Melbourne to Beijing
11h 44m The flight from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) covers 9,112 km (5,662 miles) and takes approximately 11h 44m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north on an initial great-circle bearing of 339°, passing near 1.2° N, 131.0° 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 34m | 16h 59m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 11h 41m | 12h 06m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 10h 07m | 10h 33m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 10h 43m | 11h 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
| MEL | PEK | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Melbourne Airport | Beijing Capital International Airport |
| City | Melbourne | Beijing |
| Country | Australia | China |
| ICAO | YMML | ZBAA |
| Coordinates | -37.6707, 144.8379 | 40.0773, 116.5967 |
| Elevation | 434 ft | 116 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Melbourne to Beijing?
A non-stop flight from Melbourne (MEL) to Beijing (PEK) takes about 11h 44m. The great-circle distance is 9,112 km (5,662 miles, 4,920 nautical miles), flying north on an initial bearing of 339°.
How far is Melbourne from Beijing?
9,112 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 5,662 miles or 4,920 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 MEL and PEK?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 9,112 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 44m 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 Melbourne
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.