Narita to Johannesburg
17h 18m The flight from Narita International Airport (NRT) to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) covers 13,582 km (8,439 miles) and takes approximately 17h 18m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads west on an initial great-circle bearing of 259°, passing near 8.6° N, 80.0° 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 | 24h 42m | 25h 07m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 17h 25m | 17h 50m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 15h 05m | 15h 31m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 15h 59m | 16h 24m |
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
| NRT | JNB | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Narita International Airport | O.R. Tambo International Airport |
| City | Narita | Johannesburg |
| Country | Japan | South Africa |
| ICAO | RJAA | FAOR |
| Coordinates | 35.7686, 140.3887 | -26.1401, 28.2468 |
| Elevation | 141 ft | 5,558 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Narita to Johannesburg?
A non-stop flight from Narita (NRT) to Johannesburg (JNB) takes about 17h 18m. The great-circle distance is 13,582 km (8,439 miles, 7,334 nautical miles), flying west on an initial bearing of 259°.
How far is Narita from Johannesburg?
13,582 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 8,439 miles or 7,334 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 NRT and JNB?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 13,582 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 17h 18m 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.