Mileage Calculator Between Airports

Haversine Formula:

\[ Distance = 2R \times \arcsin\left(\sqrt{\sin^2\left(\frac{\Delta\phi}{2}\right) + \cos(\phi_1) \times \cos(\phi_2) \times \sin^2\left(\frac{\Delta\lambda}{2}\right)}\right) \]

Latitude 1:

degrees

Longitude 1:

degrees

Latitude 2:

degrees

Longitude 2:

degrees

Distance (miles):

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is the Haversine Formula?

The Haversine formula calculates the great-circle distance between two points on a sphere given their longitudes and latitudes. It's particularly useful for calculating air mileage between airports, providing accurate distance measurements over the Earth's surface.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Haversine formula:

\[ Distance = 2R \times \arcsin\left(\sqrt{\sin^2\left(\frac{\Delta\phi}{2}\right) + \cos(\phi_1) \times \cos(\phi_2) \times \sin^2\left(\frac{\Delta\lambda}{2}\right)}\right) \]

Where:

\( R \) — Earth's radius (3959 miles)
\( \phi_1, \phi_2 \) — Latitude of point 1 and 2 in radians
\( \lambda_1, \lambda_2 \) — Longitude of point 1 and 2 in radians
\( \Delta\phi \) — Difference in latitude
\( \Delta\lambda \) — Difference in longitude

Explanation: The formula accounts for the spherical shape of the Earth, providing accurate great-circle distances between any two points on the globe.

3. Importance of Air Mileage Calculation

Details: Accurate air mileage calculation is essential for flight planning, fuel estimation, flight time calculations, airline scheduling, and frequent flyer programs. It helps determine the most efficient routes between airports.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter latitude and longitude coordinates in decimal degrees. Latitude ranges from -90° to 90° (negative for Southern Hemisphere), longitude ranges from -180° to 180° (negative for Western Hemisphere). Ensure all coordinates are valid within these ranges.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use Haversine instead of simple Euclidean distance?
A: Haversine accounts for the Earth's curvature, providing accurate great-circle distances, while Euclidean distance assumes a flat surface and becomes increasingly inaccurate over long distances.

Q2: How accurate is the Haversine formula?
A: The formula is very accurate for most practical purposes, with errors typically less than 0.5% for distances up to 20,000 km.

Q3: What is the difference between air mileage and driving distance?
A: Air mileage represents the shortest path between two points (great-circle distance), while driving distance follows roads and terrain, typically being longer.

Q4: Can I use this for nautical miles?
A: Yes, simply change the Earth's radius constant to 3440 nautical miles instead of 3959 statute miles.

Q5: Where can I find airport coordinates?
A: Airport coordinates are available from aviation authorities, flight planning software, and various online databases including FAA and ICAO sources.