New York to San Francisco
5h 35m The flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) covers 4,152 km (2,580 miles) and takes approximately 5h 35m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads west on an initial great-circle bearing of 282°, passing near 41.8° N, 98.6° W 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 | 7h 33m | 7h 58m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 5h 19m | 5h 45m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 4h 37m | 5h 02m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 4h 53m | 5h 18m |
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 | SFO | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | John F. Kennedy International Airport | San Francisco International Airport |
| City | New York | San Francisco |
| Country | United States | United States |
| ICAO | KJFK | KSFO |
| Coordinates | 40.6394, -73.7793 | 37.6198, -122.3748 |
| Elevation | 13 ft | 13 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from New York to San Francisco?
A non-stop flight from New York (JFK) to San Francisco (SFO) takes about 5h 35m. The great-circle distance is 4,152 km (2,580 miles, 2,242 nautical miles), flying west on an initial bearing of 282°.
How far is New York from San Francisco?
4,152 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 2,580 miles or 2,242 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 SFO?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 4,152 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.
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.