The flight distance from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, South Africa to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) in Shanghai, China is 12,952 kilometers (8,048 miles / 6,993 nautical miles). The estimated flight time for this route is approximately 16h, flying east northeast at a heading of 69°.

This is an ultra-long-haul route, one of the longest in aviation. It requires wide-body aircraft with extended range capability such as the Airbus A350-900ULR or Boeing 777-200LR. Passengers should prepare for an extended flight with multiple meal services.

This is an international route connecting South Africa with China. It is an intercontinental flight between Africa and Asia. Travelers should check visa requirements, customs regulations, and any travel advisories before booking.

Time zone information: When it's 22:24 in Cape Town, it's 04:24 in Shanghai. With a 6-hour time difference, travelers should plan for significant jet lag. It typically takes one day per hour of time difference to fully adjust.

The return flight from Shanghai (SHA) to Cape Town (CPT) follows a heading of 245° (west southwest). Actual flight times may vary depending on wind conditions, air traffic, and the specific aircraft used.

For more information about these airports, visit the Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) detail pages, or use our flight duration calculator to compare other routes.