Shanghai to Kunming Flight Distance
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG)
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 1,223 miles, this medium-haul flight will take approximately 2h 59m. Consider bringing a book or downloading entertainment for the journey.
Time Adjustment: Kunming is 0 hours ahead of Shanghai. You should experience minimal jet lag.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 307 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs if environmental impact is a concern.
Flight Options: 7 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 1,223 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 1,968 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 1,063 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 2h 59m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | MEDIUM HAUL | Medium-haul flight (1,500 - 4,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 255° WSW | West-Southwest |
| Cruising Altitude | 37,000 ft | FL370 (11,278 m) |
| Time Difference | +0h | Jet lag: none |
| CO2 (Economy) | 307 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 890 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 1228 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 28 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 59 L | ~10,620 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 7 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Shanghai, China
Kunming Changshui International Airport
Kunming, China
Airlines Flying This Route
7 airlines operate flights between Shanghai and Kunming.
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 | 1,223 mi |
| Kilometers | 1,968 km |
| Nautical Miles | 1,063 nm |
| Meters | 1,968,000 m |
| Feet | 6,457,440 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 2h 59m |
| Driving Time (80 km/h avg) | 3 days (25 hours) |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 1,968 km between Shanghai and Kunming at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 2h 59m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 3h 56m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 6h 9m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 19h 41m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 394h (16 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 1h 36m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from PVG
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is Shanghai from Kunming?
The flight distance from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) is 1,223 miles (1,968 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 2h 59m. This is a medium-haul flight typically cruising at 37,000 feet (FL370).
What is the time difference?
Kunming is 0 hours ahead of Shanghai.
What airlines fly this route?
7 airlines operate this route: Air China, Cargo Plus Aviation, China Eastern Airlines and 4 more.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 307 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 890 kg. First class: 1228 kg. Offset with ~28 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this West-Southwest flight, the right side offers the best views away from sun glare.
Can I drive from Shanghai to Kunming instead of flying?
While driving is technically possible at 1,968 km, it would take approximately 25 hours of non-stop driving. Flying saves you significant time, reducing travel to just 2h 59m.
What aircraft typically fly this route?
This medium-haul route is typically served by Airbus A321, Boeing 737 MAX, Airbus A320neo aircraft. A mix of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft may operate this route depending on demand.
How can I offset the carbon from this flight?
An economy class seat on this route produces 307 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 28 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.