London to Johannesburg Flight Distance
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to OR Tambo International Airport (JNB)
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 5,620 miles, this long-haul flight will take approximately 11h 28m. Plan for a substantial flight with meals, entertainment, and rest time.
Time Adjustment: Johannesburg is 1 hour ahead of London. You should experience minimal jet lag.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 1357 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs—planting 123 trees could offset this flight.
Flight Options: 6 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 5,620 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 9,045 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 4,884 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 11h 28m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | LONG HAUL | Long-haul flight (4,000 - 12,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 154° SSE | South-Southeast |
| Cruising Altitude | 41,000 ft | FL410 (12,497 m) |
| Time Difference | +1h | Jet lag: none |
| CO2 (Economy) | 1357 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 3935 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 5427 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 123 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 271 L | ~48,780 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 6 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
London Heathrow Airport
London, United Kingdom
OR Tambo International Airport
Johannesburg, South Africa
Airlines Flying This Route
6 airlines operate flights between London and Johannesburg.
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 | 5,620 mi |
| Kilometers | 9,045 km |
| Nautical Miles | 4,884 nm |
| Meters | 9,045,000 m |
| Feet | 29,673,600 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 11h 28m |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 9,045 km between London and Johannesburg at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 11h 28m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 18h 5m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 28h 16m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 90h 27m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 1,809h (75 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 7h 19m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is London from Johannesburg?
The flight distance from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) is 5,620 miles (9,045 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 11h 28m. This is a long-haul flight typically cruising at 41,000 feet (FL410).
What is the time difference?
Johannesburg is 1 hour ahead of London.
What airlines fly this route?
6 airlines operate this route: American Airlines, British Airways, South African Airways and 3 more.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 1357 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 3935 kg. First class: 5427 kg. Offset with ~123 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this South-Southeast flight, the left side offers the best views away from sun glare. Consider an aisle seat for easier movement on this long flight.
Can I drive from London to Johannesburg instead of flying?
Driving is not practical for this 9,045 km distance, especially across international borders. It would theoretically take over 113 hours of driving. Flying at 11h 28m 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 1357 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 123 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.