Colombo to Sydney (Mascot)
11h 18m The flight from Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB) to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) covers 8,763 km (5,445 miles) and takes approximately 11h 18m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads south-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 127°, passing near 16.3° S, 111.9° 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 | 15h 56m | 16h 21m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 11h 14m | 11h 39m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 9h 44m | 10h 09m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 10h 19m | 10h 44m |
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
| CMB | SYD | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport | Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport |
| City | Colombo | Sydney (Mascot) |
| Country | Sri Lanka | Australia |
| ICAO | VCBI | YSSY |
| Coordinates | 7.1808, 79.8841 | -33.9461, 151.177 |
| Elevation | 30 ft | 21 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Colombo to Sydney (Mascot)?
A non-stop flight from Colombo (CMB) to Sydney (Mascot) (SYD) takes about 11h 18m. The great-circle distance is 8,763 km (5,445 miles, 4,731 nautical miles), flying south-east on an initial bearing of 127°.
How far is Colombo from Sydney (Mascot)?
8,763 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 5,445 miles or 4,731 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 CMB and SYD?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 8,763 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 11h 18m 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.