Los Angeles to Auckland: what the LAX to AKL corridor looks like
- Departure
- Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, the United States
- Arrival
- Auckland Airport, Auckland, New Zealand
- Great-circle distance
- 10,486 km (5,662 nm)
- Typical airborne time
- 12h 42m
- Usual cruise levels
- FL320 to FL410
- Initial track
- southwest bound
Route overview
The LAX to AKL sector connects Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, the United States, with Auckland Airport in Auckland, New Zealand. Measured along the great circle the two airports are 10,486 km apart, roughly 5,662 nautical miles, which is close to 12h 42m in the air before winds and routing are taken into account. The initial track is southwest bound, and the middle of the route sits in equatorial latitudes.
Crossing the Intertropical Convergence Zone
Along the way the track passes over the equator, the open Atlantic and the open Pacific. The equatorial part of this corridor crosses the Intertropical Convergence Zone. Storm activity there is convective, which means it is concentrated in cells the crew can see on radar and route around. Time of day matters more than season: early departures cross before daytime heating builds the largest cells.
Cruise altitudes on this sector
Ultra long sectors begin cruise lower, often near FL320 because of the fuel load, and finish two or three step climbs higher, up to FL400 or FL410. Choice of level matters because turbulence is layered: a change of two or three thousand feet often puts the aircraft into calmer air, and that is one of the first adjustments a crew will request.
Seasonal pattern
The convergence zone shifts north and south with the seasons rather than disappearing, so time of day matters more than month. Morning departures cross before the largest cells build.
Flying this route with less worry
It is worth remembering that turbulence of the kind found on the LAX to AKL track is uncomfortable and entirely within what the aircraft is built for. Wings are designed to flex, the flight is planned around the forecast, and the crew adjusts level or track when it helps. The live forecast above shows the current picture for this corridor so there are fewer surprises on the day.