Air Miles Calculator
Find the flight miles between any two airports. Add connections, see flight time and estimate the frequent flyer miles you could earn.
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What is an air miles calculator?
An air miles calculator shows how far you fly between two airports. It measures the flight distance in a straight line over the earth. This is the number airlines use for most route maps and many reward programs.
You can type an airport code like JFK, an airport name or a city. Add connecting flights to see the miles for each leg. Turn on round trip to count the flight home too.
The tool also works as a flight miles calculator for rewards. Pick your cabin or enter your ticket price to estimate the frequent flyer miles you could earn.
Airport codes
Type JFK, LHR or DXB. Over 90 major airports are built in.
Multi city trips
Add up to four connections and see each leg.
Flight time
Get an estimate of time in the air for every flight.
Miles earned
Estimate rewards by distance or by ticket price.
How to calculate flight miles between airports
It takes a few seconds. Follow these four steps.
- Enter your airportsType the departure and arrival airport. Use the 3 letter code or the city name.
- Add connectionsFlying through a hub? Tap "Add a connection" for each stop. Turn on round trip if you fly back.
- Pick how you earnChoose by distance and select your cabin. Or choose by ticket price and enter what you paid.
- CalculateSee total air miles, flight time, each leg and your estimated miles earned.
Air miles vs frequent flyer miles
People use the word "miles" for two different things. One is how far you fly. The other is the reward points you collect. They are linked, but they are not the same.
Flight distance miles
The real distance between two airports.
- Measured as a straight line over the earth.
- Always the same for the same two airports.
- Used to plan trips and compare routes.
Frequent flyer miles
Points you earn in an airline reward program.
- Based on distance, ticket price or both.
- Change with your cabin and fare type.
- Used for free flights and upgrades.
You get the exact flight distance first. Then an estimate of the reward miles you could earn on top.
Statute miles, nautical miles and kilometers
Airlines and travelers use statute miles. That is the normal mile you see on road signs in the US. Pilots and air traffic control use nautical miles. Most of the world uses kilometers.
Switch between all three in the tool. The total and every leg update right away.
| Unit | Equal to | Used by |
|---|---|---|
| 1 statute mile | 1.609 km or 0.869 nm | Travelers, US airlines |
| 1 kilometer | 0.621 mi or 0.540 nm | Most countries |
| 1 nautical mile | 1.852 km or 1.151 mi | Pilots, flight plans |
How the flight distance is measured
Three things happen each time you press Calculate.
Find the airport
Each airport has a fixed spot on the map, set by latitude and longitude. The tool uses these coordinates for the start and end of every flight.
Follow the curve
The earth is round. So the shortest path is a curved line called the great circle route. We use the haversine formula to measure it.
Add the legs
For trips with connections, each flight is measured on its own. Then all legs are added together for your total air miles.
Why your real flight may be longer
The great circle distance is the shortest path. Real planes do not always fly it. Your actual distance flown can be a little longer.
Wind
Pilots use the jet stream to save fuel. That can bend the route north or south.
Air routes
Planes follow set paths in the sky, like highways. These are not perfectly straight.
Closed airspace
Some countries or areas are off limits. Flights must go around them.
Take off and landing
Planes circle and line up with the runway. This adds a few miles to each flight.
Popular flight distances
Great circle distances between busy airports. Flight times are estimates. Click a route to open it in the calculator.
| Route | Miles | Kilometers | Est. flight time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3,442 | 5,540 | 7h 23m | |
| 2,470 | 3,974 | 5h 26m | |
| 1,741 | 2,802 | 3h 59m | |
| 404 | 651 | 1h 18m | |
| 3,625 | 5,833 | 7h 45m | |
| 5,148 | 8,286 | 10h 48m | |
| 3,416 | 5,497 | 7h 20m | |
| 7,494 | 12,061 | 15h 29m | |
| 6,761 | 10,881 | 14h 01m | |
| 738 | 1,188 | 1h 59m |
How frequent flyer miles are earned
Airline reward programs use one of two main methods. Some use both, depending on who sold the ticket. Check your own program for exact rates.
Two ways to earn
Distance based: Flight miles × Cabin rate + Status bonus
Spend based: Ticket price × Miles per dollar
Many US airlines now use the spend method on their own flights. Distance is still common when you fly a partner airline and credit miles to another program.
| Cabin and fare | Typical distance rate | On a 3,000 mile flight |
|---|---|---|
| Basic economy | 0 to 25% | 0 to 750 |
| Discount economy | 25 to 50% | 750 to 1,500 |
| Economy | 100% | 3,000 |
| Premium economy | 100 to 125% | 3,000 to 3,750 |
| Business | 125 to 150% | 3,750 to 4,500 |
| First | 150 to 200% | 4,500 to 6,000 |
Tips to earn more airline miles
A few smart choices can add thousands of miles a year.
Join before you fly
Sign up for the airline program before you book. Add your number to every ticket.
Stick to one alliance
Fly airlines in the same group. Your miles add up faster in one account.
Check the fare class
The cheapest tickets often earn few or no miles. A small price jump can earn much more.
Credit to a partner
Some partner programs still pay by distance. That can be worth more on long flights.
Use an airline card
Travel credit cards earn miles on daily spending, not just on flights.
Claim missing miles
Keep your boarding passes. If miles do not post, ask the airline to add them.
Who uses a flight miles calculator?
Here is how travelers put the numbers to work.
Trip planners
Compare routes and see how far each option really is before you book.
Miles collectors
Check how many reward miles a flight could earn and which cabin gives the most.
Status chasers
Add up the miles on a trip to see how close it brings you to your next elite level.
Business travelers
Log flight miles for reports, expense claims or company travel limits.
Carbon trackers
Know the distance first. It is the main input for any flight carbon estimate.
Curious flyers
Find out how many miles you flew this year. It is fun to see the total grow.
Air miles for round trips and multi city flights
Most trips have more than one flight. A round trip doubles the distance. A trip through a hub adds extra miles because you do not fly in a straight line.
Add each connection in the order you fly. The tool measures every leg on its own. Then it adds them up so you see the true total for your whole trip.
This is handy when you compare a nonstop flight with a cheaper one that has a stop. The stop often adds hundreds of miles and hours of travel.
| Trip from New York to London | Total miles |
|---|---|
| Nonstop JFK to LHR | 3,442 |
| Round trip JFK to LHR to JFK | 6,884 |
| JFK to DUB to LHR | 3,450 |
| JFK to CDG to LHR | 3,840 |
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about air miles, flight distance and reward miles.
How do I calculate air miles between two airports?
Enter both airports in the tool and press Calculate. It measures the great circle distance between them and shows it in miles, kilometers or nautical miles.
Are air miles the same as road miles?
The unit is the same, but the path is not. Air miles follow a straight line over the earth. Road miles follow roads, so they are almost always longer.
How many miles do I earn on a flight?
It depends on your airline program. Some pay a share of the distance flown. Others pay a set number of miles per dollar spent. The tool estimates both.
Can I add connecting flights?
Yes. Tap "Add a connection" to add up to four stops. Each leg is measured on its own and then added to the total.
How is flight time estimated?
We use an average speed of about 500 mph plus 30 minutes for take off and landing. Real times change with wind, route and aircraft.
What if my airport is not in the list?
Type the city or airport name. If it is not in the built in list, the tool searches the map and uses that spot.
Why does my airline show a different number?
Airlines may use their own route data or older distance tables. Small differences of a few miles are normal.
Is this air miles calculator free?
Yes. It is free with no sign up. Use it as often as you like.
Need distance by road too?
Compare driving distance and straight line distance between any two places.