Johannesburg to Los Angeles
21h 10m The flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) covers 16,706 km (10,381 miles) and takes approximately 21h 10m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 293°, passing near 13.3° N, 37.6° 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 | 30h 23m | 30h 48m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 21h 25m | 21h 50m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 18h 34m | 18h 59m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 19h 39m | 20h 04m |
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 | LAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | O.R. Tambo International Airport | Los Angeles International Airport |
| City | Johannesburg | Los Angeles |
| Country | South Africa | United States |
| ICAO | FAOR | KLAX |
| Coordinates | -26.1401, 28.2468 | 33.9425, -118.408 |
| Elevation | 5,558 ft | 125 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Johannesburg to Los Angeles?
A non-stop flight from Johannesburg (JNB) to Los Angeles (LAX) takes about 21h 10m. The great-circle distance is 16,706 km (10,381 miles, 9,021 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 293°.
How far is Johannesburg from Los Angeles?
16,706 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 10,381 miles or 9,021 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 LAX?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 16,706 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 21h 10m 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.