Kigali to Johannesburg Flight Distance
Kigali International Airport (KGL) to OR Tambo International Airport (JNB)
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 1,667 miles, this medium-haul flight will take approximately 3h 49m. Consider bringing a book or downloading entertainment for the journey.
Time Adjustment: Johannesburg is 0 hours ahead of Kigali. You should experience minimal jet lag.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 418 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) | 1,667 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 2,682 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 1,448 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 3h 49m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | MEDIUM HAUL | Medium-haul flight (1,500 - 4,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 184° S | South |
| Cruising Altitude | 37,000 ft | FL370 (11,278 m) |
| Time Difference | +0h | Jet lag: none |
| CO2 (Economy) | 418 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 1213 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 1674 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 38 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 80 L | ~14,400 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 2 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
Kigali International Airport
Kigali, Rwanda
OR Tambo International Airport
Johannesburg, South Africa
Airlines Flying This Route
2 airlines operate flights between Kigali and Johannesburg.
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 | 1,667 mi |
| Kilometers | 2,682 km |
| Nautical Miles | 1,448 nm |
| Meters | 2,682,000 m |
| Feet | 8,801,760 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 3h 49m |
| Driving Time (80 km/h avg) | 4 days (34 hours) |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 2,682 km between Kigali and Johannesburg at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 3h 49m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 5h 22m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 8h 23m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 26h 49m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 536h (22 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 2h 10m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from KGL
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is Kigali from Johannesburg?
The flight distance from Kigali International Airport (KGL) to OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) is 1,667 miles (2,682 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 3h 49m. This is a medium-haul flight typically cruising at 37,000 feet (FL370).
What is the time difference?
Johannesburg is 0 hours ahead of Kigali.
What airlines fly this route?
2 airlines operate this route: Rwandair Express, South African Airways.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 418 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 1213 kg. First class: 1674 kg. Offset with ~38 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this South flight, the left side offers the best views away from sun glare.
Can I drive from Kigali to Johannesburg instead of flying?
While driving is technically possible at 2,682 km, it would take approximately 34 hours of non-stop driving. Flying saves you significant time, reducing travel to just 3h 49m.
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 418 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 38 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.