London to Christchurch
24h 00m The flight from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Christchurch International Airport (CHC) covers 18,984 km (11,796 miles) and takes approximately 24h 00m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 33°, passing near 35.6° N, 137.2° 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 | 34h 31m | 34h 56m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 24h 20m | 24h 46m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 21h 06m | 21h 31m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 22h 20m | 22h 45m |
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
| LHR | CHC | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | London Heathrow Airport | Christchurch International Airport |
| City | London | Christchurch |
| Country | United Kingdom | New Zealand |
| ICAO | EGLL | NZCH |
| Coordinates | 51.4707, -0.4599 | -43.489, 172.5321 |
| Elevation | 83 ft | 123 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from London to Christchurch?
A non-stop flight from London (LHR) to Christchurch (CHC) takes about 24h 00m. The great-circle distance is 18,984 km (11,796 miles, 10,251 nautical miles), flying north-east on an initial bearing of 33°.
How far is London from Christchurch?
18,984 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 11,796 miles or 10,251 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 LHR and CHC?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 18,984 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 24h 00m 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 London
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.