The flight distance from O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa to San Diego International Airport (SAN) in San Diego, United States is 16,604 kilometers (10,317 miles / 8,965 nautical miles). The estimated flight time for this route is approximately 21h, flying west northwest at a heading of 291°.

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 07:59 in Johannesburg, it's 21:59 in San Diego. With a 10-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 5,541 feet between the two airports. San Diego 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 San Diego (SAN) to Johannesburg (JNB) follows a heading of 87° (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 San Diego International Airport (SAN) detail pages, or use our flight duration calculator to compare other routes.