New York to Madrid Flight Distance
John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD)
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
Loading globe...
Your Route Summary
What This Means For Your Trip
Flight Duration: At 3,590 miles, this long-haul flight will take approximately 7h 38m. Plan for a substantial flight with meals, entertainment, and rest time.
Time Adjustment: Madrid is 6 hours ahead of New York. Plan for moderate jet lag—give yourself 5 days to adjust before important activities.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 867 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs—planting 79 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) | 3,590 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 5,777 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 3,119 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 7h 38m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | LONG HAUL | Long-haul flight (4,000 - 12,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 66° ENE | East-Northeast |
| Cruising Altitude | 39,000 ft | FL390 (11,887 m) |
| Time Difference | +6h | Jet lag: moderate |
| CO2 (Economy) | 867 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 2513 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 3466 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 79 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 173 L | ~31,140 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 9 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
John F Kennedy International Airport
New York, United States
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
Madrid, Spain
Airlines Flying This Route
9 airlines operate flights between New York and Madrid.
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 | 3,590 mi |
| Kilometers | 5,777 km |
| Nautical Miles | 3,119 nm |
| Meters | 5,777,000 m |
| Feet | 18,955,200 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 7h 38m |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 5,777 km between New York and Madrid at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 7h 38m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 11h 33m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 18h 3m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 57h 46m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 1,155h (48 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 4h 41m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from JFK
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is New York from Madrid?
The flight distance from John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) is 3,590 miles (5,777 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 7h 38m. This is a long-haul flight typically cruising at 39,000 feet (FL390).
What is the time difference?
Madrid is 6 hours ahead of New York. Expect moderate jet lag with ~5 days recovery time.
What airlines fly this route?
9 airlines operate this route: Air Europa, Air France, American Airlines and 6 more.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 867 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 2513 kg. First class: 3466 kg. Offset with ~79 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this East-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 New York to Madrid instead of flying?
Driving is not practical for this 5,777 km distance, especially across international borders. It would theoretically take over 72 hours of driving. Flying at 7h 38m 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 867 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 79 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.