The flight distance from O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) in Shanghai, China is 11,747 kilometers (7,299 miles / 6,343 nautical miles). The estimated flight time for this route is approximately 15h, flying east northeast at a heading of 62°.

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 00:03 in Johannesburg, it's 06:03 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.

There is a significant elevation difference of 5,548 feet between the two airports. Shanghai Hongqiao 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 Shanghai (SHA) to Johannesburg (JNB) follows a heading of 249° (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 O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) detail pages, or use our flight duration calculator to compare other routes.