The flight distance from O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in Seattle, United States is 16,518 kilometers (10,264 miles / 8,919 nautical miles). The estimated flight time for this route is approximately 20h, flying northwest at a heading of 320°.

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 10:24 in Johannesburg, it's 00:24 in Seattle. 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 5,126 feet between the two airports. Seattle-Tacoma 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 Seattle (SEA) to Johannesburg (JNB) follows a heading of 58° (east northeast). 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 Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) detail pages, or use our flight duration calculator to compare other routes.