# Distance from Washington (IAD) to Shanghai (SHA)

> 11,980 km · estimated flight time 15h · Ultra-long-haul route.

## Summary

- **Distance**: 11,980 km / 7,444 mi / 6,469 nm
- **Estimated flight time**: 15h
- **Heading**: 343° (north northwest)
- **Return heading**: 15° (north northeast)
- **Classification**: Ultra-long-haul
- **Type**: International (United States) → China
- **Intercontinental**: North America → Asia
- **Time difference**: +12h (When it's 04:31 in Washington, it's 16:31 in Shanghai)
- **Elevation difference**: 302 ft (SHA is lower than IAD)

## Airports

### [Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/iad-washington-washington-dulles-international-airport/1ef266df-22cc-64e2-b8c0-06bb2780ed98)

- City: Washington, United States
- ICAO: KIAD
- Timezone: America/New_York
- Coordinates: 38.900000, -77.500000
- Elevation: 312 ft

### [Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/sha-shanghai-shanghai-hongqiao-international-airport/1ef266e0-2049-6246-8979-06bb2780ed98)

- City: Shanghai, China
- ICAO: ZSSS
- Timezone: Asia/Shanghai
- Coordinates: 31.200000, 121.340000
- Elevation: 10 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 04:31 in Washington, it's 16:31 in Shanghai.
With a 12-hour time difference, expect significant jet lag.

## Related

- [Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/iad-washington-washington-dulles-international-airport/1ef266df-22cc-64e2-b8c0-06bb2780ed98)
- [Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/sha-shanghai-shanghai-hongqiao-international-airport/1ef266e0-2049-6246-8979-06bb2780ed98)
- [Flight duration calculator](/#calculator)