Los Angeles to Sydney Flight Distance
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD)
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 7,488 miles, this ultra-long-haul flight will take approximately 15h 1m. This is one of the world's longest routes. Plan for significant rest and multiple meals on board.
Time Adjustment: Sydney is 17 hours ahead of Los Angeles. Prepare for significant jet lag. Allow 14+ days for recovery and avoid scheduling important meetings on arrival day.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 1808 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs—planting 164 trees could offset this flight.
Flight Options: 6 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 7,488 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 12,051 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 6,507 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 15h 1m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | ULTRA LONG-HAUL | Ultra-long-haul flight (over 12,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 241° WSW | West-Southwest |
| Cruising Altitude | 41,000 ft | FL410 (12,497 m) |
| Time Difference | +17h | Jet lag: severe |
| CO2 (Economy) | 1808 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 5242 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 7231 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 164 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 362 L | ~65,160 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 6 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles, United States
Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport
Sydney, Australia
Airlines Flying This Route
6 airlines operate flights between Los Angeles and Sydney.
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 | 7,488 mi |
| Kilometers | 12,051 km |
| Nautical Miles | 6,507 nm |
| Meters | 12,051,000 m |
| Feet | 39,536,640 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 15h 1m |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 12,051 km between Los Angeles and Sydney at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 15h 1m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 24h 6m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 37h 40m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 120h 31m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 2,410h (100 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 9h 45m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from LAX
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is Los Angeles from Sydney?
The flight distance from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) is 7,488 miles (12,051 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 15h 1m. This is a ultra-long-haul flight typically cruising at 41,000 feet (FL410).
What is the time difference?
Sydney is 17 hours ahead of Los Angeles. Expect severe jet lag with ~14 days recovery time.
What airlines fly this route?
6 airlines operate this route: Air New Zealand, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and 3 more.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 1808 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 5242 kg. First class: 7231 kg. Offset with ~164 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this West-Southwest 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 Los Angeles to Sydney instead of flying?
Driving is not practical for this 12,051 km distance, especially across international borders. It would theoretically take over 151 hours of driving. Flying at 15h 1m is the recommended option.
What aircraft typically fly this route?
This ultra-long-haul route is typically served by Airbus A350-900ULR, Boeing 777-200LR, Airbus A380 aircraft. Only the most capable long-range wide-body aircraft can serve routes of this distance non-stop.
How can I offset the carbon from this flight?
An economy class seat on this route produces 1808 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 164 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.