Seoul to Ulan Bator Flight Distance
Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Chinggis Khaan International Airport (ULN)
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 1,226 miles, this medium-haul flight will take approximately 2h 59m. Consider bringing a book or downloading entertainment for the journey.
Time Adjustment: Ulan Bator is 1 hour behind Seoul. You should experience minimal jet lag.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 308 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs if environmental impact is a concern.
Flight Options: 2 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 1,226 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 1,974 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 1,066 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 | 312° NW | Northwest |
| Cruising Altitude | 37,000 ft | FL370 (11,278 m) |
| Time Difference | -1h | Jet lag: none |
| CO2 (Economy) | 308 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 893 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 1232 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 28 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 59 L | ~10,620 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 2 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
Incheon International Airport
Seoul, South Korea
Chinggis Khaan International Airport
Ulan Bator, Mongolia
Airlines Flying This Route
2 airlines operate flights between Seoul and Ulan Bator.
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 | 1,226 mi |
| Kilometers | 1,974 km |
| Nautical Miles | 1,066 nm |
| Meters | 1,974,000 m |
| Feet | 6,473,280 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 1,974 km between Seoul and Ulan Bator at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 2h 59m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 3h 57m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 6h 10m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 19h 44m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 395h (16 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 1h 36m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from ICN
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is Seoul from Ulan Bator?
The flight distance from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Chinggis Khaan International Airport (ULN) is 1,226 miles (1,974 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?
Ulan Bator is 1 hour behind Seoul.
What airlines fly this route?
2 airlines operate this route: Korean Air, MIAT Mongolian Airlines.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 308 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 893 kg. First class: 1232 kg. Offset with ~28 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this Northwest flight, the right side offers the best views away from sun glare.
Can I drive from Seoul to Ulan Bator instead of flying?
While driving is technically possible at 1,974 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 308 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.