NBO
Nairobi
Kenya
15,458 km
9,605 miles
SFO
San Francisco
United States
Distance
15,458 km
9,605 mi / 8,346 nm
Est. Flight Time
19h
Ultra-long-haul route
Time Difference
-11h
Africa/Nairobi
Heading
335°
north northwest

Airport Comparison

NBO SFO
Airport Name Jomo Kenyatta International Airport San Francisco International Airport
IATA Code NBO SFO
ICAO Code HKJK KSFO
City Nairobi San Francisco
Country Kenya United States
Timezone Africa/Nairobi America/Los_Angeles
Elevation 5,330 ft 13 ft
Coordinates -1.320000, 36.930000 37.620000, -122.380000

Nairobi (NBO) to San Francisco (SFO) Flight Distance

The flight distance from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi, Kenya to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Francisco, United States is 15,458 kilometers (9,605 miles / 8,346 nautical miles). The estimated flight time for this route is approximately 19h, flying north northwest at a heading of 335°.

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 Kenya 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 12:15 in Nairobi, it's 01:15 in San Francisco. With a 11-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 5,317 feet between the two airports. San Francisco International Airport sits lower than Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Travelers arriving at the higher-elevation airport should be aware of potential altitude effects.

The return flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Nairobi (NBO) follows a heading of 33° (north 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 Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) detail pages, or use our flight duration calculator to compare other routes.

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