Nonstop flight route between Rockford, Illinois, United States and Big Lake, Alaska, United States:
Departure Airport:
(42°11'43"N by 89°5'49"W)
Arrival Airport:
(61°32'9"N by 149°48'50"W)
Distance from RFD to BGQ:
2,781.34 miles (4,476.12 km)
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Jump to:
- About this route
- RFD Airport Information
- BGQ Airport Information
- Facts about RFD
- Facts about BGQ
- Map of Nearest Airports to RFD
- List of Nearest Airports to RFD
- Map of Furthest Airports from RFD
- List of Furthest Airports from RFD
- Map of Nearest Airports to BGQ
- List of Nearest Airports to BGQ
- Map of Furthest Airports from BGQ
- List of Furthest Airports from BGQ
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD), Rockford, Illinois, United States and Big Lake Airport (BGQ), Big Lake, Alaska, United States would travel a Great Circle distance of 2,781 miles (or 4,476 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 Chicago Rockford International Airport and Big Lake 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 Chicago Rockford International Airport and Big Lake Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure 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 |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | BGQ / PAGQ |
| Airport Name: | Big Lake Airport |
| Location: | Big Lake, Alaska, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 61°32'9"N by 149°48'50"W |
| Area Served: | Big Lake, Alaska |
| Operator/Owner: | State of Alaska DOT&PF - Central Region |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 158 feet (48 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from BGQ |
| More Information: | BGQ Maps & Info |
Facts about Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD):
- 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.
- Today the Rockford airport is marketed to residents of Rockford and surrounding areas as an alternative to Chicago Midway International Airport and O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, WI and Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin as well as limited service airports such as Dubuque Regional Airport in Iowa.
- Air shows have played an integral role in the history of the Rockford Airport.
- RFD was once the company headquarters for Ryan International Airlines, staging many of its aircraft at the airport for charter hire.
- The larger north cargo apron is next to the main terminal.
- 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.
- Located in between the two runways, the smaller south cargo apron is home to one of the two FBOs at the airport.
- Following the war, the state of Illinois adopted the Airport Authority Act.
- 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.
Facts about Big Lake Airport (BGQ):
- The closest airport to Big Lake Airport (BGQ) is Wasilla Airport (WWA), which is located only 9 miles (15 kilometers) ENE of BGQ.
- Because of Big Lake Airport's relatively low elevation of 158 feet, planes can take off or land at Big Lake 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 Big Lake Airport (BGQ) is Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ), which is located 10,522 miles (16,934 kilometers) away in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
- Big Lake Airport (BGQ) currently has only 1 runway.
| 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 | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 9.37 miles (15.07 km) ENE | Wasilla Airport (WWA) | Wasilla, Alaska, United States | |
| 2 | 16.97 miles (27.31 km) NNW | Willow Airport (WOW) | Willow, Alaska, United States | |
| 3 | 19.62 miles (31.58 km) SSE | Bryant Army Airfield (FRN) | Fort Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska, United States | |
| 4 | 19.67 miles (31.66 km) S | Elmendorf Air Force Base (EDF) | Anchorage, Alaska, United States | |
| 5 | 22.31 miles (35.90 km) S | Merrill Field (MRI) | Anchorage, Alaska, United States | |
| 6 | 24.21 miles (38.95 km) E | Palmer Municipal Airport (PAQ) | Palmer, Alaska, United States | |
| 7 | 25.74 miles (41.43 km) SSW | Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) | Anchorage, Alaska, United States | |
| 8 | 47.88 miles (77.06 km) WSW | Beluga Airport (BVU) | Beluga, Alaska, United States | |
| 9 | 53.93 miles (86.79 km) NW | Skwentna Airport (SKW) | Skwentna, Alaska, United States | |
| 10 | 54.20 miles (87.22 km) SW | Tyonek Airport (TYE) | Tyonek, Alaska, United States | |
| 11 | 54.96 miles (88.45 km) N | Talkeetna Airport (TKA) | Talkeetna, Alaska, United States | |
| 12 | 81.94 miles (131.86 km) SW | Kenai Municipal Airport (ENA) | Kenai, Alaska, United States | |
| 13 | 84.00 miles (135.19 km) SSW | Soldotna Airport (SXQ) | Soldotna, Alaska, United States | |
| 14 | 98.27 miles (158.15 km) S | Seward Airport (SWD) | Seward, Alaska, United States | |
| 15 | 113.58 miles (182.79 km) ESE | Tatitlek Airport (TEK) | Tatitlek, Alaska, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 10,522.43 miles (16,934.16 km) S | Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | |
| 2 | 10,503.58 miles (16,903.83 km) SSE | George Airport (GRJ) | George, South Africa | |
| 3 | 10,497.86 miles (16,894.63 km) S | Port Alfred Airport (AFD) | Port Alfred, South Africa | |
| 4 | 10,464.74 miles (16,841.33 km) S | East London Airport (ELS) | East London, South Africa | |
| 5 | 10,464.31 miles (16,840.63 km) SSE | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Cape Town, South Africa | |
| 6 | 10,363.59 miles (16,678.54 km) S | Mthatha Airport (UTT) | Mthatha, South Africa | |
| 7 | 10,317.23 miles (16,603.94 km) S | Margate Airport (MGH) | Margate, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 8 | 10,249.21 miles (16,494.46 km) S | Lebakeng Airport (LEF) | Lebakeng, Lesotho | |
| 9 | 10,244.55 miles (16,486.96 km) S | Semonkong Airport (SOK) | Semonkong, Lesotho | |
| 10 | 10,240.00 miles (16,479.64 km) S | Mafeteng Airport (MFC) | Mafeteng, Lesotho | |
| 11 | 10,239.39 miles (16,478.66 km) S | Lesobeng Airport (LES) | Lesobeng, Lesotho | |
| 12 | 10,233.43 miles (16,469.07 km) S | Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) | Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | |
| 13 | 10,230.98 miles (16,465.12 km) S | King Shaka International (DUR) | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 14 | 10,217.44 miles (16,443.34 km) S | Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU) | Maseru, Lesotho | |
| 15 | 10,207.65 miles (16,427.58 km) S | Mokhotlong Airport (MKH) | Mokhotlong, Lesotho | |