Amsterdam to San Diego
11h 37m The flight from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) covers 9,012 km (5,600 miles) and takes approximately 11h 37m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 314°, passing near 61.2° N, 72.1° W at its midpoint.
The route
The great-circle path — the shortest line between the two airports across the curve of the earth. On a flat map it looks bent; on a globe it is straight.
Flight time at different cruise speeds
Aircraft type, winds and routing all move the real number. This is the same distance flown at different speeds, plus the 25-minute ground and climb allowance.
| Typical of | Cruise speed | Airborne | Gate to gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop / regional | 550 km/h | 16h 23m | 16h 48m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 11h 33m | 11h 58m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 10h 01m | 10h 26m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 10h 36m | 11h 01m |
Headwinds on an eastbound long-haul routinely add 30–60 minutes; the same route westbound can be quicker. Airlines publish schedules with padding built in.
Both airports
| AMS | SAN | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Amsterdam Airport Schiphol | San Diego International Airport |
| City | Amsterdam | San Diego |
| Country | Netherlands | United States |
| ICAO | EHAM | KSAN |
| Coordinates | 52.3086, 4.7639 | 32.7336, -117.19 |
| Elevation | -11 ft | 17 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to San Diego?
A non-stop flight from Amsterdam (AMS) to San Diego (SAN) takes about 11h 37m. The great-circle distance is 9,012 km (5,600 miles, 4,866 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 314°.
How far is Amsterdam from San Diego?
9,012 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 5,600 miles or 4,866 nautical miles. Actual flown distance is usually 2–5% longer because aircraft follow airways, avoid weather and route around restricted airspace.
Is there a non-stop flight between AMS and SAN?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 9,012 km the route is comfortably within range of a non-stop service if an airline chooses to fly it. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
What should I expect on a 11h 37m flight?
Anything past six hours is a long-haul flight: expect at least one meal service, a significant time-zone shift, and enough sitting that circulation and hydration start to matter. Cabin altitude, dry air and disrupted sleep do more damage to a training routine than the flight itself.
Airport coordinates from OurAirports (public domain). Distance is a great-circle calculation; flight time uses the model described on the method page. Flight times are great-circle estimates for planning only — always check the airline's published schedule.