Cape Town to Dubai
9h 55m The flight from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Dubai International Airport (DXB) covers 7,644 km (4,750 miles) and takes approximately 9h 55m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 36°, passing near 4.6° S, 37.8° E 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 | 13h 54m | 14h 19m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 9h 48m | 10h 13m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 8h 30m | 8h 55m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 9h 00m | 9h 25m |
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 | DXB | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Cape Town International Airport | Dubai International Airport |
| City | Cape Town | Dubai |
| Country | South Africa | United Arab Emirates |
| ICAO | FACT | OMDB |
| Coordinates | -33.974, 18.6043 | 25.2498, 55.371 |
| Elevation | 151 ft | 62 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Cape Town to Dubai?
A non-stop flight from Cape Town (CPT) to Dubai (DXB) takes about 9h 55m. The great-circle distance is 7,644 km (4,750 miles, 4,128 nautical miles), flying north-east on an initial bearing of 36°.
How far is Cape Town from Dubai?
7,644 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 4,750 miles or 4,128 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 DXB?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 7,644 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 9h 55m 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.