The flight distance from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Francisco, United States to Waterkloof Air Force Base (WKF) in Pretoria, South Africa is 16,958 kilometers (10,537 miles / 9,157 nautical miles). The estimated flight time for this route is approximately 21h, flying east northeast at a heading of 73°.

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

Time zone information: When it's 01:59 in San Francisco, it's 11:59 in Pretoria. 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 4,927 feet between the two airports. Waterkloof Air Force Base sits higher than San Francisco International Airport.

The return flight from Pretoria (WKF) to San Francisco (SFO) follows a heading of 303° (west northwest). 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 Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Waterkloof Air Force Base (WKF) detail pages, or use our flight duration calculator to compare other routes.