# Distance from Istanbul (IST) to Nuku'alofa (TBU)

> 16,854 km · estimated flight time 21h · Ultra-long-haul route.

## Summary

- **Distance**: 16,854 km / 10,472 mi / 9,100 nm
- **Estimated flight time**: 21h
- **Heading**: 52° (northeast)
- **Return heading**: 320° (northwest)
- **Classification**: Ultra-long-haul
- **Type**: International (Turkey) → Tonga
- **Intercontinental**: Asia → Oceania
- **Time difference**: +10h (When it's 20:53 in Istanbul, it's 06:53 in Nuku'alofa)
- **Elevation difference**: 199 ft (TBU is lower than IST)

## Airports

### [Istanbul Airport (IST)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/ist-istanbul-istanbul-airport/1ef266df-5964-637e-b8a8-06bb2780ed98)

- City: Istanbul, Turkey
- ICAO: LTFM
- Timezone: Europe/Istanbul
- Coordinates: 41.280000, 28.750000
- Elevation: 325 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 20:53 in Istanbul, it's 06:53 in Nuku'alofa.
With a 10-hour time difference, expect significant jet lag.

## Related

- [Istanbul Airport (IST)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/ist-istanbul-istanbul-airport/1ef266df-5964-637e-b8a8-06bb2780ed98)
- [Fua'amotu International Airport (TBU)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/tbu-nukualofa-fuaamotu-international-airport/1ef266df-705a-6d44-bad4-06bb2780ed98)
- [Flight duration calculator](/#calculator)