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Brussels to New York Flight Distance

Brussels Airport (BRU) to John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

Long HaulWest-Northwest (291°)Direct flights available
Primary sources · 6
  1. [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. [2] NGA.STND.0036_1.0.0_WGS84WGS-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. [3] DESNZ 2024 conversion factorsPer-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. [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. [5] OpenFlightsAirport coordinates and IATA codes · openflights.org/data.php · Community-maintained https://openflights.org/data.php
  6. [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...

3,667
Miles
5,901
Kilometers
3,187
Nautical miles
7h 47m
Flight time
Route Distance Scale5,901 km of 18,000 km max
0Short <1,500kmMedium <4,000kmLong <12,000kmUltra-Long

Your Route Summary

BRU
Origin
Brussels Airport
Brussels, Belgium
50.9014°, 4.4844°
JFK
Destination
John F Kennedy International Airport
New York, United States
40.6398°, -73.7789°

What This Means For Your Trip

Flight Duration: At 3,667 miles, this long-haul flight will take approximately 7h 47m. Plan for a substantial flight with meals, entertainment, and rest time.

Time Adjustment: New York is 6 hours behind Brussels. Plan for moderate jet lag—give yourself 5 days to adjust before important activities.

Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 885 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs—planting 81 trees could offset this flight.

Flight Options: 6 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.

Complete Flight Analysis

MetricValueCategory / Reference
Distance (Miles)3,667 miPrimary frequent flyer unit
Distance (Kilometers)5,901 kmInternational standard
Distance (Nautical Miles)3,187 nmAviation standard
Flight Time7h 47mBased on 850 km/h cruise + ground time
Route ClassificationLONG HAULLong-haul flight (4,000 - 12,000 km)
Flight Direction291° WNWWest-Northwest
Cruising Altitude39,000 ftFL390 (11,887 m)
Time Difference-6hJet lag: moderate
CO2 (Economy)885 kgDEFRA 2024 factors
CO2 (Business)2567 kg2.9x economy
CO2 (First Class)3541 kg4x economy
Trees to Offset81Economy class, per passenger
Fuel per Passenger177 L~31,860 L total (180 pax)
Operating Airlines6Direct flights available

Tips for This Route

Book Early
Book 2-3 months ahead for best prices on this long-haul route.
Best Window Seat
Choose the right side for views with less sun glare on this west-northwest flight.
Adjust Your Clock
Start adjusting your sleep 2-3 days before departure. Move bedtime later gradually.
Pack Smart
Bring entertainment, snacks, and a neck pillow for comfort.
Offset Your Impact
Consider offsetting 885 kg CO2 through verified programs—equivalent to planting 81 trees.
Compare Prices
With 6 airlines on this route, compare prices across carriers for the best deal.
BRU
DEPARTURE

Brussels Airport

Brussels, Belgium

IATA / ICAO
BRU / EBBR
Elevation
184 ft (56 m)
Local Time
06:32 PM
GMT+2
Coordinates
50.9014°, 4.4844°
View full airport details
JFK
ARRIVAL-6h from departure

John F Kennedy International Airport

New York, United States

IATA / ICAO
JFK / KJFK
Elevation
13 ft (4 m)
Local Time
12:32 PM
GMT-4
Coordinates
40.6398°, -73.7789°
View full airport details

Airlines Flying This Route

6 airlines operate flights between Brussels and New York.

AF
Air France
France
SN
Brussels Airlines
Belgium
DL
Delta Air Lines
United States
KL
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Netherlands
LH
Lufthansa Cargo
Germany
UA
United Airlines
United States

Flight Details

Cruising Altitude
39,000 ft (11,887 m)
FL390
Flight Direction
West-Northwest
Initial bearing: 291°
Route Type
Long-haul flight (4,000 - 12,000 km)
Typical Aircraft
Boeing 777Airbus A350Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Fuel Consumption
177 L per passenger
~31,860 L total (180 passengers)
Geographic Context
This route crosses the Prime Meridian (0° longitude)
Both airports are in the Northern Hemisphere. This route crosses from the Eastern to the Western Hemisphere.

Flight Midpoint

The geographic midpoint of this flight is located at:

Latitude
52° 51' 57.1" N
52.8659°
Longitude
38° 56' 20.1" W
-38.9389°
Halfway Point
1,834 mi
234 min into flight

Carbon Emissions by Cabin Class

CO2 emissions vary by cabin class due to seat space allocation. Based on DEFRA 2024 emission factors.

Economy
885 kg
CO2e: 1682 kg
Premium Economy
1416 kg
CO2e: 2691 kg
Business
2567 kg
CO2e: 4877 kg
First Class
3541 kg
CO2e: 6727 kg
Carbon Offset
To offset an economy class seat, plant approximately 81 trees.Equivalent to 1.7 months of average person's carbon footprint

Jet Lag & Travel Tips

Jet Lag Severity
moderate
Recovery time: ~5 days
Time Zone Change
6 hours back
Flying westward
Tips for This Journey
  • Start adjusting sleep schedule several days before travel
  • Avoid alcohol and caffeine during the flight
  • Take short naps (20-30 min) if needed
  • Westward travel: stay awake until local bedtime

Seat Recommendations

Best Window for Views
right Side
Sun will be on the left (south) side during daytime
Recommendation
Right window for views away from sun glare, left for warmth. For this long flight, consider an aisle seat for easier movement.

Distance in Perspective

1
14.7% of Earth's circumference
2
65 flights of this distance would reach the Moon
3
Comparable to London to New York (5,567 km)
4
4.8 hours at the speed of sound

Distance & Speed Reference

MeasurementValue
Statute Miles3,667 mi
Kilometers5,901 km
Nautical Miles3,187 nm
Meters5,901,000 m
Feet19,361,760 ft
Flight Time (850 km/h)7h 47m

Travel Speed Comparison

How long would it take to cover the 5,901 km between Brussels and New York at different speeds?

ModeSpeedTime
Commercial Jet850 km/h7h 47m
Turboprop Aircraft500 km/h11h 48m
Bullet Train320 km/h18h 26m
Car (highway)100 km/h59h 1m
Walking5 km/h1,180h (49 days)
Speed of Sound1,235 km/h4h 47m

Round Trip Summary

7,334
total miles
11,802
total km
15h 34m
total flight time
1,770
kg CO2 (economy)
View Return Flight: JFK to BRU

Quick Facts

Distance3,667 mi
Flight Time7h 47m
Route Typelong haul
DirectionWNW
AltitudeFL390
Time Diff-6h
CO2 (Economy)885 kg
Airlines6

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Brussels from New York?

The flight distance from Brussels Airport (BRU) to John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is 3,667 miles (5,901 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.

How long is the flight?

A direct flight takes approximately 7h 47m. This is a long-haul flight typically cruising at 39,000 feet (FL390).

What is the time difference?

New York is 6 hours behind Brussels. Expect moderate jet lag with ~5 days recovery time.

What airlines fly this route?

6 airlines operate this route: Air France, Brussels Airlines, Delta Air Lines and 3 more.

What is the carbon footprint?

Economy class: 885 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 2567 kg. First class: 3541 kg. Offset with ~81 trees.

Which seat side is best?

For this West-Northwest 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 Brussels to New York instead of flying?

Driving is not practical for this 5,901 km distance, especially across international borders. It would theoretically take over 74 hours of driving. Flying at 7h 47m 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 885 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 81 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.

Dig deeper on this route