Madrid to Beijing
11h 51m The flight from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) covers 9,205 km (5,720 miles) and takes approximately 11h 51m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 42°, passing near 59.5° N, 56.8° 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 | 16h 44m | 17h 09m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 11h 48m | 12h 13m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 10h 14m | 10h 39m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 10h 50m | 11h 15m |
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
| MAD | PEK | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport | Beijing Capital International Airport |
| City | Madrid | Beijing |
| Country | Spain | China |
| ICAO | LEMD | ZBAA |
| Coordinates | 40.4934, -3.5722 | 40.0773, 116.5967 |
| Elevation | 1,998 ft | 116 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Madrid to Beijing?
A non-stop flight from Madrid (MAD) to Beijing (PEK) takes about 11h 51m. The great-circle distance is 9,205 km (5,720 miles, 4,970 nautical miles), flying north-east on an initial bearing of 42°.
How far is Madrid from Beijing?
9,205 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 5,720 miles or 4,970 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 MAD and PEK?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 9,205 km the route is comfortably within range of a non-stop service if an airline chooses to fly it. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
What should I expect on a 11h 51m 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.
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.