Nonstop flight route between Raleigh / Durham, North Carolina, United States and Prestwick (near Glasgow), Scotland, United Kingdom:
Departure Airport:
(35°52'40"N by 78°47'14"W)
Arrival Airport:
(55°30'33"N by 4°35'39"W)
Distance from RDU to PIK:
3,631.07 miles (5,843.63 km)
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Jump to:
- About this route
- RDU Airport Information
- PIK Airport Information
- Facts about RDU
- Facts about PIK
- Map of Nearest Airports to RDU
- List of Nearest Airports to RDU
- Map of Furthest Airports from RDU
- List of Furthest Airports from RDU
- Map of Nearest Airports to PIK
- List of Nearest Airports to PIK
- Map of Furthest Airports from PIK
- List of Furthest Airports from PIK
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU), Raleigh / Durham, North Carolina, United States and Glasgow-Prestwick Airport (PIK), Prestwick (near Glasgow), Scotland, United Kingdom would travel a Great Circle distance of 3,631 miles (or 5,844 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 Raleigh–Durham International Airport and Glasgow-Prestwick 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 Raleigh–Durham International Airport and Glasgow-Prestwick Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | RDU / KRDU |
| Airport Name: | Raleigh–Durham International Airport |
| Location: | Raleigh / Durham, North Carolina, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 35°52'40"N by 78°47'14"W |
| Area Served: | The Research Triangle Metropolitan Region of North Carolina |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 435 feet (133 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 3 |
| View all routes: | Routes from RDU |
| More Information: | RDU Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | PIK / EGPK |
| Airport Name: | Glasgow-Prestwick Airport |
| Location: | Prestwick (near Glasgow), Scotland, United Kingdom |
| GPS Coordinates: | 55°30'33"N by 4°35'39"W |
| Area Served: | Glasgow, Prestwick, Strathclyde, Scotland |
| Operator/Owner: | Scottish Government |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 65 feet (20 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 2 |
| View all routes: | Routes from PIK |
| More Information: | PIK Maps & Info |
Facts about Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU):
- The new Raleigh–Durham Airport opened on May 1, 1943 with flights by Eastern Airlines.
- Because of Raleigh–Durham International Airport's relatively low elevation of 435 feet, planes can take off or land at Raleigh–Durham 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.
- In 2010 RDU's traffic began to recover.
- The region's first airport opened in 1929 as Raleigh's Municipal Airport, just south of what is now downtown.
- Terminal 2 occupies the site of the former Terminal C, built between 1985 and 1987 for the American Airlines hub.
- Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) has 3 runways.
- The closest airport to Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) is Triangle North Executive Airport (Franklin County Airport) (LFN), which is located 27 miles (44 kilometers) ENE of RDU.
- The furthest airport from Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) is Margaret River Airport (MGV), which is located 11,639 miles (18,731 kilometers) away in Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.
- AA retained the daily nonstop flight to London, originally launched to Gatwick Airport in May 1994 with a Boeing 767-200ER.
- Raleigh–Durham International Airport is a public international airport 4.5 miles northeast of the town of Morrisville in Wake County, North Carolina.
Facts about Glasgow-Prestwick Airport (PIK):
- Since 2007 the airport has occasionally been used by BBC motoring TV show Top Gear as the location for various stunts and experiments.
- Because of Glasgow-Prestwick Airport's relatively low elevation of 65 feet, planes can take off or land at Glasgow-Prestwick 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 closest airport to Glasgow-Prestwick Airport (PIK) is Glasgow International Airport (GLA), which is located 26 miles (42 kilometers) NNE of PIK.
- The furthest airport from Glasgow-Prestwick Airport (PIK) is Ryan's Creek Aerodrome (SZS), which is located 11,764 miles (18,932 kilometers) away in Stewart Island, New Zealand.
- Glasgow Prestwick Airport is considered to be the only piece of United Kingdom territory on which Elvis Presley ever set foot, when the United States Army transport plane carrying him home stopped to refuel in 1960, en route from Germany.
- Glasgow-Prestwick Airport (PIK) has 2 runways.
- Glasgow-Prestwick Airport handled 1,145,836 passengers last year.
- 2009 saw the unit break a new record as they were tasked to 447 call outs.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 27.48 miles (44.22 km) ENE | Triangle North Executive Airport (Franklin County Airport) (LFN) | Louisburg, North Carolina, United States |     |
| 2 | 50.17 miles (80.73 km) E | Rocky Mount–Wilson Regional Airport (RWI) | Rocky Mount, North Carolina, United States | |
| 3 | 50.49 miles (81.25 km) SSW | Pope Field (POB) | Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States | |
| 4 | 52.21 miles (84.02 km) S | Simmons Army Airfield (FBG) | Fort Bragg, North Carolina, United States | |
| 5 | 55.77 miles (89.75 km) SW | Moore County Airport (SOP) | Pinehurst / Southern Pines, North Carolina, United States | |
| 6 | 56.93 miles (91.62 km) NNW | Danville Regional Airport (DAN) | Danville, Virginia, United States | |
| 7 | 59.51 miles (95.77 km) SE | Seymour Johnson Air Force Base (GSB) | Goldsboro, North Carolina, United States | |
| 8 | 61.49 miles (98.95 km) S | Fayetteville Regional Airport (FAY) | Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States | |
| 9 | 66.05 miles (106.30 km) WNW | Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) | Greensboro, North Carolina, United States | |
| 10 | 66.75 miles (107.42 km) SSE | Clinton-Sampson County Airport (CTZ) | Clinton, North Carolina, United States | |
| 11 | 70.54 miles (113.53 km) SW | Mackall Army Airfield (HFF) | Camp Mackall, North Carolina, United States | |
| 12 | 71.57 miles (115.18 km) ENE | Halifax County Airport (RZZ) | Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, United States | |
| 13 | 76.22 miles (122.66 km) ESE | Kinston Regional Jetport (ISO) | Kinston, North Carolina, United States | |
| 14 | 80.39 miles (129.37 km) ESE | Pitt–Greenville Airport (PGV) | Greenville, North Carolina, United States | |
| 15 | 81.80 miles (131.64 km) SSW | Laurinburg-Maxton Airport (MXE) | Maxton, North Carolina, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,639.16 miles (18,731.37 km) W | Margaret River Airport (MGV) | Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 2 | 11,618.35 miles (18,697.87 km) W | Busselton Regional Airport (BQB) | Busselton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 3 | 11,597.34 miles (18,664.07 km) W | Bunbury Airport (BUY) | Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 4 | 11,586.19 miles (18,646.12 km) W | Manjimup Airport (MJP) | Manjimup, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 5 | 11,574.09 miles (18,626.65 km) WSW | Rottnest Airport (RTS) | Rottnest Island, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 6 | 11,557.82 miles (18,600.46 km) WSW | Jandakot Airport (JAD) | Jandakot, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 7 | 11,549.15 miles (18,586.51 km) WSW | Perth Airport (PER) | Perth, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 8 | 11,548.91 miles (18,586.13 km) WSW | Jurien Bay Airport (JUR) | Jurien Bay, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 9 | 11,510.79 miles (18,524.77 km) WSW | Geraldton Airport (GET) | Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 10 | 11,501.11 miles (18,509.20 km) W | Albany Airport (ALH) | Albany, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 11 | 11,492.90 miles (18,495.98 km) W | Katanning Airport (KNI) | Katanning, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 12 | 11,485.87 miles (18,484.67 km) WSW | Kalbarri Airport (KAX) | Kalbarri, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 13 | 11,460.17 miles (18,443.31 km) WSW | Morawa Airport (MWB) | Morawa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 14 | 11,457.81 miles (18,439.51 km) WSW | Mullewa Airport (MXU) | Mullewa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 15 | 11,431.80 miles (18,397.65 km) SW | Shark Bay Airport (MJK) | Monkey Mia, Western Australia, Australia | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 25.82 miles (41.56 km) NNE | Glasgow International Airport (GLA) | Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom | |
| 2 | 43.11 miles (69.39 km) W | Campbeltown Airport (CAL) | Campbeltown, Scotland, United Kingdom | |
| 3 | 56.45 miles (90.85 km) ENE | Edinburgh Airport (EDI) | Edinburgh, United Kingdom | |
| 4 | 66.11 miles (106.39 km) W | Islay Airport (ILY) | Islay, Scotland, United Kingdom | |
| 5 | 74.41 miles (119.75 km) WNW | Colonsay Airport (CSA) | Colonsay, Inner Hebrides, Scotland, United Kingdom | |
| 6 | 79.69 miles (128.24 km) SW | George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) | Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom | |
| 7 | 79.81 miles (128.45 km) NE | Perth Airport (PSL) | Perth, Scotland, United Kingdom | |
| 8 | 80.69 miles (129.86 km) ESE | Carlisle Lake District Airport (CAX) | Carlisle, England, United Kingdom | |
| 9 | 87.04 miles (140.08 km) SW | Belfast International Airport (BFS) | Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom | |
| 10 | 89.00 miles (143.24 km) NE | Dundee Airport (DND) | Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom | |
| 11 | 89.55 miles (144.12 km) NE | RAF Leuchars (ADX) | St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom | |
| 12 | 98.54 miles (158.59 km) S | Isle of Man Airport (IOM) | Ronaldsway, Isle of Man, United Kingdom | |
| 13 | 106.06 miles (170.69 km) WSW | City of Derry Airport (LDY) | Derry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom | |
| 14 | 108.58 miles (174.74 km) NW | Coll Island Airport (COL) | Coll, Scotland, United Kingdom | |
| 15 | 109.05 miles (175.50 km) SSE | Barrow/Walney Island Airport (BWF) | Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England, United Kingdom | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,763.97 miles (18,932.22 km) SSE | Ryan's Creek Aerodrome (SZS) | Stewart Island, New Zealand | |
| 2 | 11,737.39 miles (18,889.45 km) SSE | Invercargill Airport (IVC) | Invercargill, New Zealand | |
| 3 | 11,737.18 miles (18,889.12 km) SSE | Dunedin International Airport (DUD) | Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand | |
| 4 | 11,684.31 miles (18,804.04 km) SSE | Oamaru Airport (OAM) | Oamaru, North Otago, New Zealand | |
| 5 | 11,677.93 miles (18,793.76 km) SSE | Alexandra Aerodrome (ALR) | Alexandra, New Zealand | |
| 6 | 11,655.46 miles (18,757.60 km) SSE | Queenstown Airport (ZQN) | Queenstown, New Zealand | |
| 7 | 11,643.86 miles (18,738.93 km) SSE | Wanaka Airport (WKA) | Wanaka, New Zealand | |
| 8 | 11,640.83 miles (18,734.06 km) SSE | Richard Pearse Airport (Timaru Airport) (TIU) | Timaru, New Zealand | |
| 9 | 11,619.13 miles (18,699.12 km) SSE | Ashburton Aerodrome (ASG) | Ashburton, New Zealand | |
| 10 | 11,619.04 miles (18,698.98 km) SSE | Milford Sound Airport (MFN) | Milford Sound, New Zealand | |
| 11 | 11,601.77 miles (18,671.19 km) SSE | Glentanner Aerodrome (GTN) | Mount Cook, New Zealand | |
| 12 | 11,596.53 miles (18,662.77 km) S | Christchurch International Airport (CHC) | Christchurch, New Zealand | |
| 13 | 11,592.50 miles (18,656.28 km) SSE | Mount Cook Airport (MON) | Mount Cook, New Zealand | |
| 14 | 11,570.67 miles (18,621.14 km) SSE | Fox Glacier Aerodrome (FGL) | Fox Glacier, New Zealand | |
| 15 | 11,551.71 miles (18,590.63 km) SSW | Chatham Islands (CHT) | Waitangi, Chatham Islands, New Zealand | |