Hay River to Fort Smith Flight Distance
Hay River / Merlyn Carter Airport (YHY) to Fort Smith Airport (YSM)
Primary sources · 6
- [1] Vincenty (1975) — Direct and Inverse Solutions of Geodesics on the Ellipsoid — the iterative formula used for distance · Survey Review XXIII (176), pp. 88–93 · April 1975 https://www.ngs.noaa.gov/PUBS_LIB/inverse.pdf
- [2] NGA.STND.0036_1.0.0_WGS84 — WGS-84 reference ellipsoid (a = 6,378,137 m, 1/f = 298.257223563) · NGA Standard · July 2014 https://earth-info.nga.mil/index.php?dir=wgs84&action=wgs84
- [3] DESNZ 2024 conversion factors — Per-km kg CO₂e factors for the three distance bands and four cabin classes · UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero · June 2024 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-conversion-factors-2024
- [4] Lee et al. (2021) — Effective radiative forcing of aviation — the science behind the 1.9 × CO₂ → CO₂e uplift · Atmospheric Environment 244, 117834 · January 2021 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.117834
- [5] OpenFlights — Airport coordinates and IATA codes · openflights.org/data.php · Community-maintained https://openflights.org/data.php
- [6] Sack (2010) — Jet-lag review — clinical chronobiology and asymmetric recovery rates · New England Journal of Medicine 362:440 · February 2010 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp0909838
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Your Route Summary
What This Means For Your Trip
Flight Duration: At 143 miles, this short-haul flight will take approximately 0h 46m. This is a relatively quick flight where you may not even need entertainment.
Time Adjustment: Fort Smith is 0 hours ahead of Hay River. You should experience minimal jet lag.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 58 kg of CO2. This is relatively low for air travel.
Flight Options: 1 airline serves this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 143 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 229 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 124 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 0h 46m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | SHORT HAUL | Short-haul flight (under 1,500 km) |
| Flight Direction | 112° ESE | East-Southeast |
| Cruising Altitude | 25,000 ft | FL250 (7,620 m) |
| Time Difference | +0h | Jet lag: none |
| CO2 (Economy) | 58 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 169 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 234 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 6 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 7 L | ~1,260 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 1 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
Hay River / Merlyn Carter Airport
Hay River, Canada
Fort Smith Airport
Fort Smith, Canada
Airlines Flying This Route
1 airline operate flights between Hay River and Fort Smith.
Flight Details
Flight Midpoint
The geographic midpoint of this flight is located at:
Carbon Emissions by Cabin Class
CO2 emissions vary by cabin class due to seat space allocation. Based on DEFRA 2024 emission factors.
Jet Lag & Travel Tips
- Minimal time difference - jet lag unlikely
Seat Recommendations
Distance in Perspective
Distance & Speed Reference
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Statute Miles | 143 mi |
| Kilometers | 229 km |
| Nautical Miles | 124 nm |
| Meters | 229,000 m |
| Feet | 755,040 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 0h 46m |
| Driving Time (80 km/h avg) | 3 hours |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 229 km between Hay River and Fort Smith at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 0h 46m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 0h 27m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 0h 43m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 2h 17m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 46h (2 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 0h 11m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Hay River from Fort Smith?
The flight distance from Hay River / Merlyn Carter Airport (YHY) to Fort Smith Airport (YSM) is 143 miles (229 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 0h 46m. This is a short-haul flight typically cruising at 25,000 feet (FL250).
What is the time difference?
Fort Smith is 0 hours ahead of Hay River.
What airlines fly this route?
1 airline operate this route: Northwestern Air.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 58 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 169 kg. First class: 234 kg. Offset with ~6 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this East-Southeast flight, the left side offers the best views away from sun glare.
Can I drive from Hay River to Fort Smith instead of flying?
Driving is a practical alternative at only 229 km. It would take approximately 3 hours at average highway speed. For shorter distances like this, driving can be more convenient when factoring in airport check-in time.
What aircraft typically fly this route?
This short-haul route is typically served by Airbus A320, Boeing 737, Embraer E190 aircraft. These are narrow-body aircraft designed for efficient short-distance travel.
How can I offset the carbon from this flight?
An economy class seat on this route produces 58 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 6 trees, purchasing verified carbon credits through programs like Gold Standard or Verra, or supporting renewable energy projects. Many airlines also offer built-in carbon offset options during booking.
External Resources & References
Learn more about the airports, aviation data, and carbon emissions methodology used in this calculation.