Seoul to Durban
15h 48m The flight from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to King Shaka International Airport (DUR) covers 12,386 km (7,696 miles) and takes approximately 15h 48m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads west on an initial great-circle bearing of 248°, passing near 5.8° N, 75.9° E 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 | 22h 31m | 22h 56m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 15h 53m | 16h 18m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 13h 46m | 14h 11m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 14h 34m | 15h 00m |
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 | DUR | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Incheon International Airport | King Shaka International Airport |
| City | Seoul | Durban |
| Country | South Korea | South Africa |
| ICAO | RKSI | FALE |
| Coordinates | 37.4691, 126.451 | -29.6144, 31.1197 |
| Elevation | 23 ft | 295 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Seoul to Durban?
A non-stop flight from Seoul (ICN) to Durban (DUR) takes about 15h 48m. The great-circle distance is 12,386 km (7,696 miles, 6,688 nautical miles), flying west on an initial bearing of 248°.
How far is Seoul from Durban?
12,386 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 7,696 miles or 6,688 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 DUR?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 12,386 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 48m 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.