# Distance from Kitwe (KIW) to San Jose (SJO)

> 12,657 km · estimated flight time 16h · Ultra-long-haul route.

## Summary

- **Distance**: 12,657 km / 7,864 mi / 6,834 nm
- **Estimated flight time**: 16h
- **Heading**: 275° (west)
- **Return heading**: 100° (east)
- **Classification**: Ultra-long-haul
- **Type**: International (Zambia) → Costa Rica
- **Intercontinental**: Africa → North America
- **Time difference**: -8h (When it's 15:34 in Kitwe, it's 07:34 in San Jose)
- **Elevation difference**: 1,124 ft (SJO is lower than KIW)

## Airports

### [Southdowns Airport (KIW)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/kiw-kitwe-southdowns-airport/1ef266de-db18-6fec-81ac-06bb2780ed98)

- City: Kitwe, Zambia
- ICAO: FLSO
- Timezone: Africa/Lusaka
- Coordinates: -12.900000, 28.150000
- Elevation: 4,145 ft

### [Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/sjo-san-jose-juan-santamaria-international-airport/1ef266df-6643-69f0-a227-06bb2780ed98)

- City: San Jose, Costa Rica
- ICAO: MROC
- Timezone: America/Costa_Rica
- Coordinates: 9.990000, -84.210000
- Elevation: 3,021 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 15:34 in Kitwe, it's 07:34 in San Jose.
With a 8-hour time difference, expect significant jet lag.

## Related

- [Southdowns Airport (KIW)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/kiw-kitwe-southdowns-airport/1ef266de-db18-6fec-81ac-06bb2780ed98)
- [Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/sjo-san-jose-juan-santamaria-international-airport/1ef266df-6643-69f0-a227-06bb2780ed98)
- [Flight duration calculator](/#calculator)