Cairo to Chicago
12h 41m The flight from Cairo International Airport (CAI) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) covers 9,875 km (6,136 miles) and takes approximately 12h 41m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 320°, passing near 55.0° N, 20.9° 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 | 17h 57m | 18h 22m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 12h 40m | 13h 05m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 10h 58m | 11h 24m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 11h 37m | 12h 02m |
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
| CAI | ORD | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Cairo International Airport | Chicago O'Hare International Airport |
| City | Cairo | Chicago |
| Country | Egypt | United States |
| ICAO | HECA | KORD |
| Coordinates | 30.1115, 31.3967 | 41.9786, -87.9048 |
| Elevation | 322 ft | 680 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Cairo to Chicago?
A non-stop flight from Cairo (CAI) to Chicago (ORD) takes about 12h 41m. The great-circle distance is 9,875 km (6,136 miles, 5,332 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 320°.
How far is Cairo from Chicago?
9,875 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 6,136 miles or 5,332 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 CAI and ORD?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 9,875 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 12h 41m 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.