Flight Time Calculator
Estimate flight duration between major cities based on great-circle distance.
Popular Long-Haul Routes
| Route | Distance | Approx. Time |
|---|---|---|
| New York → London | 5,540 km / 3,440 mi | 7h |
| Los Angeles → Tokyo | 8,815 km / 5,478 mi | 11h |
| London → Sydney | 16,993 km / 10,560 mi | 22h+ |
| New York → Los Angeles | 3,983 km / 2,475 mi | 5.5h |
| Dubai → London | 5,480 km / 3,405 mi | 7h |
| Singapore → London | 10,841 km / 6,737 mi | 13h |
| Frankfurt → Beijing | 7,815 km / 4,856 mi | 10h |
| Paris → São Paulo | 9,373 km / 5,823 mi | 11.5h |
Frequently Asked Questions
How is flight time calculated?▼
Flight time is estimated by dividing the great-circle distance (shortest path on a sphere between two points) by the aircraft's cruising speed. Real flight times vary due to jet streams, routing around restricted airspace, weather diversions, and ATC constraints. Eastbound transatlantic flights are often 30–60 min shorter than westbound due to favorable jet stream.
What is the great-circle route?▼
The great-circle route is the shortest path between two points on a sphere. On a flat map (Mercator projection), this looks curved, but it's actually the shortest distance. Aircraft follow great-circle routes (or close approximations considering winds and airspace) to minimize fuel and time.
Why do some flights have connecting stops?▼
Direct routes aren't always available due to aircraft range limits, bilateral air agreements, or lack of demand. The Boeing 777-200LR has a range of ~17,400 km, making routes like Auckland–Dubai possible nonstop. Older aircraft (737s) have ~5,700 km range and cannot fly transoceanic routes.
What is the longest commercial flight?▼
As of 2024, Singapore Airlines SQ24 (Singapore to New York JFK) is the world's longest commercial flight at approximately 15,344 km (9,535 mi), taking about 18.5 hours westbound and 17.5 hours eastbound. It uses the Airbus A350-900ULR (Ultra Long Range).