London to Sydney (Mascot)
21h 34m The flight from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) covers 17,021 km (10,576 miles) and takes approximately 21h 34m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 60°, passing near 28.7° N, 104.7° 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 | 30h 57m | 31h 22m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 21h 49m | 22h 14m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 18h 55m | 19h 20m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 20h 01m | 20h 27m |
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 | SYD | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | London Heathrow Airport | Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport |
| City | London | Sydney (Mascot) |
| Country | United Kingdom | Australia |
| ICAO | EGLL | YSSY |
| Coordinates | 51.4707, -0.4599 | -33.9461, 151.177 |
| Elevation | 83 ft | 21 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from London to Sydney (Mascot)?
A non-stop flight from London (LHR) to Sydney (Mascot) (SYD) takes about 21h 34m. The great-circle distance is 17,021 km (10,576 miles, 9,190 nautical miles), flying north-east on an initial bearing of 60°.
How far is London from Sydney (Mascot)?
17,021 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 10,576 miles or 9,190 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 SYD?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 17,021 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 21h 34m 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.