The flight distance from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Francisco, United States to Xining Caojiabu Airport (XNN) in Xining, China is 10,590 kilometers (6,580 miles / 5,718 nautical miles). The estimated flight time for this route is approximately 13h, flying northwest at a heading of 326°.

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 China. It is an intercontinental flight between North America and Asia. Travelers should check visa requirements, customs regulations, and any travel advisories before booking.

Time zone information: When it's 20:35 in San Francisco, it's 11:35 in Xining. With a 15-hour time difference, travelers should plan for significant jet lag. It typically takes one day per hour of time difference to fully adjust.

The return flight from Xining (XNN) to San Francisco (SFO) follows a heading of 34° (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 San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Xining Caojiabu Airport (XNN) detail pages, or use our flight duration calculator to compare other routes.