Los Angeles to Nanjing
13h 33m The flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) covers 10,567 km (6,566 miles) and takes approximately 13h 33m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 314°, passing near 53.4° N, 178.9° 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 | 19h 13m | 19h 38m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 13h 33m | 13h 58m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 11h 44m | 12h 10m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 12h 26m | 12h 51m |
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 | NKG | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Los Angeles International Airport | Nanjing Lukou International Airport |
| City | Los Angeles | Nanjing |
| Country | United States | China |
| ICAO | KLAX | ZSNJ |
| Coordinates | 33.9425, -118.408 | 31.735, 118.8659 |
| Elevation | 125 ft | 49 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Nanjing?
A non-stop flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Nanjing (NKG) takes about 13h 33m. The great-circle distance is 10,567 km (6,566 miles, 5,706 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 314°.
How far is Los Angeles from Nanjing?
10,567 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 6,566 miles or 5,706 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 NKG?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 10,567 km the route is within reach of long-range widebodies, though not every city pair is served non-stop. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
What should I expect on a 13h 33m 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.