The flight distance from Mbala Airport (MMQ) in Mbala, Zambia to San Diego International Airport (SAN) in San Diego, United States is 15,833 kilometers (9,838 miles / 8,549 nautical miles). The estimated flight time for this route is approximately 20h, flying northwest at a heading of 314°.

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 Zambia 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 20:32 in Mbala, it's 10:32 in San Diego. 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 5,437 feet between the two airports. San Diego International Airport sits lower than Mbala Airport. Travelers arriving at the higher-elevation airport should be aware of potential altitude effects.

The return flight from San Diego (SAN) to Mbala (MMQ) 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 Mbala Airport (MMQ) and San Diego International Airport (SAN) detail pages, or use our flight duration calculator to compare other routes.