# Distance from Mbala (MMQ) to San Francisco (SFO)

> 15,870 km · estimated flight time 20h · Ultra-long-haul route.

## Summary

- **Distance**: 15,870 km / 9,861 mi / 8,569 nm
- **Estimated flight time**: 20h
- **Heading**: 325° (northwest)
- **Return heading**: 46° (northeast)
- **Classification**: Ultra-long-haul
- **Type**: International (Zambia) → United States
- **Intercontinental**: Africa → North America
- **Time difference**: -9h (When it's 01:23 in Mbala, it's 16:23 in San Francisco)
- **Elevation difference**: 5,441 ft (SFO is lower than MMQ)

## Airports

### [Mbala Airport (MMQ)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/mmq-mbala-mbala-airport/1ef266de-da1f-65be-9d9b-06bb2780ed98)

- City: Mbala, Zambia
- ICAO: FLBA
- Timezone: Africa/Lusaka
- Coordinates: -8.860000, 31.340000
- Elevation: 5,454 ft

### [San Francisco International Airport (SFO)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/sfo-san-francisco-san-francisco-international-airport/1ef266df-382a-66ea-a1cc-06bb2780ed98)

- City: San Francisco, United States
- ICAO: KSFO
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Coordinates: 37.620000, -122.380000
- Elevation: 13 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 01:23 in Mbala, it's 16:23 in San Francisco.
With a 9-hour time difference, expect significant jet lag.

## Related

- [Mbala Airport (MMQ)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/mmq-mbala-mbala-airport/1ef266de-da1f-65be-9d9b-06bb2780ed98)
- [San Francisco International Airport (SFO)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/sfo-san-francisco-san-francisco-international-airport/1ef266df-382a-66ea-a1cc-06bb2780ed98)
- [Flight duration calculator](/#calculator)