Sydney (Mascot) to Houston
17h 36m The flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) covers 13,836 km (8,597 miles) and takes approximately 17h 36m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads east on an initial great-circle bearing of 74°, passing near 3.6° S, 150.2° 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 | 25h 09m | 25h 35m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 17h 44m | 18h 09m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 15h 22m | 15h 48m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 16h 17m | 16h 42m |
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 | IAH | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport | George Bush Intercontinental Airport |
| City | Sydney (Mascot) | Houston |
| Country | Australia | United States |
| ICAO | YSSY | KIAH |
| Coordinates | -33.9461, 151.177 | 29.9844, -95.3414 |
| Elevation | 21 ft | 97 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Sydney (Mascot) to Houston?
A non-stop flight from Sydney (Mascot) (SYD) to Houston (IAH) takes about 17h 36m. The great-circle distance is 13,836 km (8,597 miles, 7,471 nautical miles), flying east on an initial bearing of 74°.
How far is Sydney (Mascot) from Houston?
13,836 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 8,597 miles or 7,471 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 IAH?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 13,836 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 17h 36m 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.