London to Johannesburg
11h 42m The flight from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) covers 9,075 km (5,639 miles) and takes approximately 11h 42m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads south-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 154°, passing near 13.0° N, 16.5° 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 | 16h 30m | 16h 55m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 11h 38m | 12h 03m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 10h 05m | 10h 30m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 10h 41m | 11h 06m |
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 | JNB | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | London Heathrow Airport | O.R. Tambo International Airport |
| City | London | Johannesburg |
| Country | United Kingdom | South Africa |
| ICAO | EGLL | FAOR |
| Coordinates | 51.4707, -0.4599 | -26.1401, 28.2468 |
| Elevation | 83 ft | 5,558 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from London to Johannesburg?
A non-stop flight from London (LHR) to Johannesburg (JNB) takes about 11h 42m. The great-circle distance is 9,075 km (5,639 miles, 4,900 nautical miles), flying south-east on an initial bearing of 154°.
How far is London from Johannesburg?
9,075 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 5,639 miles or 4,900 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 JNB?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 9,075 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 11h 42m 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.