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Sofia to Rome Flight Distance

Sofia Airport (SOF) to Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO)

Short HaulWest (268°)Direct flights available
Primary sources · 6
  1. [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. [2] NGA.STND.0036_1.0.0_WGS84WGS-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. [3] DESNZ 2024 conversion factorsPer-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. [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. [5] OpenFlightsAirport coordinates and IATA codes · openflights.org/data.php · Community-maintained https://openflights.org/data.php
  6. [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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576
Miles
927
Kilometers
500
Nautical miles
1h 35m
Flight time
Route Distance Scale927 km of 18,000 km max
0Short <1,500kmMedium <4,000kmLong <12,000kmUltra-Long

Your Route Summary

SOF
Origin
Sofia Airport
Sofia, Bulgaria
42.6967°, 23.4114°
FCO
Destination
Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport
Rome, Italy
41.8003°, 12.2389°

What This Means For Your Trip

Flight Duration: At 576 miles, this short-haul flight will take approximately 1h 35m. This is a relatively quick flight where you may not even need entertainment.

Time Adjustment: Rome is 1 hour behind Sofia. You should experience minimal jet lag.

Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 236 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs if environmental impact is a concern.

Flight Options: 3 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.

Complete Flight Analysis

MetricValueCategory / Reference
Distance (Miles)576 miPrimary frequent flyer unit
Distance (Kilometers)927 kmInternational standard
Distance (Nautical Miles)500 nmAviation standard
Flight Time1h 35mBased on 850 km/h cruise + ground time
Route ClassificationSHORT HAULShort-haul flight (under 1,500 km)
Flight Direction268° WWest
Cruising Altitude33,000 ftFL330 (10,058 m)
Time Difference-1hJet lag: none
CO2 (Economy)236 kgDEFRA 2024 factors
CO2 (Business)686 kg2.9x economy
CO2 (First Class)946 kg4x economy
Trees to Offset22Economy class, per passenger
Fuel per Passenger28 L~5,040 L total (180 pax)
Operating Airlines3Direct flights available

Tips for This Route

Book Early
Book 3-6 weeks ahead for competitive fares on this route.
Best Window Seat
Choose the right side for views with less sun glare on this west flight.
Adjust Your Clock
Minimal time change—no special preparation needed.
Pack Smart
Short flight—light carry-on with essentials is sufficient.
Offset Your Impact
Consider offsetting 236 kg CO2 through verified programs—equivalent to planting 22 trees.
Compare Prices
Check multiple booking sites and set price alerts for the best fares.
SOF
DEPARTURE

Sofia Airport

Sofia, Bulgaria

IATA / ICAO
SOF / LBSF
Elevation
1,742 ft (531 m)
Local Time
09:27 PM
GMT+3
Coordinates
42.6967°, 23.4114°
View full airport details
FCO
ARRIVAL-1h from departure

Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport

Rome, Italy

IATA / ICAO
FCO / LIRF
Elevation
13 ft (4 m)
Local Time
08:27 PM
GMT+2
Coordinates
41.8003°, 12.2389°
View full airport details

Airlines Flying This Route

3 airlines operate flights between Sofia and Rome.

AZ
Alitalia
Italy
FB
Bulgaria Air
Bulgaria
W6
Wizz Air
Hungary

Flight Details

Cruising Altitude
33,000 ft (10,058 m)
FL330
Flight Direction
West
Initial bearing: 268°
Route Type
Short-haul flight (under 1,500 km)
Typical Aircraft
Airbus A320Boeing 737Embraer E190
Fuel Consumption
28 L per passenger
~5,040 L total (180 passengers)
Geographic Context
Route stays within the Northern Hemisphere
Both airports are in the Northern Hemisphere. Both airports are in the Eastern Hemisphere.

Flight Midpoint

The geographic midpoint of this flight is located at:

Latitude
42° 23' 3.3" N
42.3843°
Longitude
17° 47' 7.2" E
17.7853°
Halfway Point
288 mi
48 min into flight

Carbon Emissions by Cabin Class

CO2 emissions vary by cabin class due to seat space allocation. Based on DEFRA 2024 emission factors.

Economy
236 kg
CO2e: 449 kg
Premium Economy
378 kg
CO2e: 719 kg
Business
686 kg
CO2e: 1302 kg
First Class
946 kg
CO2e: 1797 kg
Carbon Offset
To offset an economy class seat, plant approximately 22 trees.Equivalent to 9 weeks of average household electricity

Jet Lag & Travel Tips

Jet Lag Severity
none
Time Zone Change
1 hour back
Flying westward
Tips for This Journey
  • Minimal time difference - jet lag unlikely

Seat Recommendations

Best Window for Views
right Side
Sun will be on the left (south) side during daytime
Recommendation
Right window for views away from sun glare, left for warmth

Distance in Perspective

1
2.3% of Earth's circumference
2
Similar to Berlin to Vienna (524 km)
3
0.8 hours at the speed of sound

Distance & Speed Reference

MeasurementValue
Statute Miles576 mi
Kilometers927 km
Nautical Miles500 nm
Meters927,000 m
Feet3,041,280 ft
Flight Time (850 km/h)1h 35m
Driving Time (80 km/h avg)12 hours

Travel Speed Comparison

How long would it take to cover the 927 km between Sofia and Rome at different speeds?

ModeSpeedTime
Commercial Jet850 km/h1h 35m
Turboprop Aircraft500 km/h1h 51m
Bullet Train320 km/h2h 54m
Car (highway)100 km/h9h 16m
Walking5 km/h185h (8 days)
Speed of Sound1,235 km/h0h 45m

Round Trip Summary

1,152
total miles
1,854
total km
3h 10m
total flight time
472
kg CO2 (economy)
View Return Flight: FCO to SOF

Quick Facts

Distance576 mi
Flight Time1h 35m
Route Typeshort haul
DirectionW
AltitudeFL330
Time Diff-1h
CO2 (Economy)236 kg
Airlines3

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Sofia from Rome?

The flight distance from Sofia Airport (SOF) to Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is 576 miles (927 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.

How long is the flight?

A direct flight takes approximately 1h 35m. This is a short-haul flight typically cruising at 33,000 feet (FL330).

What is the time difference?

Rome is 1 hour behind Sofia.

What airlines fly this route?

3 airlines operate this route: Alitalia, Bulgaria Air, Wizz Air.

What is the carbon footprint?

Economy class: 236 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 686 kg. First class: 946 kg. Offset with ~22 trees.

Which seat side is best?

For this West flight, the right side offers the best views away from sun glare.

Can I drive from Sofia to Rome instead of flying?

While driving is technically possible at 927 km, it would take approximately 12 hours of non-stop driving. Flying saves you significant time, reducing travel to just 1h 35m.

What aircraft typically fly this route?

This short-haul route is typically served by Airbus A320, Boeing 737, Embraer E190 aircraft. These are narrow-body aircraft designed for efficient short-distance travel.

How can I offset the carbon from this flight?

An economy class seat on this route produces 236 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 22 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.

Dig deeper on this route