The flight distance from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, South Africa to Ellsworth Afb Airport (RCA) in Rapid City, United States is 14,964 kilometers (9,298 miles / 8,080 nautical miles). The estimated flight time for this route is approximately 19h, flying west northwest at a heading of 301°.

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 South Africa 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 18:07 in Cape Town, it's 09:07 in Rapid City. 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 3,125 feet between the two airports. Ellsworth Afb Airport sits higher than Cape Town International Airport.

The return flight from Rapid City (RCA) to Cape Town (CPT) follows a heading of 98° (east). Actual flight times may vary depending on wind conditions, air traffic, and the specific aircraft used.

For more information about these airports, visit the Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and Ellsworth Afb Airport (RCA) detail pages, or use our flight duration calculator to compare other routes.