Type a city or airport code for each end of your trip to get the straight-line flying distance in miles, nautical miles and kilometers, an estimated flight time, and the air traffic controllers who handle the flight. For example, Los Angeles (LAX) to New York (JFK) is about 2,469 miles, and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to New York (JFK) is about 1,071 miles.
Popular routes
| Route | Miles | Nautical miles | Est. flight time |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAX → JFK | 2,469 mi | 2,146 nm | 5h 26m |
| FLL → JFK | 1,071 mi | 931 nm | 2h 38m |
| MIA → LGA | 1,099 mi | 955 nm | 2h 42m |
| ATL → LAX | 1,942 mi | 1,688 nm | 4h 23m |
| ORD → LAX | 1,741 mi | 1,513 nm | 3h 59m |
| DFW → LAX | 1,232 mi | 1,071 nm | 2h 58m |
| DEN → JFK | 1,622 mi | 1,409 nm | 3h 45m |
| SFO → JFK | 2,580 mi | 2,242 nm | 5h 40m |
| SEA → ATL | 2,178 mi | 1,893 nm | 4h 51m |
| BOS → MCO | 1,122 mi | 975 nm | 2h 45m |
| MCO → EWR | 939 mi | 816 nm | 2h 23m |
| LAS → ORD | 1,511 mi | 1,313 nm | 3h 31m |
| PHX → SEA | 1,107 mi | 962 nm | 2h 43m |
| DCA → ATL | 547 mi | 475 nm | 1h 36m |
| IAH → EWR | 1,398 mi | 1,215 nm | 3h 18m |
| MSP → LAS | 1,297 mi | 1,127 nm | 3h 06m |
| JFK → SJU | 1,602 mi | 1,392 nm | 3h 42m |
| LAX → HNL | 2,553 mi | 2,218 nm | 5h 36m |
| SEA → ANC | 1,445 mi | 1,256 nm | 3h 23m |
| FLL → LGA | 1,078 mi | 937 nm | 2h 39m |
| ORD → MIA | 1,199 mi | 1,042 nm | 2h 54m |
| DTW → TPA | 985 mi | 856 nm | 2h 28m |
| CLT → BOS | 728 mi | 632 nm | 1h 57m |
| SAN → SFO | 447 mi | 388 nm | 1h 24m |
See all flight routes, with the controllers on each one →
How the flight time is estimated
We use the great-circle distance, the shortest path over the curved Earth, and an average airliner speed of about 500 mph, plus about 30 minutes for taxi, takeoff, climb and landing. Real flight times vary with the wind: eastbound flights often ride the jet stream and arrive early, while westbound flights fly into it and take longer.
Why your flight may fly farther
Planes rarely fly a perfectly straight line. Air traffic controllers route flights along airways and arrival paths, around thunderstorms and restricted airspace, and into the flow of traffic at busy airports. A few extra miles are usually the price of a safe, orderly sky.
Miles vs. nautical miles
Pilots and controllers measure distance in nautical miles. One nautical mile is based on one minute of latitude and equals about 1.15 regular miles, or 1.852 kilometers. Speeds in knots are nautical miles per hour.
Every mile of that route is watched by a team of controllers. See who handled your flight and thank them all at once.
Common questions
How far is it from LAX to JFK?
About 2,469 miles (2,146 nautical miles) in a straight line. Nonstop flights usually take about 5 to 5.5 hours eastbound and longer westbound.
How is flight time calculated?
This calculator divides the great-circle distance by an average airliner speed of about 500 mph and adds about 30 minutes for taxi, takeoff and landing. Wind and routing change the real time.
Why is the flight back longer?
Across the U.S., the jet stream usually blows from west to east. Eastbound flights get a tailwind; westbound flights fly into a headwind.
What is a nautical mile?
The unit of distance used in aviation and at sea: one minute of latitude, about 1.15 statute miles or 1.852 kilometers.