Nonstop flight route between Xi'an, Shaanxi, China and Lajes, Azores, Portugal:

About this route:

A direct, nonstop flight between Xi'an Xiguan Airport (SIA), Xi'an, Shaanxi, China and Lajes Air Base (TER), Lajes, Azores, Portugal would travel a Great Circle distance of 6,659 miles (or 10,717 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 Xi'an Xiguan Airport and Lajes Air Base, 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 Xi'an Xiguan Airport and Lajes Air Base. 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 Xi'an Xiguan Airport (SIA):

• The furthest airport from Xi'an Xiguan Airport (SIA) is La Unión Airport (LUI), which is nearly antipodal to Xi'an Xiguan Airport (meaning Xi'an Xiguan Airport is almost on the exact opposite side of the Earth from La Unión Airport), and is located 12,392 miles (19,943 kilometers) away in La Unión, Honduras[disambiguation needed].
• The closest airport to Xi'an Xiguan Airport (SIA) is Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY), which is located 22 miles (35 kilometers) WNW of SIA.
• In addition to being known as "Xi'an Xiguan Airport", other names for SIA include "西安西关机场" and "Xī'ān Xīguān Jīchǎng".
• Xi'an Xiguan Airport (SIA) currently has only 1 runway.

Facts about Lajes Air Base (TER):

• The resident Portuguese 711 Squadron "Albatrozes" was deactivated on 30 November 2006.
• The closest airport to Lajes Air Base (TER) is Graciosa Airport (GRW), which is located 55 miles (89 kilometers) WNW of TER.
• The Portuguese Air Force continues to operate one SAR squadron Esq.
• Another important Cold War operation at Lajes was the U.S.
• In addition to being known as "Lajes Air Base", other names for TER include "Base Aérea das Lajes", "Base Aérea Nº 4" and "Aeroporto das Lajes".
• In August 2006, Portuguese news agencies reported that both governments were in discussions for a new agreement that could allow the use of Lajes for the training of a permanent F-22 Raptor squadron.
• Lajes supported the large airlift during the Gulf War.
• During World War II, the designation of the airfield was changed to Air Base No.4 and the Portuguese government expanded the runway, sending troops and equipment to Terceira, including Gloster Gladiator fighters.
• Because of Lajes Air Base's relatively low elevation of 180 feet, planes can take off or land at Lajes Air Base 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 the late 1950s, USAF air refueling/tanker aircraft were stationed at Lajes to provide inflight refueling for U.S.
• The furthest airport from Lajes Air Base (TER) is Merimbula Airport (MIM), which is nearly antipodal to Lajes Air Base (meaning Lajes Air Base is almost on the exact opposite side of the Earth from Merimbula Airport), and is located 12,229 miles (19,680 kilometers) away in Merimbula, New South Wales, Australia.
• Lajes Air Base (TER) currently has only 1 runway.