Chicago to Beijing
13h 34m The flight from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) covers 10,587 km (6,578 miles) and takes approximately 13h 34m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north on an initial great-circle bearing of 342°, passing near 76.3° N, 169.0° 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 | 19h 15m | 19h 40m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 13h 34m | 14h 00m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 11h 46m | 12h 11m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 12h 27m | 12h 52m |
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
| MDW | PEK | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Chicago Midway International Airport | Beijing Capital International Airport |
| City | Chicago | Beijing |
| Country | United States | China |
| ICAO | KMDW | ZBAA |
| Coordinates | 41.786, -87.7524 | 40.0773, 116.5967 |
| Elevation | 620 ft | 116 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Chicago to Beijing?
A non-stop flight from Chicago (MDW) to Beijing (PEK) takes about 13h 34m. The great-circle distance is 10,587 km (6,578 miles, 5,716 nautical miles), flying north on an initial bearing of 342°.
How far is Chicago from Beijing?
10,587 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 6,578 miles or 5,716 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 MDW and PEK?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 10,587 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 13h 34m 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.