Los Angeles to Colombo
19h 07m The flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB) covers 15,053 km (9,353 miles) and takes approximately 19h 07m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 334°, passing near 64.2° N, 131.7° 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 | 27h 22m | 27h 47m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 19h 18m | 19h 43m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 16h 44m | 17h 09m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 17h 43m | 18h 08m |
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 | CMB | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Los Angeles International Airport | Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport |
| City | Los Angeles | Colombo |
| Country | United States | Sri Lanka |
| ICAO | KLAX | VCBI |
| Coordinates | 33.9425, -118.408 | 7.1808, 79.8841 |
| Elevation | 125 ft | 30 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Colombo?
A non-stop flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Colombo (CMB) takes about 19h 07m. The great-circle distance is 15,053 km (9,353 miles, 8,128 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 334°.
How far is Los Angeles from Colombo?
15,053 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 9,353 miles or 8,128 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 CMB?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 15,053 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 19h 07m 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.