The flight distance from Southdowns Airport (KIW) in Kitwe, Zambia to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Francisco, United States is 16,006 kilometers (9,946 miles / 8,643 nautical miles). The estimated flight time for this route is approximately 20h, flying northwest at a heading of 319°.

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 Zambia 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 12:14 in Kitwe, it's 03:14 in San Francisco. 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 4,132 feet between the two airports. San Francisco International Airport sits lower than Southdowns Airport.

The return flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Kitwe (KIW) follows a heading of 55° (northeast). Actual flight times may vary depending on wind conditions, air traffic, and the specific aircraft used.

For more information about these airports, visit the Southdowns Airport (KIW) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) detail pages, or use our flight duration calculator to compare other routes.