The flight distance from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Francisco, United States to Shire Airport (SHC) in Shire, Ethiopia is 13,921 kilometers (8,650 miles / 7,517 nautical miles). The estimated flight time for this route is approximately 17h, flying north northeast at a heading of 23°.

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 United States with Ethiopia. It is an intercontinental flight between North America and Africa. Travelers should check visa requirements, customs regulations, and any travel advisories before booking.

Time zone information: When it's 14:36 in San Francisco, it's 00:36 in Shire. With a 10-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 6,194 feet between the two airports. Shire Airport sits higher than San Francisco International Airport. Travelers arriving at the higher-elevation airport should be aware of potential altitude effects.

The return flight from Shire (SHC) to San Francisco (SFO) follows a heading of 341° (north northwest). Actual flight times may vary depending on wind conditions, air traffic, and the specific aircraft used.

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