Beijing to Minneapolis
12h 59m The flight from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field (MSP) covers 10,110 km (6,282 miles) and takes approximately 12h 59m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north on an initial great-circle bearing of 21°, passing near 74.2° N, 176.5° 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 | 18h 23m | 18h 48m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 12h 58m | 13h 23m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 11h 14m | 11h 39m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 11h 54m | 12h 19m |
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
| PEK | MSP | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Beijing Capital International Airport | Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field |
| City | Beijing | Minneapolis |
| Country | China | United States |
| ICAO | ZBAA | KMSP |
| Coordinates | 40.0773, 116.5967 | 44.8801, -93.2217 |
| Elevation | 116 ft | 841 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Beijing to Minneapolis?
A non-stop flight from Beijing (PEK) to Minneapolis (MSP) takes about 12h 59m. The great-circle distance is 10,110 km (6,282 miles, 5,459 nautical miles), flying north on an initial bearing of 21°.
How far is Beijing from Minneapolis?
10,110 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 6,282 miles or 5,459 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 PEK and MSP?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 10,110 km the route is within reach of long-range widebodies, though not every city pair is served non-stop. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
What should I expect on a 12h 59m 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.