# Distance from Sofia (SOF) to Vanimo Airport (VAI)

> 12,459 km · estimated flight time 16h · Ultra-long-haul route.

## Summary

- **Distance**: 12,459 km / 7,742 mi / 6,727 nm
- **Estimated flight time**: 16h
- **Heading**: 72° (east northeast)
- **Return heading**: 316° (northwest)
- **Classification**: Ultra-long-haul
- **Type**: International (Bulgaria) → Papua New Guinea
- **Intercontinental**: Europe → Oceania
- **Time difference**: +7h (When it's 17:21 in Sofia, it's 00:21 in Vanimo Airport)
- **Elevation difference**: 1,732 ft (VAI is lower than SOF)

## Airports

### [Sofia Airport (SOF)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/sof-sofia-sofia-airport/1ef266df-436b-611c-bff1-06bb2780ed98)

- City: Sofia, Bulgaria
- ICAO: LBSF
- Timezone: Europe/Sofia
- Coordinates: 42.700000, 23.410000
- Elevation: 1,742 ft

### [Vanimo Airport (VAI)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/vai-vanimo-airport/1ef266de-9c44-671c-9a0e-06bb2780ed98)

- City: Vanimo Airport, Papua New Guinea
- ICAO: AYVN
- Timezone: Pacific/Port_Moresby
- Coordinates: -2.700000, 141.300000
- Elevation: 10 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 17:21 in Sofia, it's 00:21 in Vanimo Airport.
With a 7-hour time difference, expect significant jet lag.

## Related

- [Sofia Airport (SOF)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/sof-sofia-sofia-airport/1ef266df-436b-611c-bff1-06bb2780ed98)
- [Vanimo Airport (VAI)](https://www.flightduration.online/airport/vai-vanimo-airport/1ef266de-9c44-671c-9a0e-06bb2780ed98)
- [Flight duration calculator](/#calculator)