Seoul to San Francisco Flight Distance
Incheon International Airport (ICN) 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
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Your Route Summary
What This Means For Your Trip
Flight Duration: At 5,658 miles, this long-haul flight will take approximately 11h 33m. Plan for a substantial flight with meals, entertainment, and rest time.
Time Adjustment: San Francisco is 16 hours behind Seoul. Prepare for significant jet lag. Allow 13+ days for recovery and avoid scheduling important meetings on arrival day.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 1366 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs—planting 124 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) | 5,658 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 9,106 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 4,917 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 11h 33m | 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 | 41,000 ft | FL410 (12,497 m) |
| Time Difference | -16h | Jet lag: severe |
| CO2 (Economy) | 1366 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 3961 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 5464 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 124 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 273 L | ~49,140 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 7 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
Incheon International Airport
Seoul, South Korea
San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco, United States
Airlines Flying This Route
7 airlines operate flights between Seoul 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
- Consider a stopover to break up the journey
- Use melatonin supplements (consult doctor first)
- Plan light activities for first few days
- Expose yourself to daylight at appropriate times
- Avoid important meetings on arrival day
Seat Recommendations
Distance in Perspective
Distance & Speed Reference
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Statute Miles | 5,658 mi |
| Kilometers | 9,106 km |
| Nautical Miles | 4,917 nm |
| Meters | 9,106,000 m |
| Feet | 29,874,240 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 11h 33m |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 9,106 km between Seoul and San Francisco at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 11h 33m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 18h 13m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 28h 27m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 91h 4m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 1,821h (76 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 7h 22m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from ICN
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is Seoul from San Francisco?
The flight distance from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is 5,658 miles (9,106 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 11h 33m. This is a long-haul flight typically cruising at 41,000 feet (FL410).
What is the time difference?
San Francisco is 16 hours behind Seoul. Expect severe jet lag with ~13 days recovery time.
What airlines fly this route?
7 airlines operate this route: Air India Limited, Asiana Airlines, Delta Air Lines and 4 more.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 1366 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 3961 kg. First class: 5464 kg. Offset with ~124 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 Seoul to San Francisco instead of flying?
Driving is not practical for this 9,106 km distance, especially across international borders. It would theoretically take over 114 hours of driving. Flying at 11h 33m 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 1366 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 124 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.