Cape Town to Chicago
17h 27m The flight from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) covers 13,710 km (8,519 miles) and takes approximately 17h 27m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 301°, passing near 6.7° N, 30.5° 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 | 24h 56m | 25h 21m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 17h 35m | 18h 00m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 15h 14m | 15h 39m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 16h 08m | 16h 33m |
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
| CPT | ORD | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Cape Town International Airport | Chicago O'Hare International Airport |
| City | Cape Town | Chicago |
| Country | South Africa | United States |
| ICAO | FACT | KORD |
| Coordinates | -33.974, 18.6043 | 41.9786, -87.9048 |
| Elevation | 151 ft | 680 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Cape Town to Chicago?
A non-stop flight from Cape Town (CPT) to Chicago (ORD) takes about 17h 27m. The great-circle distance is 13,710 km (8,519 miles, 7,403 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 301°.
How far is Cape Town from Chicago?
13,710 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 8,519 miles or 7,403 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 CPT and ORD?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 13,710 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 17h 27m 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.
Other routes from Cape Town
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.