Durban to New York
16h 55m The flight from King Shaka International Airport (DUR) to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) covers 13,281 km (8,252 miles) and takes approximately 16h 55m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 303°, passing near 9.0° N, 16.3° 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 | 24h 09m | 24h 34m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 17h 02m | 17h 27m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 14h 45m | 15h 11m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 15h 37m | 16h 03m |
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 | JFK | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | King Shaka International Airport | John F. Kennedy International Airport |
| City | Durban | New York |
| Country | South Africa | United States |
| ICAO | FALE | KJFK |
| Coordinates | -29.6144, 31.1197 | 40.6394, -73.7793 |
| Elevation | 295 ft | 13 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Durban to New York?
A non-stop flight from Durban (DUR) to New York (JFK) takes about 16h 55m. The great-circle distance is 13,281 km (8,252 miles, 7,171 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 303°.
How far is Durban from New York?
13,281 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 8,252 miles or 7,171 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 JFK?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 13,281 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 16h 55m 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.