London to San Francisco Flight Distance
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) 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 5,368 miles, this long-haul flight will take approximately 10h 60m. Plan for a substantial flight with meals, entertainment, and rest time.
Time Adjustment: San Francisco is 8 hours behind London. Plan for moderate jet lag—give yourself 6 days to adjust before important activities.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 1296 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs—planting 118 trees could offset this flight.
Flight Options: 10 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 5,368 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 8,638 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 4,664 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 10h 60m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | LONG HAUL | Long-haul flight (4,000 - 12,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 316° NW | Northwest |
| Cruising Altitude | 41,000 ft | FL410 (12,497 m) |
| Time Difference | -8h | Jet lag: moderate |
| CO2 (Economy) | 1296 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 3758 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 5183 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 118 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 259 L | ~46,620 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 10 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
London Heathrow Airport
London, United Kingdom
San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco, United States
Airlines Flying This Route
10 airlines operate flights between London 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
- Start adjusting sleep schedule several days before travel
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine during the flight
- Take short naps (20-30 min) if needed
- Westward travel: stay awake until local bedtime
Seat Recommendations
Distance in Perspective
Distance & Speed Reference
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Statute Miles | 5,368 mi |
| Kilometers | 8,638 km |
| Nautical Miles | 4,664 nm |
| Meters | 8,638,000 m |
| Feet | 28,343,040 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 10h 60m |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 8,638 km between London and San Francisco at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 10h 60m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 17h 17m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 26h 60m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 86h 23m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 1,728h (72 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 6h 60m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from LHR
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is London from San Francisco?
The flight distance from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is 5,368 miles (8,638 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 10h 60m. This is a long-haul flight typically cruising at 41,000 feet (FL410).
What is the time difference?
San Francisco is 8 hours behind London. Expect moderate jet lag with ~6 days recovery time.
What airlines fly this route?
10 airlines operate this route: Air New Zealand, American Airlines, British Airways and 7 more.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 1296 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 3758 kg. First class: 5183 kg. Offset with ~118 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this Northwest 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 London to San Francisco instead of flying?
Driving is not practical for this 8,638 km distance, especially across international borders. It would theoretically take over 108 hours of driving. Flying at 10h 60m 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 1296 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 118 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.