Shenzhen to Chicago
15h 56m The flight from Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) covers 12,491 km (7,761 miles) and takes approximately 15h 56m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north on an initial great-circle bearing of 17°, passing near 71.1° N, 163.6° 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 43m | 23h 08m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 16h 01m | 16h 26m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 13h 53m | 14h 18m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 14h 42m | 15h 07m |
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
| SZX | ORD | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport | Chicago O'Hare International Airport |
| City | Shenzhen | Chicago |
| Country | China | United States |
| ICAO | ZGSZ | KORD |
| Coordinates | 22.6395, 113.8033 | 41.9786, -87.9048 |
| Elevation | 13 ft | 680 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Shenzhen to Chicago?
A non-stop flight from Shenzhen (SZX) to Chicago (ORD) takes about 15h 56m. The great-circle distance is 12,491 km (7,761 miles, 6,745 nautical miles), flying north on an initial bearing of 17°.
How far is Shenzhen from Chicago?
12,491 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 7,761 miles or 6,745 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 SZX and ORD?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 12,491 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 56m 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 Shenzhen
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.