Lagos to Cape Town
6h 22m The flight from Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) covers 4,788 km (2,975 miles) and takes approximately 6h 22m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads south on an initial great-circle bearing of 161°, passing near 13.8° S, 10.3° 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 | 8h 42m | 9h 07m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 6h 08m | 6h 33m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 5h 19m | 5h 44m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 5h 38m | 6h 03m |
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
| LOS | CPT | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Murtala Muhammed International Airport | Cape Town International Airport |
| City | Lagos | Cape Town |
| Country | Nigeria | South Africa |
| ICAO | DNMM | FACT |
| Coordinates | 6.5774, 3.3212 | -33.974, 18.6043 |
| Elevation | 135 ft | 151 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Lagos to Cape Town?
A non-stop flight from Lagos (LOS) to Cape Town (CPT) takes about 6h 22m. The great-circle distance is 4,788 km (2,975 miles, 2,585 nautical miles), flying south on an initial bearing of 161°.
How far is Lagos from Cape Town?
4,788 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 2,975 miles or 2,585 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 LOS and CPT?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 4,788 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 6h 22m 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.