Santiago to Chicago
11h 03m The flight from Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) covers 8,561 km (5,320 miles) and takes approximately 11h 03m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north on an initial great-circle bearing of 347°, passing near 4.3° N, 78.8° 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 | 15h 34m | 15h 59m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 10h 59m | 11h 24m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 9h 31m | 9h 56m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 10h 04m | 10h 30m |
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
| SCL | ORD | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport | Chicago O'Hare International Airport |
| City | Santiago | Chicago |
| Country | Chile | United States |
| ICAO | SCEL | KORD |
| Coordinates | -33.393, -70.7858 | 41.9786, -87.9048 |
| Elevation | 1,555 ft | 680 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Santiago to Chicago?
A non-stop flight from Santiago (SCL) to Chicago (ORD) takes about 11h 03m. The great-circle distance is 8,561 km (5,320 miles, 4,623 nautical miles), flying north on an initial bearing of 347°.
How far is Santiago from Chicago?
8,561 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 5,320 miles or 4,623 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 SCL and ORD?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 8,561 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.
What should I expect on a 11h 03m 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 Santiago
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.