Cape Town to Dubai Flight Distance
Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Primary sources · 6
- [1] Vincenty (1975) — Direct and Inverse Solutions of Geodesics on the Ellipsoid — the iterative formula used for distance · Survey Review XXIII (176), pp. 88–93 · April 1975 https://www.ngs.noaa.gov/PUBS_LIB/inverse.pdf
- [2] NGA.STND.0036_1.0.0_WGS84 — WGS-84 reference ellipsoid (a = 6,378,137 m, 1/f = 298.257223563) · NGA Standard · July 2014 https://earth-info.nga.mil/index.php?dir=wgs84&action=wgs84
- [3] DESNZ 2024 conversion factors — Per-km kg CO₂e factors for the three distance bands and four cabin classes · UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero · June 2024 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-conversion-factors-2024
- [4] Lee et al. (2021) — Effective radiative forcing of aviation — the science behind the 1.9 × CO₂ → CO₂e uplift · Atmospheric Environment 244, 117834 · January 2021 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.117834
- [5] OpenFlights — Airport coordinates and IATA codes · openflights.org/data.php · Community-maintained https://openflights.org/data.php
- [6] Sack (2010) — Jet-lag review — clinical chronobiology and asymmetric recovery rates · New England Journal of Medicine 362:440 · February 2010 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp0909838
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Your Route Summary
What This Means For Your Trip
Flight Duration: At 4,735 miles, this long-haul flight will take approximately 9h 48m. Plan for a substantial flight with meals, entertainment, and rest time.
Time Adjustment: Dubai is 2 hours ahead of Cape Town. You should experience minimal jet lag.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 1143 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs—planting 104 trees could offset this flight.
Flight Options: 2 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 4,735 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 7,620 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 4,114 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 9h 48m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | LONG HAUL | Long-haul flight (4,000 - 12,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 36° NE | Northeast |
| Cruising Altitude | 39,000 ft | FL390 (11,887 m) |
| Time Difference | +2h | Jet lag: none |
| CO2 (Economy) | 1143 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 3315 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 4572 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 104 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 229 L | ~41,220 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 2 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
Cape Town International Airport
Cape Town, South Africa
Dubai International Airport
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Airlines Flying This Route
2 airlines operate flights between Cape Town and Dubai.
Flight Details
Flight Midpoint
The geographic midpoint of this flight is located at:
Carbon Emissions by Cabin Class
CO2 emissions vary by cabin class due to seat space allocation. Based on DEFRA 2024 emission factors.
Jet Lag & Travel Tips
- Minimal time difference - jet lag unlikely
Seat Recommendations
Distance in Perspective
Distance & Speed Reference
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Statute Miles | 4,735 mi |
| Kilometers | 7,620 km |
| Nautical Miles | 4,114 nm |
| Meters | 7,620,000 m |
| Feet | 25,000,800 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 9h 48m |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 7,620 km between Cape Town and Dubai at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 9h 48m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 15h 14m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 23h 49m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 76h 12m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 1,524h (64 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 6h 10m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from CPT
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is Cape Town from Dubai?
The flight distance from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Dubai International Airport (DXB) is 4,735 miles (7,620 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 9h 48m. This is a long-haul flight typically cruising at 39,000 feet (FL390).
What is the time difference?
Dubai is 2 hours ahead of Cape Town.
What airlines fly this route?
2 airlines operate this route: Emirates, South African Airways.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 1143 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 3315 kg. First class: 4572 kg. Offset with ~104 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this Northeast flight, the right side offers the best views away from sun glare. Consider an aisle seat for easier movement on this long flight.
Can I drive from Cape Town to Dubai instead of flying?
Driving is not practical for this 7,620 km distance, especially across international borders. It would theoretically take over 95 hours of driving. Flying at 9h 48m is the recommended option.
What aircraft typically fly this route?
This long-haul route is typically served by Boeing 777, Airbus A350, Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Wide-body aircraft are standard for this distance, offering more comfort for the longer journey.
How can I offset the carbon from this flight?
An economy class seat on this route produces 1143 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 104 trees, purchasing verified carbon credits through programs like Gold Standard or Verra, or supporting renewable energy projects. Many airlines also offer built-in carbon offset options during booking.
External Resources & References
Learn more about the airports, aviation data, and carbon emissions methodology used in this calculation.