Johannesburg to Chicago
17h 50m The flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) covers 14,019 km (8,711 miles) and takes approximately 17h 50m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 304°, passing near 14.6° N, 21.2° 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 | 25h 29m | 25h 55m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 17h 58m | 18h 24m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 15h 35m | 16h 00m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 16h 30m | 16h 55m |
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
| JNB | ORD | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | O.R. Tambo International Airport | Chicago O'Hare International Airport |
| City | Johannesburg | Chicago |
| Country | South Africa | United States |
| ICAO | FAOR | KORD |
| Coordinates | -26.1401, 28.2468 | 41.9786, -87.9048 |
| Elevation | 5,558 ft | 680 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Johannesburg to Chicago?
A non-stop flight from Johannesburg (JNB) to Chicago (ORD) takes about 17h 50m. The great-circle distance is 14,019 km (8,711 miles, 7,569 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 304°.
How far is Johannesburg from Chicago?
14,019 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 8,711 miles or 7,569 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 JNB and ORD?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 14,019 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 17h 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 Johannesburg
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.