Chicago to Narita
12h 58m The flight from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Narita International Airport (NRT) covers 10,098 km (6,275 miles) and takes approximately 12h 58m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 323°, passing near 63.0° N, 159.1° 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 | 18h 22m | 18h 47m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 12h 57m | 13h 22m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 11h 13m | 11h 38m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 11h 53m | 12h 18m |
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 | NRT | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Chicago Midway International Airport | Narita International Airport |
| City | Chicago | Narita |
| Country | United States | Japan |
| ICAO | KMDW | RJAA |
| Coordinates | 41.786, -87.7524 | 35.7686, 140.3887 |
| Elevation | 620 ft | 141 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Chicago to Narita?
A non-stop flight from Chicago (MDW) to Narita (NRT) takes about 12h 58m. The great-circle distance is 10,098 km (6,275 miles, 5,453 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 323°.
How far is Chicago from Narita?
10,098 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 6,275 miles or 5,453 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 NRT?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 10,098 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 12h 58m 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.