Queenstown to Beijing
13h 50m The flight from Queenstown Airport (ZQN) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) covers 10,797 km (6,709 miles) and takes approximately 13h 50m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 322°, passing near 2.8° S, 141.6° 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 | 19h 38m | 20h 03m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 13h 51m | 14h 16m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 12h 00m | 12h 25m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 12h 42m | 13h 07m |
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
| ZQN | PEK | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Queenstown Airport | Beijing Capital International Airport |
| City | Queenstown | Beijing |
| Country | New Zealand | China |
| ICAO | NZQN | ZBAA |
| Coordinates | -45.0192, 168.7464 | 40.0773, 116.5967 |
| Elevation | 1,171 ft | 116 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Queenstown to Beijing?
A non-stop flight from Queenstown (ZQN) to Beijing (PEK) takes about 13h 50m. The great-circle distance is 10,797 km (6,709 miles, 5,830 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 322°.
How far is Queenstown from Beijing?
10,797 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 6,709 miles or 5,830 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 ZQN and PEK?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 10,797 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 13h 50m 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 Queenstown
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.