The flight distance from San Diego International Airport (SAN) in San Diego, United States to Sandakan Airport (SDK) in Sandakan, Malaysia is 12,779 kilometers (7,940 miles / 6,900 nautical miles). The estimated flight time for this route is approximately 16h, flying west northwest at a heading of 296°.

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 United States with Malaysia. It is an intercontinental flight between North America and Asia. Travelers should check visa requirements, customs regulations, and any travel advisories before booking.

Time zone information: When it's 05:59 in San Diego, it's 21:59 in Sandakan. With a 16-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 Sandakan (SDK) to San Diego (SAN) follows a heading of 50° (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 San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Sandakan Airport (SDK) detail pages, or use our flight duration calculator to compare other routes.