Airport Elevation Comparator
Compare airport elevations and understand how altitude affects aviation operations, engine performance, and runway requirements.
Elevation Difference
Visual Comparison
Altitude Categories
Sea Level
< 500 ft
Low
500 - 2,000 ft
Moderate
2,000 - 5,000 ft
High
5,000 - 8,000 ft
Very High
> 8,000 ft
How Elevation Affects Aviation
- Thinner air at higher altitudes reduces engine performance and aerodynamic lift. Aircraft need higher ground speeds to generate the same lift, requiring longer runways for takeoff and landing.
- Density altitude increases with elevation and temperature. On hot days at high-altitude airports, effective altitude can be significantly higher than the field elevation, further reducing performance.
- Payload restrictions are common at high-altitude airports. Airlines may limit passengers, cargo, or fuel to ensure safe takeoff performance within the available runway length.
- Notable high-altitude airports include Daocheng Yading (DCY, 14,472 ft), Qamdo Bamda (BPX, 14,219 ft), and La Paz El Alto (LPB, 13,325 ft), all requiring specially trained pilots and extended runways.