San Diego to New York Flight Distance
San Diego International Airport (SAN) to John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
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 2,446 miles, this medium-haul flight will take approximately 5h 18m. Consider bringing a book or downloading entertainment for the journey.
Time Adjustment: New York is 3 hours ahead of San Diego. Expect mild jet lag with 1-2 days to fully adjust.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 590 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs—planting 54 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) | 2,446 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 3,936 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 2,125 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 5h 18m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | MEDIUM HAUL | Medium-haul flight (1,500 - 4,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 64° ENE | East-Northeast |
| Cruising Altitude | 37,000 ft | FL370 (11,278 m) |
| Time Difference | +3h | Jet lag: mild |
| CO2 (Economy) | 590 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 1712 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 2362 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 54 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 118 L | ~21,240 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 6 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
San Diego International Airport
San Diego, United States
John F Kennedy International Airport
New York, United States
Airlines Flying This Route
6 airlines operate flights between San Diego and New York.
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
- Adjust sleep schedule 1-2 hours before departure
- Stay hydrated during the flight
- Get sunlight exposure at destination
Seat Recommendations
Distance in Perspective
Distance & Speed Reference
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Statute Miles | 2,446 mi |
| Kilometers | 3,936 km |
| Nautical Miles | 2,125 nm |
| Meters | 3,936,000 m |
| Feet | 12,914,880 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 5h 18m |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 3,936 km between San Diego and New York at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 5h 18m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 7h 52m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 12h 18m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 39h 22m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 787h (33 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 3h 11m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from SAN
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is San Diego from New York?
The flight distance from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is 2,446 miles (3,936 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 5h 18m. This is a medium-haul flight typically cruising at 37,000 feet (FL370).
What is the time difference?
New York is 3 hours ahead of San Diego. Expect mild jet lag with ~2 days recovery time.
What airlines fly this route?
6 airlines operate this route: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and 3 more.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 590 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 1712 kg. First class: 2362 kg. Offset with ~54 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this East-Northeast flight, the left side offers the best views away from sun glare.
Can I drive from San Diego to New York instead of flying?
Driving is not practical for this 3,936 km distance. It would theoretically take over 49 hours of driving. Flying at 5h 18m is the recommended option.
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 590 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 54 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.