Seoul to Chicago
13h 31m The flight from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) covers 10,544 km (6,552 miles) and takes approximately 13h 31m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 25°, passing near 70.4° N, 166.4° 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 | 19h 10m | 19h 35m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 13h 31m | 13h 56m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 11h 43m | 12h 08m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 12h 24m | 12h 49m |
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
| ICN | MDW | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Incheon International Airport | Chicago Midway International Airport |
| City | Seoul | Chicago |
| Country | South Korea | United States |
| ICAO | RKSI | KMDW |
| Coordinates | 37.4691, 126.451 | 41.786, -87.7524 |
| Elevation | 23 ft | 620 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Seoul to Chicago?
A non-stop flight from Seoul (ICN) to Chicago (MDW) takes about 13h 31m. The great-circle distance is 10,544 km (6,552 miles, 5,693 nautical miles), flying north-east on an initial bearing of 25°.
How far is Seoul from Chicago?
10,544 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 6,552 miles or 5,693 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 ICN and MDW?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 10,544 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 31m 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.