Nonstop flight route between Rockford, Illinois, United States and Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom:
Departure Airport:
(42°11'43"N by 89°5'49"W)
Arrival Airport:
(51°36'19"N by 4°4'4"W)
Distance from RFD to SWS:
3,835.28 miles (6,172.27 km)
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- About this route
- RFD Airport Information
- SWS Airport Information
- Facts about RFD
- Facts about SWS
- 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 SWS
- List of Nearest Airports to SWS
- Map of Furthest Airports from SWS
- List of Furthest Airports from SWS
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD), Rockford, Illinois, United States and Swansea Airport (SWS), Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom would travel a Great Circle distance of 3,835 miles (or 6,172 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 Swansea 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 Swansea 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: | SWS / EGFH |
| Airport Name: | Swansea Airport |
| Location: | Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom |
| GPS Coordinates: | 51°36'19"N by 4°4'4"W |
| Operator/Owner: | Swansea Airport Ltd. |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 299 feet (91 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 2 |
| View all routes: | Routes from SWS |
| More Information: | SWS Maps & Info |
Facts about Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD):
- RFD has two cargo aprons in use.
- 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.
- After an 11-year hiatus, the airport resumed hosting airshows in 2005.
- 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.
- The current terminal was built in 1987 in an effort to expand airline service in Rockford, but the common use of bus service to O'Hare International Airport kept most airlines away from Rockford.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Facts about Swansea Airport (SWS):
- Located on the eastern part of the site is the airport's only terminal building with seats for 25 passengers.
- Because of Swansea Airport's relatively low elevation of 299 feet, planes can take off or land at Swansea 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 Swansea Airport (SWS) is MoD St Athan (DGX), which is located 31 miles (49 kilometers) ESE of SWS.
- There has been widespread local opposition against the idea of further development of the airport.
- The fire brigade at Swansea is CAT 1, and able to do CAT 2 on request.
- From 2008 to 2011 the airport was the base for the formation aerobatic team 'Team Osprey'.
- Swansea Airport (SWS) has 2 runways.
- The furthest airport from Swansea Airport (SWS) is Dunedin International Airport (DUD), which is located 11,966 miles (19,257 kilometers) away in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.
- De Havilland Aviation were based at the airport from 1996 to 2002 restoring former de Havilland military and naval aircraft to flying condition, including Vampires, Venom, Sea Devon and Sea Vixen.
- The airport is mainly used to handle light helicopters and small private aircraft.
| 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 | 30.51 miles (49.10 km) ESE | MoD St Athan (DGX) | St Athan, Wales, United Kingdom | |
| 2 | 34.33 miles (55.25 km) ESE | Cardiff Airport (CWL) | Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom | |
| 3 | 41.35 miles (66.55 km) WNW | Haverfordwest Aerodrome (HAW) | Haverfordwest, Wales, United Kingdom | |
| 4 | 60.01 miles (96.58 km) ESE | Bristol Airport (BRS) | Bristol, England, United Kingdom | |
| 5 | 63.60 miles (102.35 km) E | Bristol Filton Airport (FZO) | Filton, Bristol, United Kingdom | |
| 6 | 66.50 miles (107.03 km) SSE | Exeter International Airport (EXT) | Exeter, United Kingdom | |
| 7 | 81.72 miles (131.51 km) S | Plymouth City Airport (PLH) | Plymouth, United Kingdom | |
| 8 | 89.38 miles (143.85 km) E | RAF Lyneham (LYE) | Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom | |
| 9 | 89.99 miles (144.82 km) SSW | Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY) | Newquay, England, United Kingdom | |
| 10 | 97.80 miles (157.40 km) E | RAF Fairford (FFD) | Fairford, England, United Kingdom | |
| 11 | 106.89 miles (172.03 km) E | RAF Brize Norton (BZZ) | Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom | |
| 12 | 111.96 miles (180.18 km) ESE | Bournemouth Airport (BOH) | Bournemouth, England, United Kingdom | |
| 13 | 114.72 miles (184.62 km) ENE | Birmingham Airport (BHX) | Birmingham, England, United Kingdom | |
| 14 | 115.20 miles (185.40 km) N | Anglesey Airport (HLY) | Anglesey, Wales, United Kingdom | |
| 15 | 117.98 miles (189.88 km) NNE | Chester Hawarden Airport Hawarden Airport (CEG) | Chester, England, United Kingdom | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,965.90 miles (19,257.20 km) SE | Dunedin International Airport (DUD) | Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand | |
| 2 | 11,957.26 miles (19,243.30 km) SE | Ryan's Creek Aerodrome (SZS) | Stewart Island, New Zealand | |
| 3 | 11,939.32 miles (19,214.43 km) SE | Invercargill Airport (IVC) | Invercargill, New Zealand | |
| 4 | 11,927.26 miles (19,195.02 km) SSE | Oamaru Airport (OAM) | Oamaru, North Otago, New Zealand | |
| 5 | 11,902.82 miles (19,155.68 km) SE | Alexandra Aerodrome (ALR) | Alexandra, New Zealand | |
| 6 | 11,887.53 miles (19,131.07 km) SSE | Richard Pearse Airport (Timaru Airport) (TIU) | Timaru, New Zealand | |
| 7 | 11,875.06 miles (19,111.01 km) SE | Queenstown Airport (ZQN) | Queenstown, New Zealand | |
| 8 | 11,871.27 miles (19,104.91 km) SSE | Ashburton Aerodrome (ASG) | Ashburton, New Zealand | |
| 9 | 11,870.67 miles (19,103.94 km) SE | Wanaka Airport (WKA) | Wanaka, New Zealand | |
| 10 | 11,854.23 miles (19,077.49 km) SSE | Christchurch International Airport (CHC) | Christchurch, New Zealand | |
| 11 | 11,840.91 miles (19,056.05 km) SSE | Glentanner Aerodrome (GTN) | Mount Cook, New Zealand | |
| 12 | 11,832.78 miles (19,042.96 km) SE | Milford Sound Airport (MFN) | Milford Sound, New Zealand | |
| 13 | 11,832.28 miles (19,042.16 km) SSE | Mount Cook Airport (MON) | Mount Cook, New Zealand | |
| 14 | 11,810.69 miles (19,007.42 km) SSE | Fox Glacier Aerodrome (FGL) | Fox Glacier, New Zealand | |
| 15 | 11,793.17 miles (18,979.21 km) S | Kaikoura Aerodrome (KBZ) | Kaikoura, New Zealand | |