Los Angeles to Chennai
18h 21m The flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Chennai International Airport (MAA) covers 14,438 km (8,972 miles) and takes approximately 18h 21m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 336°, passing near 67.5° N, 134.7° 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 | 26h 15m | 26h 40m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 18h 31m | 18h 56m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 16h 03m | 16h 28m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 16h 59m | 17h 24m |
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 | MAA | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Los Angeles International Airport | Chennai International Airport |
| City | Los Angeles | Chennai |
| Country | United States | India |
| ICAO | KLAX | VOMM |
| Coordinates | 33.9425, -118.408 | 12.99, 80.1693 |
| Elevation | 125 ft | 52 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Chennai?
A non-stop flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Chennai (MAA) takes about 18h 21m. The great-circle distance is 14,438 km (8,972 miles, 7,796 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 336°.
How far is Los Angeles from Chennai?
14,438 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 8,972 miles or 7,796 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 MAA?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 14,438 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 18h 21m 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.