Chicago to Madrid
8h 48m The flight from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) covers 6,744 km (4,190 miles) and takes approximately 8h 48m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 60°, passing near 49.8° N, 45.1° 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 | 12h 16m | 12h 41m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 8h 39m | 9h 04m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 7h 30m | 7h 55m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 7h 56m | 8h 21m |
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 | MAD | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Chicago O'Hare International Airport | Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport |
| City | Chicago | Madrid |
| Country | United States | Spain |
| ICAO | KORD | LEMD |
| Coordinates | 41.9786, -87.9048 | 40.4934, -3.5722 |
| Elevation | 680 ft | 1,998 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Chicago to Madrid?
A non-stop flight from Chicago (ORD) to Madrid (MAD) takes about 8h 48m. The great-circle distance is 6,744 km (4,190 miles, 3,641 nautical miles), flying north-east on an initial bearing of 60°.
How far is Chicago from Madrid?
6,744 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 4,190 miles or 3,641 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 MAD?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 6,744 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 8h 48m 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.