London to Nanjing
11h 39m The flight from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) covers 9,035 km (5,614 miles) and takes approximately 11h 39m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 49°, passing near 59.5° N, 74.0° 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 26m | 16h 51m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 11h 35m | 12h 00m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 10h 02m | 10h 28m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 10h 38m | 11h 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
| LHR | NKG | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | London Heathrow Airport | Nanjing Lukou International Airport |
| City | London | Nanjing |
| Country | United Kingdom | China |
| ICAO | EGLL | ZSNJ |
| Coordinates | 51.4707, -0.4599 | 31.735, 118.8659 |
| Elevation | 83 ft | 49 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from London to Nanjing?
A non-stop flight from London (LHR) to Nanjing (NKG) takes about 11h 39m. The great-circle distance is 9,035 km (5,614 miles, 4,879 nautical miles), flying north-east on an initial bearing of 49°.
How far is London from Nanjing?
9,035 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 5,614 miles or 4,879 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 NKG?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 9,035 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 39m 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.