London to Shanghai (Minhang)
11h 52m The flight from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) covers 9,212 km (5,724 miles) and takes approximately 11h 52m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 47°, passing near 60.1° N, 76.2° 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 | 16h 45m | 17h 10m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 11h 49m | 12h 14m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 10h 14m | 10h 39m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 10h 50m | 11h 15m |
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 | SHA | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | London Heathrow Airport | Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport |
| City | London | Shanghai (Minhang) |
| Country | United Kingdom | China |
| ICAO | EGLL | ZSSS |
| Coordinates | 51.4707, -0.4599 | 31.1981, 121.3343 |
| Elevation | 83 ft | 10 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from London to Shanghai (Minhang)?
A non-stop flight from London (LHR) to Shanghai (Minhang) (SHA) takes about 11h 52m. The great-circle distance is 9,212 km (5,724 miles, 4,974 nautical miles), flying north-east on an initial bearing of 47°.
How far is London from Shanghai (Minhang)?
9,212 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 5,724 miles or 4,974 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 SHA?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 9,212 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 52m 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.