Chicago to Kathmandu
15h 37m The flight from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) covers 12,237 km (7,604 miles) and takes approximately 15h 37m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north on an initial great-circle bearing of 6°, passing near 81.4° N, 54.7° 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 | 22h 15m | 22h 40m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 15h 41m | 16h 06m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 13h 36m | 14h 01m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 14h 24m | 14h 49m |
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
| ORD | KTM | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Chicago O'Hare International Airport | Tribhuvan International Airport |
| City | Chicago | Kathmandu |
| Country | United States | Nepal |
| ICAO | KORD | VNKT |
| Coordinates | 41.9786, -87.9048 | 27.6966, 85.3591 |
| Elevation | 680 ft | 4,390 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Chicago to Kathmandu?
A non-stop flight from Chicago (ORD) to Kathmandu (KTM) takes about 15h 37m. The great-circle distance is 12,237 km (7,604 miles, 6,607 nautical miles), flying north on an initial bearing of 6°.
How far is Chicago from Kathmandu?
12,237 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 7,604 miles or 6,607 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 ORD and KTM?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 12,237 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 15h 37m 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.