Meadows Field", another name for BFL is "Kern County Airport No. 1".
• Although the International Terminal is currently closed, when the terminal was open there was no airport transportation between it and the Domestic Terminal.
• Service was expensive compared to nearby airports, and normally ran during inconvenient times.
• In September 1939 war broke out in Europe, prompting Congress to appropriate $40 million for Development of Landing Areas for National Defense.
• In late 1943 the United States Army Air Forces acquired usage rights to Meadows Field.
• The main runway, 12L-30R, is the longest in the San Joaquin Valley.
• Meadows Field (BFL) has 2 runways.
• The furthest airport from Meadows Field (BFL) is Pierrefonds Airport (ZSE), which is located 11,406 miles (18,356 kilometers) away in Saint-Pierre, Réunion.
• Because of Meadows Field's relatively low elevation of 510 feet, planes can take off or land at Meadows Field 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.