Nonstop flight route between Wallops Island, Virginia, United States and Mthatha, South Africa:
Departure Airport:
(37°56'24"N by 75°27'59"W)
Arrival Airport:
(31°32'47"S by 28°40'31"E)
Distance from WAL to UTT:
8,226.98 miles (13,240.00 km)
Share this route:
Jump to:
- About this route
- WAL Airport Information
- UTT Airport Information
- Facts about WAL
- Facts about UTT
- Map of Nearest Airports to WAL
- List of Nearest Airports to WAL
- Map of Furthest Airports from WAL
- List of Furthest Airports from WAL
- Map of Nearest Airports to UTT
- List of Nearest Airports to UTT
- Map of Furthest Airports from UTT
- List of Furthest Airports from UTT
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Wallops Flight Facility Airport (WAL), Wallops Island, Virginia, United States and Mthatha Airport (UTT), Mthatha, South Africa would travel a Great Circle distance of 8,227 miles (or 13,240 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 Wallops Flight Facility Airport and Mthatha 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 Wallops Flight Facility Airport and Mthatha Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | WAL / KWAL |
| Airport Name: | Wallops Flight Facility Airport |
| Location: | Wallops Island, Virginia, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 37°56'24"N by 75°27'59"W |
| Elevation: | 0 feet (0 meters) |
| View all routes: | Routes from WAL |
| More Information: | WAL Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | UTT / FAUT |
| Airport Name: | Mthatha Airport |
| Location: | Mthatha, South Africa |
| GPS Coordinates: | 31°32'47"S by 28°40'31"E |
| Area Served: | Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Operator/Owner: | Provincial Government |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 2429 feet (740 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from UTT |
| More Information: | UTT Maps & Info |
Facts about Wallops Flight Facility Airport (WAL):
- Because of Wallops Flight Facility Airport's relatively low elevation of 0 feet, planes can take off or land at Wallops Flight Facility 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 1945, NASA's predecessor agency, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, established a rocket launch site on Wallops Island under the direction of the Langley Research Center.
- The Wallops Flight Facility also supports science missions for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and occasionally for foreign governments and commercial organizations.
- The furthest airport from Wallops Flight Facility Airport (WAL) is Margaret River Airport (MGV), which is located 11,785 miles (18,965 kilometers) away in Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.
- The Wallops Research Range includes ground-based and mobile systems, and a range control center.
- The closest airport to Wallops Flight Facility Airport (WAL) is Accomack County Airport (MFV), which is located 26 miles (42 kilometers) SW of WAL.
Facts about Mthatha Airport (UTT):
- The furthest airport from Mthatha Airport (UTT) is Kalaupapa Airport (LUP), which is located 11,642 miles (18,736 kilometers) away in Kalaupapa, Hawaii, United States.
- The closest airport to Mthatha Airport (UTT) is Margate Airport (MGH), which is located 109 miles (176 kilometers) ENE of UTT.
- Mthatha Airport (UTT) currently has only 1 runway.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 25.88 miles (41.65 km) SW | Accomack County Airport (MFV) | Melfa, Virginia, United States |     |
| 2 | 27.72 miles (44.62 km) N | Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico Regional Airport (SBY) | Salisbury, Maryland, United States | |
| 3 | 31.64 miles (50.93 km) NE | Ocean City Municipal Airport (OCE) | Ocean City, Maryland, United States | |
| 4 | 51.48 miles (82.86 km) NW | Cambridge–Dorchester Airport (CGE) | Cambridge, Maryland, United States | |
| 5 | 51.98 miles (83.66 km) N | Sussex County Airport (GED) | Georgetown, Delaware, United States | |
| 6 | 56.67 miles (91.21 km) WNW | Naval Air Station Patuxent River (NHK) | Patuxent River, Maryland, United States | |
| 7 | 64.34 miles (103.55 km) WNW | St. Mary's County Regional Airport (LTW) | Leonardtown, Maryland, United States | |
| 8 | 68.03 miles (109.49 km) NNW | Easton Airport (ESN) | Easton, Maryland, United States | |
| 9 | 76.88 miles (123.73 km) SW | Langley Field (LFI) | Hampton, Virginia, United States | |
| 10 | 79.26 miles (127.56 km) SW | Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) | Newport News, Virginia, United States | |
| 11 | 79.75 miles (128.34 km) NNE | Cape May Airport (WWD) | Wildwood, New Jersey, United States | |
| 12 | 82.09 miles (132.11 km) N | Dover Air Force Base (DOV) | Dover, Delaware, United States | |
| 13 | 82.72 miles (133.13 km) SSW | Norfolk International Airport (ORF) | Norfolk, Virginia (near Virginia Beach and Williamsburg), United States | |
| 14 | 82.98 miles (133.55 km) SW | Naval Station Norfolk (NGU) | Norfolk, Virginia, United States | |
| 15 | 83.39 miles (134.20 km) SSW | Naval Air Station Oceana (NTU) | Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,784.50 miles (18,965.27 km) WSW | Margaret River Airport (MGV) | Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 2 | 11,761.35 miles (18,928.01 km) WSW | Busselton Regional Airport (BQB) | Busselton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 3 | 11,741.51 miles (18,896.08 km) WSW | Manjimup Airport (MJP) | Manjimup, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 4 | 11,736.98 miles (18,888.79 km) WSW | Bunbury Airport (BUY) | Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 5 | 11,691.74 miles (18,815.99 km) WSW | Rottnest Airport (RTS) | Rottnest Island, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 6 | 11,679.22 miles (18,795.83 km) WSW | Jandakot Airport (JAD) | Jandakot, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 7 | 11,671.19 miles (18,782.92 km) WSW | Albany Airport (ALH) | Albany, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 8 | 11,668.81 miles (18,779.08 km) WSW | Perth Airport (PER) | Perth, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 9 | 11,646.34 miles (18,742.92 km) WSW | Katanning Airport (KNI) | Katanning, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 10 | 11,637.42 miles (18,728.57 km) SW | Jurien Bay Airport (JUR) | Jurien Bay, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 11 | 11,575.49 miles (18,628.90 km) SW | Geraldton Airport (GET) | Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 12 | 11,542.62 miles (18,576.00 km) SW | Morawa Airport (MWB) | Morawa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 13 | 11,532.23 miles (18,559.27 km) SW | Kalbarri Airport (KAX) | Kalbarri, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 14 | 11,526.56 miles (18,550.15 km) SW | Mullewa Airport (MXU) | Mullewa, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 15 | 11,451.06 miles (18,428.65 km) SW | Shark Bay Airport (MJK) | Monkey Mia, Western Australia, Australia | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 109.39 miles (176.05 km) ENE | Margate Airport (MGH) | Margate, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 2 | 114.31 miles (183.96 km) SSW | East London Airport (ELS) | East London, South Africa | |
| 3 | 114.39 miles (184.10 km) N | Lebakeng Airport (LEF) | Lebakeng, Lesotho | |
| 4 | 123.55 miles (198.83 km) NNW | Semonkong Airport (SOK) | Semonkong, Lesotho | |
| 5 | 125.17 miles (201.45 km) N | Lesobeng Airport (LES) | Lesobeng, Lesotho | |
| 6 | 147.60 miles (237.54 km) NW | Mafeteng Airport (MFC) | Mafeteng, Lesotho | |
| 7 | 158.26 miles (254.69 km) N | Mokhotlong Airport (MKH) | Mokhotlong, Lesotho | |
| 8 | 158.75 miles (255.49 km) NNW | Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU) | Maseru, Lesotho | |
| 9 | 166.52 miles (267.98 km) NE | Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) | Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | |
| 10 | 173.72 miles (279.57 km) SW | Port Alfred Airport (AFD) | Port Alfred, South Africa | |
| 11 | 189.60 miles (305.13 km) NNW | Leribe Airport (LRB) | Leribe, Lesotho | |
| 12 | 196.76 miles (316.66 km) NE | King Shaka International (DUR) | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 13 | 214.85 miles (345.77 km) NNE | Ladysmith Airport (LAY) | Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 14 | 220.71 miles (355.19 km) NW | Bloemfontein International Airport (BFN) | Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa | |
| 15 | 245.11 miles (394.47 km) SW | Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,642.06 miles (18,736.04 km) NNE | Kalaupapa Airport (LUP) | Kalaupapa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 2 | 11,639.36 miles (18,731.70 km) NNE | Hana Airport (HNM) | Hana, Hawaii, United States | |
| 3 | 11,636.25 miles (18,726.68 km) NNE | Kahului Airport (OGG) | Kahului, Hawaii, United States | |
| 4 | 11,635.06 miles (18,724.77 km) NNE | Molokai Airport (MKK) | Kaunakakai, Hawaii, United States | |
| 5 | 11,634.31 miles (18,723.56 km) NNE | Kapalua Airport (JHM) | Lahaina, Hawaii, United States | |
| 6 | 11,628.23 miles (18,713.77 km) NNE | Dillingham Airfield (HDH) | Mokuleia, Hawaii, United States | |
| 7 | 11,627.58 miles (18,712.73 km) NNE | Wheeler AAF (HHI) | Wahiawa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 8 | 11,621.20 miles (18,702.45 km) NNE | Honolulu International Airport (HNL) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 9 | 11,621.20 miles (18,702.45 km) NNE | Hickam Field (HIK) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 10 | 11,620.94 miles (18,702.05 km) NE | Princeville Airport (HPV) | Hanalei, Hawaii, United States | |
| 11 | 11,615.92 miles (18,693.96 km) NNE | Kalaeloa Airport (NAX) | Kapolei, Hawaii, United States | |
| 12 | 11,615.88 miles (18,693.90 km) NNE | Lanai Airport (LNY) | Lanai City, Hawaii, United States | |
| 13 | 11,611.81 miles (18,687.35 km) NE | Lihue Airport (LIH) | Lihue, Hawaii, United States | |
| 14 | 11,608.22 miles (18,681.57 km) NNE | Upolu Airport (UPP) | Hawi, Hawaii, United States | |
| 15 | 11,597.70 miles (18,664.64 km) NE | PMRF Barking Sands (BKH) | Kekaha, Hawaii, United States | |