Detroit to Seoul
13h 39m The flight from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Incheon International Airport (ICN) covers 10,654 km (6,620 miles) and takes approximately 13h 39m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 337°, passing near 72.7° N, 165.9° 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 22m | 19h 47m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 13h 40m | 14h 05m |
| 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 | ICN | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport | Incheon International Airport |
| City | Detroit | Seoul |
| Country | United States | South Korea |
| ICAO | KDTW | RKSI |
| Coordinates | 42.2138, -83.3538 | 37.4691, 126.451 |
| Elevation | 645 ft | 23 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Detroit to Seoul?
A non-stop flight from Detroit (DTW) to Seoul (ICN) takes about 13h 39m. The great-circle distance is 10,654 km (6,620 miles, 5,753 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 337°.
How far is Detroit from Seoul?
10,654 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 6,620 miles or 5,753 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 ICN?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 10,654 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.