Hong Kong to Sofia
10h 50m The flight from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to Sofia Airport (SOF) covers 8,388 km (5,212 miles) and takes approximately 10h 50m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 311°, passing near 42.0° N, 75.3° E 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 | 15h 15m | 15h 40m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 10h 45m | 11h 10m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 9h 19m | 9h 44m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 9h 52m | 10h 17m |
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
| HKG | SOF | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Hong Kong International Airport | Sofia Airport |
| City | Hong Kong | Sofia |
| Country | Hong Kong | Bulgaria |
| ICAO | VHHH | LBSF |
| Coordinates | 22.3118, 113.9149 | 42.6964, 23.4177 |
| Elevation | 28 ft | 1,742 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Hong Kong to Sofia?
A non-stop flight from Hong Kong (HKG) to Sofia (SOF) takes about 10h 50m. The great-circle distance is 8,388 km (5,212 miles, 4,529 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 311°.
How far is Hong Kong from Sofia?
8,388 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 5,212 miles or 4,529 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 HKG and SOF?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 8,388 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 10h 50m 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.
Other routes from Hong Kong
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.