Sydney (Mascot) to Chicago
18h 53m The flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) covers 14,862 km (9,235 miles) and takes approximately 18h 53m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 62°, passing near 8.1° N, 153.9° 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 | 27h 01m | 27h 27m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 19h 03m | 19h 28m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 16h 31m | 16h 56m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 17h 29m | 17h 54m |
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 | ORD | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport | Chicago O'Hare International Airport |
| City | Sydney (Mascot) | Chicago |
| Country | Australia | United States |
| ICAO | YSSY | KORD |
| Coordinates | -33.9461, 151.177 | 41.9786, -87.9048 |
| Elevation | 21 ft | 680 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Sydney (Mascot) to Chicago?
A non-stop flight from Sydney (Mascot) (SYD) to Chicago (ORD) takes about 18h 53m. The great-circle distance is 14,862 km (9,235 miles, 8,025 nautical miles), flying north-east on an initial bearing of 62°.
How far is Sydney (Mascot) from Chicago?
14,862 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 9,235 miles or 8,025 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 ORD?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 14,862 km the route is at the extreme end of what any airliner can fly non-stop, so a connection is likely. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
What should I expect on a 18h 53m 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.