Detroit to Beijing
13h 39m The flight from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) covers 10,647 km (6,615 miles) and takes approximately 13h 39m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north on an initial great-circle bearing of 345°, passing near 78.7° N, 168.7° 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 21m | 19h 47m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 13h 39m | 14h 04m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 11h 50m | 12h 15m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 12h 32m | 12h 57m |
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
| DTW | PEK | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport | Beijing Capital International Airport |
| City | Detroit | Beijing |
| Country | United States | China |
| ICAO | KDTW | ZBAA |
| Coordinates | 42.2138, -83.3538 | 40.0773, 116.5967 |
| Elevation | 645 ft | 116 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Detroit to Beijing?
A non-stop flight from Detroit (DTW) to Beijing (PEK) takes about 13h 39m. The great-circle distance is 10,647 km (6,615 miles, 5,749 nautical miles), flying north on an initial bearing of 345°.
How far is Detroit from Beijing?
10,647 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 6,615 miles or 5,749 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 DTW and PEK?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 10,647 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 39m 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.