New York to Nanjing
15h 09m The flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) covers 11,863 km (7,371 miles) and takes approximately 15h 09m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north on an initial great-circle bearing of 349°, passing near 80.4° N, 175.3° 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 | 21h 34m | 21h 59m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 15h 13m | 15h 38m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 13h 11m | 13h 36m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 13h 57m | 14h 23m |
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
| JFK | NKG | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | John F. Kennedy International Airport | Nanjing Lukou International Airport |
| City | New York | Nanjing |
| Country | United States | China |
| ICAO | KJFK | ZSNJ |
| Coordinates | 40.6394, -73.7793 | 31.735, 118.8659 |
| Elevation | 13 ft | 49 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from New York to Nanjing?
A non-stop flight from New York (JFK) to Nanjing (NKG) takes about 15h 09m. The great-circle distance is 11,863 km (7,371 miles, 6,406 nautical miles), flying north on an initial bearing of 349°.
How far is New York from Nanjing?
11,863 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 7,371 miles or 6,406 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 JFK and NKG?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 11,863 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 09m 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.