JNB
Johannesburg
South Africa
13,670 km
8,494 miles
SME
Somerset
United States
Distance
13,670 km
8,494 mi / 7,381 nm
Est. Flight Time
17h
Ultra-long-haul route
Time Difference
-7h
Africa/Johannesburg
Heading
299°
west northwest

Airport Comparison

JNB SME
Airport Name O. R. Tambo International Airport Lake Cumberland Regional Airport
IATA Code JNB SME
ICAO Code FAOR KSME
City Johannesburg Somerset
Country South Africa United States
Timezone Africa/Johannesburg America/New_York
Elevation 5,558 ft 927 ft
Coordinates -26.130000, 28.240000 37.050000, -84.620000

Johannesburg (JNB) to Somerset (SME) Flight Distance

The flight distance from O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa to Lake Cumberland Regional Airport (SME) in Somerset, United States is 13,670 kilometers (8,494 miles / 7,381 nautical miles). The estimated flight time for this route is approximately 17h, flying west northwest at a heading of 299°.

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 16:02 in Johannesburg, it's 09:02 in Somerset. With a 7-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 4,631 feet between the two airports. Lake Cumberland Regional 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 Somerset (SME) to Johannesburg (JNB) follows a heading of 100° (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 Lake Cumberland Regional Airport (SME) detail pages, or use our flight duration calculator to compare other routes.

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