Nairobi to Beijing
11h 53m The flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) covers 9,226 km (5,733 miles) and takes approximately 11h 53m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 49°, passing near 24.5° N, 70.4° 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 46m | 17h 12m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 11h 50m | 12h 15m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 10h 15m | 10h 40m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 10h 51m | 11h 16m |
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
| NBO | PEK | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Jomo Kenyatta International Airport | Beijing Capital International Airport |
| City | Nairobi | Beijing |
| Country | Kenya | China |
| ICAO | HKJK | ZBAA |
| Coordinates | -1.3189, 36.9282 | 40.0773, 116.5967 |
| Elevation | 5,330 ft | 116 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Nairobi to Beijing?
A non-stop flight from Nairobi (NBO) to Beijing (PEK) takes about 11h 53m. The great-circle distance is 9,226 km (5,733 miles, 4,982 nautical miles), flying north-east on an initial bearing of 49°.
How far is Nairobi from Beijing?
9,226 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 5,733 miles or 4,982 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 NBO and PEK?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 9,226 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 53m 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.