The flight distance from Melbourne International Airport (MEL) in Melbourne, Australia to Rughenda Airfield (RUE) in Butembo, DR Congo is 12,234 kilometers (7,602 miles / 6,606 nautical miles). The estimated flight time for this route is approximately 15h, flying west southwest at a heading of 254°.

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 DR Congo. 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 01:15 in Melbourne, it's 16:15 in Butembo. 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.

There is a significant elevation difference of 5,323 feet between the two airports. Rughenda Airfield sits higher than Melbourne International Airport. Travelers arriving at the higher-elevation airport should be aware of potential altitude effects.

The return flight from Butembo (RUE) to Melbourne (MEL) follows a heading of 131° (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 Rughenda Airfield (RUE) detail pages, or use our flight duration calculator to compare other routes.