Nonstop flight route between Wales, Alaska, United States and Tacoma, Washington, United States:
Departure Airport:
(65°37'21"N by 168°5'41"W)
Arrival Airport:
(47°8'16"N by 122°28'35"W)
Distance from WAA to TCM:
2,088.63 miles (3,361.32 km)
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- About this route
- WAA Airport Information
- TCM Airport Information
- Facts about WAA
- Facts about TCM
- Map of Nearest Airports to WAA
- List of Nearest Airports to WAA
- Map of Furthest Airports from WAA
- List of Furthest Airports from WAA
- Map of Nearest Airports to TCM
- List of Nearest Airports to TCM
- Map of Furthest Airports from TCM
- List of Furthest Airports from TCM
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Wales Airport (WAA), Wales, Alaska, United States and McChord Field/McChord AFB (TCM), Tacoma, Washington, United States would travel a Great Circle distance of 2,089 miles (or 3,361 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 relatively short distance between Wales Airport and McChord Field/McChord AFB, the route shown on this map most likely still appears to be a straight line.
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | WAA / PAIW |
| Airport Names: |
|
| Location: | Wales, Alaska, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 65°37'21"N by 168°5'41"W |
| Area Served: | Wales, Alaska |
| Operator/Owner: | State of Alaska DOT&PF - Northern Region |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 22 feet (7 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from WAA |
| More Information: | WAA Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | TCM / KTCM |
| Airport Names: |
|
| Location: | Tacoma, Washington, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 47°8'16"N by 122°28'35"W |
| Operator/Owner: | U.S. Air Force |
| Airport Type: | Military: Air Force Base |
| Elevation: | 322 feet (98 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 2 |
| View all routes: | Routes from TCM |
| More Information: | TCM Maps & Info |
Facts about Wales Airport (WAA):
- The furthest airport from Wales Airport (WAA) is Teniente Rodolfo Marsh Airport (TNM), which is located 10,385 miles (16,713 kilometers) away in Villa Las Estrellas, Antarctica.
- Wales Airport (WAA) currently has only 1 runway.
- The closest airport to Wales Airport (WAA) is Tin City LRRS Airport (TNC), which is located only 6 miles (10 kilometers) SE of WAA.
- Because of Wales Airport's relatively low elevation of 22 feet, planes can take off or land at Wales 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 addition to being known as "Wales Airport", another name for WAA is "IWK".
Facts about McChord Field/McChord AFB (TCM):
- McChord Field/McChord AFB (TCM) has 2 runways.
- The closest airport to McChord Field/McChord AFB (TCM) is Gray Army Airfield (GRF), which is located only 6 miles (10 kilometers) SW of TCM.
- The furthest airport from McChord Field/McChord AFB (TCM) is Tôlanaro Airport (FTU), which is located 10,803 miles (17,386 kilometers) away in Tôlanaro, Madagascar.
- In 1947 Tactical Air Command moved the 62d Troop Carrier Group to McChord Field from Bergstrom Field, Texas.
- In addition to being known as "McChord Field/McChord AFB", another name for TCM is "Part of Air Mobility Command (AMC)".
- McChord also had large maintenance facilities for Air Technical Service Command during the war, serving served as a P-39 Aircobra modification center April 1944 – May 1945 for lend-lease aircraft being sent to Russia via the Alaska Territory.
- Because of McChord Field/McChord AFB's relatively low elevation of 322 feet, planes can take off or land at McChord Field/McChord AFB 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.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 6.43 miles (10.35 km) SE | Tin City LRRS Airport (TNC) | Tin City, Alaska, United States |     |
| 2 | 26.11 miles (42.02 km) WNW | Diomede Heliport (FAA: DM2) (DIO) | Diomede, Alaska, United States | |
| 3 | 30.94 miles (49.79 km) ESE | Lost River 1 Airport (LSR) | Lost River, Alaska, United States | |
| 4 | 43.71 miles (70.34 km) SE | Port Clarence Coast Guard Station (KPC) | Port Clarence, Alaska, United States | |
| 5 | 50.86 miles (81.86 km) ESE | Brevig Mission Airport (KTS) | Brevig Mission, Alaska, United States | |
| 6 | 56.93 miles (91.61 km) ESE | Teller Airport (TLA) | Teller, Alaska, United States | |
| 7 | 71.19 miles (114.57 km) NE | Shishmaref Airport (SHH) | Shishmaref, Alaska, United States | |
| 8 | 108.80 miles (175.10 km) SE | Nome Airport (OME) | Nome, Alaska, United States | |
| 9 | 136.47 miles (219.62 km) ESE | Council Airport (CIL) | Council, Alaska, United States | |
| 10 | 150.40 miles (242.04 km) ESE | White Mountain Airport (WMO) | White Mountain, Alaska, United States | |
| 11 | 151.38 miles (243.62 km) SSW | Savoonga Airport (SVA) | Savoonga, Alaska, United States | |
| 12 | 153.73 miles (247.41 km) ENE | Deering Airport (DRG) | Deering, Alaska, United States | |
| 13 | 165.51 miles (266.36 km) ESE | Golovin Airport (GLV) | Golovin, Alaska, United States | |
| 14 | 167.23 miles (269.13 km) SW | Gambell Airport (GAM) | Gambell, Alaska, United States | |
| 15 | 173.10 miles (278.57 km) WSW | Provideniya Bay Airport (PVS) | Provideniya, Chukotka, Russia | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 10,385.16 miles (16,713.26 km) ESE | Teniente Rodolfo Marsh Airport (TNM) | Villa Las Estrellas, Antarctica | |
| 2 | 10,232.25 miles (16,467.17 km) S | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Cape Town, South Africa | |
| 3 | 10,209.66 miles (16,430.81 km) SSW | George Airport (GRJ) | George, South Africa | |
| 4 | 10,178.37 miles (16,380.46 km) SSW | Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | |
| 5 | 10,135.46 miles (16,311.41 km) SSW | Port Alfred Airport (AFD) | Port Alfred, South Africa | |
| 6 | 10,089.52 miles (16,237.46 km) SSW | East London Airport (ELS) | East London, South Africa | |
| 7 | 9,978.66 miles (16,059.06 km) SSW | Mthatha Airport (UTT) | Mthatha, South Africa | |
| 8 | 9,943.75 miles (16,002.87 km) S | Kleinsee Airport (KLZ) | Kleinzee, South Africa | |
| 9 | 9,912.65 miles (15,952.83 km) ESE | Port Stanley Airport (PSY) | Stanley, Falkland Islands, United Kingdom | |
| 10 | 9,911.38 miles (15,950.78 km) SSW | Margate Airport (MGH) | Margate, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 11 | 9,908.48 miles (15,946.11 km) S | Aggeneys Airport (AGZ) | Aggeneys, South Africa | |
| 12 | 9,908.48 miles (15,946.11 km) S | Wild Coast Sun Airport (MZF) | Mzamba, South Africa | |
| 13 | 9,901.22 miles (15,934.43 km) ESE | RAF Mount Pleasant (MPN) | Falkland Islands | |
| 14 | 9,876.73 miles (15,895.01 km) SSW | Mafeteng Airport (MFC) | Mafeteng, Lesotho | |
| 15 | 9,870.18 miles (15,884.48 km) SSW | Semonkong Airport (SOK) | Semonkong, Lesotho | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 6.37 miles (10.24 km) SW | Gray Army Airfield (GRF) | Tacoma, Washington, United States | |
| 2 | 10.19 miles (16.40 km) NNW | Tacoma Narrows Airport (TIW) | Tacoma, Washington, United States | |
| 3 | 22.88 miles (36.81 km) NNE | Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) | SeaTac (near Seattle and Tacoma), Washington, United States | |
| 4 | 23.19 miles (37.32 km) WSW | Olympia Regional Airport (OLM) | Olympia, Washington, United States | |
| 5 | 27.41 miles (44.12 km) NNE | Renton Municipal Airport (RNT) | Renton, Washington, United States | |
| 6 | 27.85 miles (44.82 km) NNW | Bremerton National Airport (PWT) | Bremerton, Washington, United States | |
| 7 | 28.30 miles (45.55 km) NNE | King County International Airport (BFI) | Seattle, Washington, United States | |
| 8 | 32.20 miles (51.82 km) WNW | Sanderson Field (SHN) | Shelton, Washington, United States | |
| 9 | 34.54 miles (55.59 km) N | Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base (LKE) | Seattle, Washington, United States | |
| 10 | 43.82 miles (70.52 km) NNE | Kenmore Air (KEH) | Kenmore, Washington, United States | |
| 11 | 48.23 miles (77.63 km) SSW | South Lewis County Airport (TDO) | Toledo, Washington, United States | |
| 12 | 53.86 miles (86.68 km) N | Paine Field (PAE) | Everett, Washington, United States | |
| 13 | 61.13 miles (98.38 km) E | Easton State Airport (ESW) | Easton, Washington, United States | |
| 14 | 65.18 miles (104.90 km) NNW | Jefferson County International AirportPort Townsend Army Airfield (TWD) | Port Townsend, Washington, United States | |
| 15 | 69.70 miles (112.17 km) W | Bowerman Airport (HQM) | Hoquiam, Washington, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 10,803.37 miles (17,386.30 km) SSE | Tôlanaro Airport (FTU) | Tôlanaro, Madagascar | |
| 2 | 10,734.45 miles (17,275.37 km) SSE | Ampanihy Airport (AMP) | Ampanihy, Madagascar | |
| 3 | 10,649.22 miles (17,138.22 km) S | Pierrefonds Airport (ZSE) | Saint-Pierre, Réunion | |
| 4 | 10,619.76 miles (17,090.81 km) S | Roland Garros Airport (RUN) | St Denis, Réunion, France | |
| 5 | 10,610.21 miles (17,075.44 km) ESE | Margate Airport (MGH) | Margate, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 6 | 10,605.82 miles (17,068.37 km) ESE | East London Airport (ELS) | East London, South Africa | |
| 7 | 10,591.45 miles (17,045.24 km) S | Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) | Plaisance, Mauritius | |
| 8 | 10,587.54 miles (17,038.95 km) ESE | Port Alfred Airport (AFD) | Port Alfred, South Africa | |
| 9 | 10,578.77 miles (17,024.83 km) ESE | King Shaka International (DUR) | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 10 | 10,573.50 miles (17,016.35 km) ESE | Mthatha Airport (UTT) | Mthatha, South Africa | |
| 11 | 10,572.85 miles (17,015.31 km) SSE | Mananjary Airport (MNJ) | Mananjary, Madagascar | |
| 12 | 10,572.07 miles (17,014.05 km) SE | Richards Bay Airport (RCB) | Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 13 | 10,568.44 miles (17,008.21 km) SSE | Fianarantsoa Airport (WFI) | Fianarantsoa, Madagascar | |
| 14 | 10,551.61 miles (16,981.12 km) ESE | Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) | Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | |
| 15 | 10,549.62 miles (16,977.93 km) ESE | Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | |