Systems and methods for flight management

Systems and methods for flight management are provided. One flight control system is provided that includes a flight management system (32) configured to manage aircraft flight control including at least one of a flight path or an altitude for an aircraft (52). The flight control system also includes a flight parameter selection module (34) configured to determine a Cost Index (CI) and cruising altitude for use by the flight management system to manage the aircraft flight control, wherein the determination is based on a flight cost and predicted weather along the flight path.