Durban to Los Angeles
21h 40m The flight from King Shaka International Airport (DUR) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) covers 17,106 km (10,629 miles) and takes approximately 21h 40m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads west on an initial great-circle bearing of 287°, passing near 8.2° N, 38.7° 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 | 31h 06m | 31h 31m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 21h 56m | 22h 21m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 19h 00m | 19h 26m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 20h 07m | 20h 33m |
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
| DUR | LAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | King Shaka International Airport | Los Angeles International Airport |
| City | Durban | Los Angeles |
| Country | South Africa | United States |
| ICAO | FALE | KLAX |
| Coordinates | -29.6144, 31.1197 | 33.9425, -118.408 |
| Elevation | 295 ft | 125 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Durban to Los Angeles?
A non-stop flight from Durban (DUR) to Los Angeles (LAX) takes about 21h 40m. The great-circle distance is 17,106 km (10,629 miles, 9,236 nautical miles), flying west on an initial bearing of 287°.
How far is Durban from Los Angeles?
17,106 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 10,629 miles or 9,236 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 DUR and LAX?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 17,106 km the route is at the extreme end of what any airliner can fly non-stop, so a connection is likely. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
What should I expect on a 21h 40m 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.