Beijing to Washington
14h 15m The flight from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) covers 11,130 km (6,916 miles) and takes approximately 14h 15m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north on an initial great-circle bearing of 11°, passing near 81.8° N, 156.0° 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 | 20h 14m | 20h 39m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 14h 16m | 14h 41m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 12h 22m | 12h 47m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 13h 06m | 13h 31m |
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 | DCA | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Beijing Capital International Airport | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport |
| City | Beijing | Washington |
| Country | China | United States |
| ICAO | ZBAA | KDCA |
| Coordinates | 40.0773, 116.5967 | 38.8521, -77.0377 |
| Elevation | 116 ft | 15 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Beijing to Washington?
A non-stop flight from Beijing (PEK) to Washington (DCA) takes about 14h 15m. The great-circle distance is 11,130 km (6,916 miles, 6,010 nautical miles), flying north on an initial bearing of 11°.
How far is Beijing from Washington?
11,130 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 6,916 miles or 6,010 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 DCA?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 11,130 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 14h 15m 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.