Los Angeles to Cape Town
20h 24m The flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) covers 16,080 km (9,992 miles) and takes approximately 20h 24m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads east on an initial great-circle bearing of 102°, passing near 0.0° S, 49.9° W 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 | 29h 14m | 29h 39m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 20h 37m | 21h 02m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 17h 52m | 18h 17m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 18h 55m | 19h 20m |
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
| LAX | CPT | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Los Angeles International Airport | Cape Town International Airport |
| City | Los Angeles | Cape Town |
| Country | United States | South Africa |
| ICAO | KLAX | FACT |
| Coordinates | 33.9425, -118.408 | -33.974, 18.6043 |
| Elevation | 125 ft | 151 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Cape Town?
A non-stop flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Cape Town (CPT) takes about 20h 24m. The great-circle distance is 16,080 km (9,992 miles, 8,683 nautical miles), flying east on an initial bearing of 102°.
How far is Los Angeles from Cape Town?
16,080 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 9,992 miles or 8,683 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 LAX and CPT?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 16,080 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 20h 24m 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 Los Angeles
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.