San Francisco to Dubai Flight Distance
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Dubai International Airport (DXB)
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 8,103 miles, this ultra-long-haul flight will take approximately 16h 11m. This is one of the world's longest routes. Plan for significant rest and multiple meals on board.
Time Adjustment: Dubai is 11 hours ahead of San Francisco. Prepare for significant jet lag. Allow 9+ days for recovery and avoid scheduling important meetings on arrival day.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 1956 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs—planting 177 trees could offset this flight.
Flight Options: 2 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 8,103 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 13,041 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 7,041 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 16h 11m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | ULTRA LONG-HAUL | Ultra-long-haul flight (over 12,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 2° N | North |
| Cruising Altitude | 41,000 ft | FL410 (12,497 m) |
| Time Difference | +11h | Jet lag: severe |
| CO2 (Economy) | 1956 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 5673 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 7825 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 177 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 391 L | ~70,380 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 2 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco, United States
Dubai International Airport
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Airlines Flying This Route
2 airlines operate flights between San Francisco and Dubai.
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 | 8,103 mi |
| Kilometers | 13,041 km |
| Nautical Miles | 7,041 nm |
| Meters | 13,041,000 m |
| Feet | 42,783,840 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 16h 11m |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 13,041 km between San Francisco and Dubai at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 16h 11m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 26h 5m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 40h 45m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 130h 25m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 2,608h (109 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 10h 34m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from SFO
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is San Francisco from Dubai?
The flight distance from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Dubai International Airport (DXB) is 8,103 miles (13,041 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 16h 11m. This is a ultra-long-haul flight typically cruising at 41,000 feet (FL410).
What is the time difference?
Dubai is 11 hours ahead of San Francisco. Expect severe jet lag with ~9 days recovery time.
What airlines fly this route?
2 airlines operate this route: Emirates, JetBlue Airways.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 1956 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 5673 kg. First class: 7825 kg. Offset with ~177 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this North 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 San Francisco to Dubai instead of flying?
Driving is not practical for this 13,041 km distance, especially across international borders. It would theoretically take over 163 hours of driving. Flying at 16h 11m 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 1956 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 177 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.