# Distance from Detroit (DTW) to Nuku'alofa (TBU)

> 11,717 km · estimated flight time 15h · Ultra-long-haul route.

## Summary

- **Distance**: 11,717 km / 7,280 mi / 6,327 nm
- **Estimated flight time**: 15h
- **Heading**: 255° (west southwest)
- **Return heading**: 50° (northeast)
- **Classification**: Ultra-long-haul
- **Type**: International (United States) → Tonga
- **Intercontinental**: North America → Oceania
- **Time difference**: +17h (When it's 00:30 in Detroit, it's 17:30 in Nuku'alofa)
- **Elevation difference**: 519 ft (TBU is lower than DTW)

## Airports

### [Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (DTW)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/dtw-detroit-detroit-metro-wayne-county-airport/1ef266df-17dd-690a-88d4-06bb2780ed98)

- City: Detroit, United States
- ICAO: KDTW
- Timezone: America/New_York
- Coordinates: 42.210000, -83.350000
- Elevation: 645 ft

### [Fua'amotu International Airport (TBU)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/tbu-nukualofa-fuaamotu-international-airport/1ef266df-705a-6d44-bad4-06bb2780ed98)

- City: Nuku'alofa, Tonga
- ICAO: NFTF
- Timezone: Pacific/Tongatapu
- Coordinates: -21.240000, -175.150000
- Elevation: 126 ft

## Route notes

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.

Time-zone information: When it's 00:30 in Detroit, it's 17:30 in Nuku'alofa.
With a 17-hour time difference, expect significant jet lag.

## Related

- [Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (DTW)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/dtw-detroit-detroit-metro-wayne-county-airport/1ef266df-17dd-690a-88d4-06bb2780ed98)
- [Fua'amotu International Airport (TBU)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/tbu-nukualofa-fuaamotu-international-airport/1ef266df-705a-6d44-bad4-06bb2780ed98)
- [Flight duration calculator](/#calculator)