Chicago to London Flight Distance
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
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 3,953 miles, this long-haul flight will take approximately 8h 19m. Plan for a substantial flight with meals, entertainment, and rest time.
Time Adjustment: London is 6 hours ahead of Chicago. Plan for moderate jet lag—give yourself 5 days to adjust before important activities.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 954 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs—planting 87 trees could offset this flight.
Flight Options: 9 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 3,953 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 6,361 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 3,435 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 8h 19m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | LONG HAUL | Long-haul flight (4,000 - 12,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 48° NE | Northeast |
| Cruising Altitude | 39,000 ft | FL390 (11,887 m) |
| Time Difference | +6h | Jet lag: moderate |
| CO2 (Economy) | 954 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 2767 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 3817 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 87 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 191 L | ~34,380 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 9 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Chicago, United States
London Heathrow Airport
London, United Kingdom
Airlines Flying This Route
9 airlines operate flights between Chicago and London.
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
- Start adjusting sleep schedule several days before travel
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine during the flight
- Take short naps (20-30 min) if needed
- Eastward travel is harder - try to get morning light
Seat Recommendations
Distance in Perspective
Distance & Speed Reference
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Statute Miles | 3,953 mi |
| Kilometers | 6,361 km |
| Nautical Miles | 3,435 nm |
| Meters | 6,361,000 m |
| Feet | 20,871,840 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 8h 19m |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 6,361 km between Chicago and London at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 8h 19m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 12h 43m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 19h 53m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 63h 37m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 1,272h (53 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 5h 9m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from ORD
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is Chicago from London?
The flight distance from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is 3,953 miles (6,361 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 8h 19m. This is a long-haul flight typically cruising at 39,000 feet (FL390).
What is the time difference?
London is 6 hours ahead of Chicago. Expect moderate jet lag with ~5 days recovery time.
What airlines fly this route?
9 airlines operate this route: American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines and 6 more.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 954 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 2767 kg. First class: 3817 kg. Offset with ~87 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this Northeast 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 Chicago to London instead of flying?
Driving is not practical for this 6,361 km distance, especially across international borders. It would theoretically take over 80 hours of driving. Flying at 8h 19m 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 954 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 87 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.