Sydney (Mascot) to Cape Town
14h 04m The flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) covers 10,989 km (6,828 miles) and takes approximately 14h 04m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads south-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 218°, passing near 59.2° S, 84.9° 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 | 19h 59m | 20h 24m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 14h 05m | 14h 30m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 12h 13m | 12h 38m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 12h 56m | 13h 21m |
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
| SYD | CPT | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport | Cape Town International Airport |
| City | Sydney (Mascot) | Cape Town |
| Country | Australia | South Africa |
| ICAO | YSSY | FACT |
| Coordinates | -33.9461, 151.177 | -33.974, 18.6043 |
| Elevation | 21 ft | 151 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Sydney (Mascot) to Cape Town?
A non-stop flight from Sydney (Mascot) (SYD) to Cape Town (CPT) takes about 14h 04m. The great-circle distance is 10,989 km (6,828 miles, 5,933 nautical miles), flying south-west on an initial bearing of 218°.
How far is Sydney (Mascot) from Cape Town?
10,989 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 6,828 miles or 5,933 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 SYD and CPT?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 10,989 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 14h 04m 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 Sydney (Mascot)
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.