The flight distance from Melbourne International Airport (MEL) in Melbourne, Australia to Richards Bay Airport (RCB) in Richards Bay, South Africa is 9,845 kilometers (6,118 miles / 5,316 nautical miles). The estimated flight time for this route is approximately 13h, flying southwest at a heading of 234°.

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 Australia with South Africa. It is an intercontinental flight between Oceania and Africa. Travelers should check visa requirements, customs regulations, and any travel advisories before booking.

Time zone information: When it's 03:37 in Melbourne, it's 18:37 in Richards Bay. With a 9-hour time difference, travelers should plan for significant jet lag. It typically takes one day per hour of time difference to fully adjust.

The return flight from Richards Bay (RCB) to Melbourne (MEL) follows a heading of 133° (southeast). Actual flight times may vary depending on wind conditions, air traffic, and the specific aircraft used.

For more information about these airports, visit the Melbourne International Airport (MEL) and Richards Bay Airport (RCB) detail pages, or use our flight duration calculator to compare other routes.