San Diego to Beijing
13h 06m The flight from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) covers 10,212 km (6,346 miles) and takes approximately 13h 06m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 322°, passing near 58.4° N, 175.0° 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 | 18h 34m | 18h 59m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 13h 06m | 13h 31m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 11h 21m | 11h 46m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 12h 01m | 12h 26m |
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
| SAN | PEK | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | San Diego International Airport | Beijing Capital International Airport |
| City | San Diego | Beijing |
| Country | United States | China |
| ICAO | KSAN | ZBAA |
| Coordinates | 32.7336, -117.19 | 40.0773, 116.5967 |
| Elevation | 17 ft | 116 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from San Diego to Beijing?
A non-stop flight from San Diego (SAN) to Beijing (PEK) takes about 13h 06m. The great-circle distance is 10,212 km (6,346 miles, 5,514 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 322°.
How far is San Diego from Beijing?
10,212 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 6,346 miles or 5,514 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 SAN and PEK?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 10,212 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 06m 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 San Diego
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.