The flight distance from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Francisco, United States to Welkom Airport (WEL) in Welkom, South Africa is 16,948 kilometers (10,531 miles / 9,151 nautical miles). The estimated flight time for this route is approximately 21h, flying east northeast at a heading of 79°.

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 South Africa. 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 07:55 in San Francisco, it's 16:55 in Welkom. 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 4,386 feet between the two airports. Welkom Airport sits higher than San Francisco International Airport.

The return flight from Welkom (WEL) to San Francisco (SFO) follows a heading of 298° (west 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 Welkom Airport (WEL) detail pages, or use our flight duration calculator to compare other routes.