New York to San Francisco Flight Distance
John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
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
Loading globe...
Your Route Summary
What This Means For Your Trip
Flight Duration: At 2,586 miles, this long-haul flight will take approximately 5h 44m. Plan for a substantial flight with meals, entertainment, and rest time.
Time Adjustment: San Francisco is 3 hours behind New York. Expect mild jet lag with 1-2 days to fully adjust.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 624 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs—planting 57 trees could offset this flight.
Flight Options: 7 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 2,586 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 4,162 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 2,247 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 5h 44m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | LONG HAUL | Long-haul flight (4,000 - 12,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 282° WNW | West-Northwest |
| Cruising Altitude | 39,000 ft | FL390 (11,887 m) |
| Time Difference | -3h | Jet lag: mild |
| CO2 (Economy) | 624 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 1810 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 2497 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 57 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 125 L | ~22,500 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 7 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
John F Kennedy International Airport
New York, United States
San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco, United States
Airlines Flying This Route
7 airlines operate flights between New York and San Francisco.
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
- Adjust sleep schedule 1-2 hours before departure
- Stay hydrated during the flight
- Get sunlight exposure at destination
Seat Recommendations
Distance in Perspective
Distance & Speed Reference
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Statute Miles | 2,586 mi |
| Kilometers | 4,162 km |
| Nautical Miles | 2,247 nm |
| Meters | 4,162,000 m |
| Feet | 13,654,080 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 5h 44m |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 4,162 km between New York and San Francisco at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 5h 44m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 8h 19m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 13h 0m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 41h 37m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 832h (35 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 3h 22m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from JFK
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is New York from San Francisco?
The flight distance from John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is 2,586 miles (4,162 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 5h 44m. This is a long-haul flight typically cruising at 39,000 feet (FL390).
What is the time difference?
San Francisco is 3 hours behind New York. Expect mild jet lag with ~2 days recovery time.
What airlines fly this route?
7 airlines operate this route: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and 4 more.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 624 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 1810 kg. First class: 2497 kg. Offset with ~57 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this West-Northwest flight, the right side offers the best views away from sun glare.
Can I drive from New York to San Francisco instead of flying?
Driving is not practical for this 4,162 km distance. It would theoretically take over 52 hours of driving. Flying at 5h 44m 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 624 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 57 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.