The flight distance from O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa to Chicago/Rockford International Airport (RFD) in Chicago/Rockford, United States is 14,118 kilometers (8,772 miles / 7,623 nautical miles). The estimated flight time for this route is approximately 18h, flying northwest at a heading of 305°.

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 United States. It is an intercontinental flight between Africa and North America. Travelers should check visa requirements, customs regulations, and any travel advisories before booking.

Time zone information: When it's 15:29 in Johannesburg, it's 07:29 in Chicago/Rockford. With a 8-hour time difference, travelers should plan for significant jet lag. It typically takes one day per hour of time difference to fully adjust.

There is a significant elevation difference of 4,816 feet between the two airports. Chicago/Rockford International Airport sits lower than O. R. Tambo International Airport. Travelers arriving at the higher-elevation airport should be aware of potential altitude effects.

The return flight from Chicago/Rockford (RFD) to Johannesburg (JNB) follows a heading of 94° (east). Actual flight times may vary depending on wind conditions, air traffic, and the specific aircraft used.

For more information about these airports, visit the O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) and Chicago/Rockford International Airport (RFD) detail pages, or use our flight duration calculator to compare other routes.