San Diego to Sydney (Mascot)
15h 27m The flight from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) covers 12,095 km (7,516 miles) and takes approximately 15h 27m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads south-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 241°, passing near 0.9° S, 162.6° 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 | 21h 59m | 22h 25m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 15h 30m | 15h 56m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 13h 26m | 13h 52m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 14h 14m | 14h 39m |
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 | SYD | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | San Diego International Airport | Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport |
| City | San Diego | Sydney (Mascot) |
| Country | United States | Australia |
| ICAO | KSAN | YSSY |
| Coordinates | 32.7336, -117.19 | -33.9461, 151.177 |
| Elevation | 17 ft | 21 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from San Diego to Sydney (Mascot)?
A non-stop flight from San Diego (SAN) to Sydney (Mascot) (SYD) takes about 15h 27m. The great-circle distance is 12,095 km (7,516 miles, 6,531 nautical miles), flying south-west on an initial bearing of 241°.
How far is San Diego from Sydney (Mascot)?
12,095 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 7,516 miles or 6,531 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 SYD?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 12,095 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 27m 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.