San Diego to Dubai
17h 13m The flight from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Dubai International Airport (DXB) covers 13,520 km (8,401 miles) and takes approximately 17h 13m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north on an initial great-circle bearing of 8°, passing near 82.4° N, 1.8° 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 | 24h 35m | 25h 00m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 17h 20m | 17h 45m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 15h 01m | 15h 27m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 15h 54m | 16h 20m |
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 | DXB | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | San Diego International Airport | Dubai International Airport |
| City | San Diego | Dubai |
| Country | United States | United Arab Emirates |
| ICAO | KSAN | OMDB |
| Coordinates | 32.7336, -117.19 | 25.2498, 55.371 |
| Elevation | 17 ft | 62 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from San Diego to Dubai?
A non-stop flight from San Diego (SAN) to Dubai (DXB) takes about 17h 13m. The great-circle distance is 13,520 km (8,401 miles, 7,300 nautical miles), flying north on an initial bearing of 8°.
How far is San Diego from Dubai?
13,520 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 8,401 miles or 7,300 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 DXB?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 13,520 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 13m 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.