Nonstop flight route between Wellington, New Zealand and Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa:
Departure Airport:
(41°19'37"S by 174°48'19"E)
Arrival Airport:
(28°44'26"S by 32°5'30"E)
Distance from WLG to RCB:
7,041.11 miles (11,331.55 km)
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Jump to:
- About this route
- WLG Airport Information
- RCB Airport Information
- Facts about WLG
- Facts about RCB
- Map of Nearest Airports to WLG
- List of Nearest Airports to WLG
- Map of Furthest Airports from WLG
- List of Furthest Airports from WLG
- Map of Nearest Airports to RCB
- List of Nearest Airports to RCB
- Map of Furthest Airports from RCB
- List of Furthest Airports from RCB
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Wellington International Airport (WLG), Wellington, New Zealand and Richards Bay Airport (RCB), Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa would travel a Great Circle distance of 7,041 miles (or 11,332 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 Wellington International Airport and Richards Bay 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 Wellington International Airport and Richards Bay Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | WLG / NZWN |
| Airport Name: | Wellington International Airport |
| Location: | Wellington, New Zealand |
| GPS Coordinates: | 41°19'37"S by 174°48'19"E |
| Area Served: | Wellington, New Zealand |
| Operator/Owner: | Infratil, Wellington City Council |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 42 feet (13 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from WLG |
| More Information: | WLG Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | RCB / FARB |
| Airport Name: | Richards Bay Airport |
| Location: | Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| GPS Coordinates: | 28°44'26"S by 32°5'30"E |
| Operator/Owner: | uMhlathuze Local Municipality |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 109 feet (33 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from RCB |
| More Information: | RCB Maps & Info |
Facts about Wellington International Airport (WLG):
- Wellington International Airport (WLG) currently has only 1 runway.
- Because of Wellington International Airport's relatively low elevation of 42 feet, planes can take off or land at Wellington 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.
- Wellington's original domestic terminal was built as a temporary measure inside a corrugated iron hangar, originally used to assemble de Havilland aircraft.
- The furthest airport from Wellington International Airport (WLG) is Salamanca-Matacán Airport (SLM), which is nearly antipodal to Wellington International Airport (meaning Wellington International Airport is almost on the exact opposite side of the Earth from Salamanca-Matacán Airport), and is located 12,406 miles (19,966 kilometers) away in Salamanca, Spain.
- The South Pier contains six gates that serve regional aircraft and Air New Zealand Link turboprop aircraft.
- Because of the runway limitations, Qantas purchased two short-bodied "Special Performance" 747SP for flights between Wellington and Australia during the first half of the 1980s.
- The closest airport to Wellington International Airport (WLG) is Kapiti Coast Airport (PPQ), which is located 31 miles (49 kilometers) NNE of WLG.
Facts about Richards Bay Airport (RCB):
- Because of Richards Bay Airport's relatively low elevation of 109 feet, planes can take off or land at Richards Bay 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 Richards Bay Airport (RCB) is Hluhluwe Airport (HLW), which is located 52 miles (83 kilometers) NNE of RCB.
- The furthest airport from Richards Bay Airport (RCB) is Hana Airport (HNM), which is located 11,689 miles (18,812 kilometers) away in Hana, Hawaii, United States.
- Richards Bay Airport (RCB) currently has only 1 runway.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 30.72 miles (49.44 km) NNE | Kapiti Coast Airport (PPQ) | Paraparaumu Beach, New Zealand |     |
| 2 | 49.48 miles (79.63 km) ENE | Hood Aerodrome (MRO) | Masterton, New Zealand | |
| 3 | 50.21 miles (80.80 km) WSW | Woodbourne Airport (BHE) | Blenheim, New Zealand | |
| 4 | 81.48 miles (131.12 km) NNE | Palmerston North Airport (PMR) | Palmerston North, New Zealand | |
| 5 | 82.24 miles (132.35 km) W | Nelson AirportTe Papa Waka Rererangi o Whakatū (NSN) | Nelson, New Zealand | |
| 6 | 95.01 miles (152.91 km) N | Wanganui Airport (WAG) | Wanganui, New Zealand | |
| 7 | 95.18 miles (153.18 km) W | Motueka Aerodrome (MZP) | Motueka, New Zealand | |
| 8 | 97.89 miles (157.55 km) SW | Kaikoura Aerodrome (KBZ) | Kaikoura, New Zealand | |
| 9 | 108.14 miles (174.03 km) WNW | Takaka Aerodrome (KTF) | Takaka, New Zealand | |
| 10 | 163.57 miles (263.25 km) NNW | New Plymouth Airport (NPL) | New Plymouth, New Zealand | |
| 11 | 168.27 miles (270.80 km) NE | Hawke's Bay Airport (NPE) | Napier, New Zealand | |
| 12 | 169.16 miles (272.24 km) W | Westport Airport (WSZ) | Westport, New Zealand | |
| 13 | 189.10 miles (304.33 km) SW | Christchurch International Airport (CHC) | Christchurch, New Zealand | |
| 14 | 191.15 miles (307.63 km) NNE | Taupo AirportTe Papa Waka Rererangi o Taupō (TUO) | Taupo, New Zealand | |
| 15 | 201.76 miles (324.70 km) WSW | Greymouth Airport (GMN) | Greymouth, New Zealand | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 12,406.34 miles (19,966.01 km) NNE | Salamanca-Matacán Airport (SLM) | Salamanca, Spain | |
| 2 | 12,405.18 miles (19,964.15 km) NW | Valladolid International Airport (VLL) | Valladolid, Spain | |
| 3 | 12,350.49 miles (19,876.14 km) ENE | Bragança Airport (BGC) | Bragança, Portugal | |
| 4 | 12,346.47 miles (19,869.66 km) NNE | León Airport (LEN) | León, Spain | |
| 5 | 12,333.02 miles (19,848.02 km) NW | Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport[1] (MAD) | Madrid, Spain | |
| 6 | 12,328.95 miles (19,841.47 km) WNW | Madrid–Torrejón Airport (TOJ) | Torrejón de Ardoz, Spain | |
| 7 | 12,328.68 miles (19,841.03 km) NW | Burgos Airport (RGS) | Burgos, Spain | |
| 8 | 12,305.70 miles (19,804.05 km) E | Vila Real Airport (VRL) | Vila Real, Portugal | |
| 9 | 12,296.53 miles (19,789.29 km) ENE | Covilhã Airport (COV) | Covilhã, Portugal | |
| 10 | 12,276.46 miles (19,756.99 km) NNE | Asturias Airport (OVD) | Oviedo, Asturias, Spain | |
| 11 | 12,275.65 miles (19,755.70 km) NNW | Santander Airport (SDR) | Santander, Cantabria, Spain | |
| 12 | 12,270.72 miles (19,747.76 km) NW | Vitoria-Gasteiz Airport (VIT) | Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain | |
| 13 | 12,269.52 miles (19,745.84 km) WNW | Logroño–Agoncillo Airport (RJL) | Logroño, Spain | |
| 14 | 12,267.55 miles (19,742.66 km) E | Braga Airport (BGZ) | Braga, Portugal | |
| 15 | 12,257.32 miles (19,726.19 km) NW | Bilbao Airport (BIO) | Bilbao, Spain | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 51.82 miles (83.40 km) NNE | Hluhluwe Airport (HLW) | Hluhluwe, South Africa | |
| 2 | 84.75 miles (136.40 km) SW | King Shaka International (DUR) | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 3 | 119.80 miles (192.80 km) WSW | Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) | Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | |
| 4 | 142.22 miles (228.88 km) W | Ladysmith Airport (LAY) | Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 5 | 160.19 miles (257.81 km) NNW | Matsapha Airport (MTS) | Manzini, Swaziland | |
| 6 | 180.06 miles (289.77 km) SW | Margate Airport (MGH) | Margate, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 7 | 186.21 miles (299.68 km) WSW | Mokhotlong Airport (MKH) | Mokhotlong, Lesotho | |
| 8 | 197.06 miles (317.14 km) N | Maputo International Airport (MPM) | Maputo, Mozambique | |
| 9 | 221.74 miles (356.85 km) WSW | Lebakeng Airport (LEF) | Lebakeng, Lesotho | |
| 10 | 235.81 miles (379.50 km) WSW | Lesobeng Airport (LES) | Lesobeng, Lesotho | |
| 11 | 239.78 miles (385.89 km) NNW | Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) | Nelspruit, South Africa | |
| 12 | 244.68 miles (393.77 km) W | Leribe Airport (LRB) | Leribe, Lesotho | |
| 13 | 254.51 miles (409.59 km) WSW | Semonkong Airport (SOK) | Semonkong, Lesotho | |
| 14 | 273.13 miles (439.56 km) N | Mala Mala Airport (AAM) | Mala Mala, South Africa | |
| 15 | 274.02 miles (441.00 km) WNW | Heidelberg Airport (HDB) | Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,688.97 miles (18,811.52 km) NE | Hana Airport (HNM) | Hana, Hawaii, United States | |
| 2 | 11,676.26 miles (18,791.08 km) NE | Kahului Airport (OGG) | Kahului, Hawaii, United States | |
| 3 | 11,668.75 miles (18,778.99 km) NE | Kapalua Airport (JHM) | Lahaina, Hawaii, United States | |
| 4 | 11,668.60 miles (18,778.74 km) NE | Hilo International Airport (ITO) | Hilo, Hawaii, United States | |
| 5 | 11,667.34 miles (18,776.72 km) NE | Upolu Airport (UPP) | Hawi, Hawaii, United States | |
| 6 | 11,667.27 miles (18,776.61 km) NE | Kalaupapa Airport (LUP) | Kalaupapa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 7 | 11,660.70 miles (18,766.03 km) NE | Waimea-Kohala Airport (MUE) | Kamuela, Hawaii, United States | |
| 8 | 11,658.80 miles (18,762.97 km) NE | Molokai Airport (MKK) | Kaunakakai, Hawaii, United States | |
| 9 | 11,649.90 miles (18,748.65 km) NE | Pōhakuloa Training Area (BSF) | Camp Pohakuloa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 10 | 11,647.45 miles (18,744.70 km) NE | Lanai Airport (LNY) | Lanai City, Hawaii, United States | |
| 11 | 11,631.35 miles (18,718.80 km) NE | Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA) | Kailua / Kona, Hawaii, United States | |
| 12 | 11,629.30 miles (18,715.50 km) NE | Wheeler AAF (HHI) | Wahiawa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 13 | 11,627.50 miles (18,712.60 km) NE | Honolulu International Airport (HNL) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 14 | 11,627.50 miles (18,712.60 km) NE | Hickam Field (HIK) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 15 | 11,625.76 miles (18,709.81 km) NE | Dillingham Airfield (HDH) | Mokuleia, Hawaii, United States | |