Geneva to Los Angeles
12h 14m The flight from Geneva International Airport (GVA) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) covers 9,509 km (5,909 miles) and takes approximately 12h 14m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 317°, passing near 60.7° N, 65.9° 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 | 17h 17m | 17h 43m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 12h 11m | 12h 37m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 10h 34m | 10h 59m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 11h 11m | 11h 36m |
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
| GVA | LAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Geneva International Airport | Los Angeles International Airport |
| City | Geneva | Los Angeles |
| Country | Switzerland | United States |
| ICAO | LSGG | KLAX |
| Coordinates | 46.2381, 6.109 | 33.9425, -118.408 |
| Elevation | 1,411 ft | 125 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Geneva to Los Angeles?
A non-stop flight from Geneva (GVA) to Los Angeles (LAX) takes about 12h 14m. The great-circle distance is 9,509 km (5,909 miles, 5,135 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 317°.
How far is Geneva from Los Angeles?
9,509 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 5,909 miles or 5,135 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 GVA and LAX?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 9,509 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 12h 14m 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.