Nairobi to Sydney (Mascot)
15h 30m The flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) covers 12,135 km (7,540 miles) and takes approximately 15h 30m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads south-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 127°, passing near 30.1° S, 85.9° 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 | 22h 04m | 22h 29m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 15h 33m | 15h 59m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 13h 29m | 13h 54m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 14h 17m | 14h 42m |
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 | SYD | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Jomo Kenyatta International Airport | Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport |
| City | Nairobi | Sydney (Mascot) |
| Country | Kenya | Australia |
| ICAO | HKJK | YSSY |
| Coordinates | -1.3189, 36.9282 | -33.9461, 151.177 |
| Elevation | 5,330 ft | 21 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Nairobi to Sydney (Mascot)?
A non-stop flight from Nairobi (NBO) to Sydney (Mascot) (SYD) takes about 15h 30m. The great-circle distance is 12,135 km (7,540 miles, 6,552 nautical miles), flying south-east on an initial bearing of 127°.
How far is Nairobi from Sydney (Mascot)?
12,135 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 7,540 miles or 6,552 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 SYD?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 12,135 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 15h 30m 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 Nairobi
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.