Flight time: Abu Dhabi to San Francisco

Route details

Distance breakdown: Abu Dhabi to San Francisco

The 13,108-km great-circle distance between Abu Dhabi (24.43°N, 54.65°E) and San Francisco (37.62°N, 122.38°W) spans 13.2° of latitude and 177.0° of longitude, trending primarily west. In miles, this is 8,145 mi or 7078 nautical miles. The great-circle path — the shortest distance over Earth's curved surface — is calculated using the Haversine formula from the two airports' precise coordinates.

Cruise speed and flight phases

On this 13,108-km long-haul route, aircraft spend the majority of the 15h 04m to 16h 49m journey at optimal cruise altitude of 35,000–42,000 feet, where modern wide-body jets achieve true airspeeds of 820–900 km/h (Mach 0.82–0.86). The initial climb and final descent represent a smaller fraction of total flight time compared to shorter routes. Aircraft like the Boeing 777, 787, or Airbus A350 typically operate routes of this distance, with step climbs during the flight to reach progressively more efficient altitudes as fuel burns off and the aircraft lightens.

Ground time and routing overhead

Our 30–50 minutes overhead allowance covers: taxi-out at AUH, takeoff and initial climb, descent and approach at SFO, and taxi-in to the gate. AUH is a major international hub where taxi times of 15–25 minutes are common during peak periods. At SFO, arrival taxi and gate assignment can add 10–20 minutes, especially during busy arrival banks. Continental air traffic corridors between Abu Dhabi and San Francisco may add 3–8% beyond the great-circle distance. Standard instrument departures and arrivals at both airports use predefined routing that adds distance but ensures safe separation.

Return flight: San Francisco → Abu Dhabi

The return flight from San Francisco to Abu Dhabi is generally similar in duration to the outbound — typically within 10–20 minutes. Continental routes like this one are less affected by the jet stream asymmetry that makes oceanic east-west routes so uneven. The main variables affecting any difference are: prevailing winds at these latitudes (modest effect), different standard instrument departures/arrivals at each airport (minor effect), and air traffic congestion patterns that vary by time of day and direction.

Seasonal variation in flight times

Flight times between Abu Dhabi and San Francisco vary modestly by season — typically 10–20 minutes. Upper-level wind patterns shift with the seasons: winter generally brings stronger westerly winds at these latitudes, while summer patterns are more variable. Thunderstorm activity along the route corridor peaks in summer months, occasionally causing routing diversions that add distance. Winter operations may include de-icing delays at AUH, which extend the overall gate-to-gate time.

Airport information

Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) is a major international hub in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. As a tier-1 airport, it handles high traffic volumes, which means longer average taxi times but also higher flight frequency and competition that can benefit travelers on pricing. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a major international hub in San Francisco, United States. As a tier-1 airport, it handles high traffic volumes, which means longer average taxi times but also higher flight frequency and competition that can benefit travelers on pricing.

Flight times from Abu Dhabi to other destinations

Flight time FAQ: Abu Dhabi to San Francisco