Los Angeles to Hong Kong: what the LAX to HKG corridor looks like
- Departure
- Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, the United States
- Arrival
- Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
- Great-circle distance
- 11,664 km (6,298 nm)
- Typical airborne time
- 14h 04m
- Usual cruise levels
- FL320 to FL410
- Initial track
- northwest bound
Route overview
The LAX to HKG sector connects Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, the United States, with Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR. Measured along the great circle the two airports are 11,664 km apart, roughly 6,298 nautical miles, which is close to 14h 04m in the air before winds and routing are taken into account. The initial track is northwest bound, and the middle of the route sits in subtropical latitudes.
The East Asian jet stream
Along the way the track passes over the open Atlantic and the open Pacific. The East Asian jet stream dominates the winds along this track. Its core is narrow and its position moves day to day, which is why dispatchers replan the route each cycle. Clear air turbulence sits at the edges of that core, and the WAFS forecast shows where it is expected before the flight departs.
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 East Asian jet stream peaks in winter and weakens through the summer, so late summer and early autumn sectors are usually the smoothest on this corridor.
Flying this route with less worry
It is worth remembering that turbulence of the kind found on the LAX to HKG 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.