Istanbul to Seattle
12h 32m The flight from İstanbul Airport (IST) to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) covers 9,745 km (6,055 miles) and takes approximately 12h 32m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north on an initial great-circle bearing of 341°, passing near 75.4° N, 35.2° 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 43m | 18h 08m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 12h 30m | 12h 55m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 10h 50m | 11h 15m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 11h 28m | 11h 53m |
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
| IST | SEA | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | İstanbul Airport | Seattle–Tacoma International Airport |
| City | Istanbul | Seattle |
| Country | Turkey | United States |
| ICAO | LTFM | KSEA |
| Coordinates | 41.2749, 28.7321 | 47.4479, -122.3103 |
| Elevation | 325 ft | 433 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Istanbul to Seattle?
A non-stop flight from Istanbul (IST) to Seattle (SEA) takes about 12h 32m. The great-circle distance is 9,745 km (6,055 miles, 5,262 nautical miles), flying north on an initial bearing of 341°.
How far is Istanbul from Seattle?
9,745 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 6,055 miles or 5,262 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 IST and SEA?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 9,745 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 32m 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.