Nonstop flight route between San Francisco, California, United States and Port Elizabeth, South Africa:
Departure Airport:
(37°37'8"N by 122°22'30"W)
Arrival Airport:
(33°59'4"S by 25°36'37"E)
Distance from SFO to PLZ:
10,634.11 miles (17,113.90 km)
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- About this route
- SFO Airport Information
- PLZ Airport Information
- Facts about SFO
- Facts about PLZ
- Map of Nearest Airports to SFO
- List of Nearest Airports to SFO
- Map of Furthest Airports from SFO
- List of Furthest Airports from SFO
- Map of Nearest Airports to PLZ
- List of Nearest Airports to PLZ
- Map of Furthest Airports from PLZ
- List of Furthest Airports from PLZ
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between San Francisco International Airport (SFO), San Francisco, California, United States and Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ), Port Elizabeth, South Africa would travel a Great Circle distance of 10,634 miles (or 17,114 kilometers).
A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between San Francisco International Airport and Port Elizabeth International Airport, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.
Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between San Francisco International Airport and Port Elizabeth International Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | SFO / KSFO |
| Airport Name: | San Francisco International Airport |
| Location: | San Francisco, California, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 37°37'8"N by 122°22'30"W |
| Area Served: | San Francisco |
| Operator/Owner: | City & County of San Francisco |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 13 feet (4 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 4 |
| View all routes: | Routes from SFO |
| More Information: | SFO Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | PLZ / FAPE |
| Airport Name: | Port Elizabeth International Airport |
| Location: | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
| GPS Coordinates: | 33°59'4"S by 25°36'37"E |
| Area Served: | Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 226 feet (69 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 2 |
| View all routes: | Routes from PLZ |
| More Information: | PLZ Maps & Info |
Facts about San Francisco International Airport (SFO):
- The first international nonstops were ANA/BCPA DC-4s to Vancouver in 1946-47.
- SFO is the largest airport in the Bay Area and the second busiest in California, after Los Angeles International Airport.
- SFO was one of several US airports which operated the Registered Traveler program from April 2007 until funding ended in June 2009, which had allowed travelers to pass through security checkpoints quickly.
- The furthest airport from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is Tôlanaro Airport (FTU), which is located 11,365 miles (18,290 kilometers) away in Tôlanaro, Madagascar.
- Because of San Francisco International Airport's relatively low elevation of 13 feet, planes can take off or land at San Francisco International Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- San Francisco International Airport handled 44,477,209 passengers last year.
- All SkyTeam, Oneworld and non-aligned international carriers operate from Boarding Area A.
- Formerly known as the "South Terminal," Terminal 1 has Boarding Area B and Boarding Area C.
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has 4 runways.
- The closest airport to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is Half Moon Bay AirportHalf Moon Bay Flight Strip (HAF), which is located only 10 miles (16 kilometers) SW of SFO.
Facts about Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ):
- These facilities served the community till 2000 when plans for a major terminal upgrade was drawn-up.
- Because of Port Elizabeth International Airport's relatively low elevation of 226 feet, planes can take off or land at Port Elizabeth International Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- June, 2010 - South African Airways operated an Airbus A340-200 to Port Elizabeth to help manage the extra volume of people during the FIFA World Cup 2010.
- There is also a branch of the South African Air Force Museum at the airport.
- During World War II, the airfield was extended to accommodate 42 Air School for the Royal Air Force and 6 Squadron South African Air Force on the southern and eastern sides of the field.
- The furthest airport from Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) is Princeville Airport (HPV), which is located 11,567 miles (18,615 kilometers) away in Hanalei, Hawaii, United States.
- The closest airport to Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) is Port Alfred Airport (AFD), which is located 79 miles (127 kilometers) ENE of PLZ.
- The airport is located approximately two miles south of the city's central business district.
- Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) has 2 runways.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 10.04 miles (16.17 km) SW | Half Moon Bay AirportHalf Moon Bay Flight Strip (HAF) | Half Moon Bay, California, United States |     |
| 2 | 11.01 miles (17.72 km) NE | Oakland International Airport (OAK) | Oakland (near San Francisco), California, United States | |
| 3 | 14.13 miles (22.75 km) ENE | Hayward Executive Airport (HWD) | Hayward, California, United States | |
| 4 | 17.94 miles (28.87 km) SE | Palo Alto Airport of Santa Clara County (PAO) | Palo Alto, California, United States | |
| 5 | 22.78 miles (36.66 km) SE | Moffett Federal Airfield (NUQ) | Mountain View, California, United States | |
| 6 | 30.17 miles (48.56 km) SE | Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) | San Jose, California, United States | |
| 7 | 30.77 miles (49.52 km) E | Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) | Livermore, California, United States | |
| 8 | 30.95 miles (49.81 km) NE | Buchanan FieldConcord Army Air Base (CCR) | Concord, California, United States | |
| 9 | 36.30 miles (58.42 km) ESE | Reid-Hillview Airport of Santa Clara County (RHV) | San Jose, California, United States | |
| 10 | 37.58 miles (60.47 km) NNW | Marin County Airport (NOT) | Novato, California, United States | |
| 11 | 41.38 miles (66.60 km) N | Napa County Airport (APC) | Napa, California, United States | |
| 12 | 50.73 miles (81.65 km) NNE | Travis Air Force Base Fairfield-Suisun Army Airfield (SUU) | Fairfield, California, United States | |
| 13 | 57.06 miles (91.83 km) NNE | Nut Tree Airport (VCB) | Vacaville, California, United States | |
| 14 | 57.12 miles (91.93 km) SE | Watsonville Municipal Airport (WVI) | Watsonville, California, United States | |
| 15 | 64.94 miles (104.51 km) ENE | Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK) | Stockton, California, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,365.15 miles (18,290.40 km) SE | Tôlanaro Airport (FTU) | Tôlanaro, Madagascar | |
| 2 | 11,303.13 miles (18,190.57 km) S | Pierrefonds Airport (ZSE) | Saint-Pierre, Réunion | |
| 3 | 11,274.07 miles (18,143.82 km) S | Roland Garros Airport (RUN) | St Denis, Réunion, France | |
| 4 | 11,265.49 miles (18,130.00 km) SE | Ampanihy Airport (AMP) | Ampanihy, Madagascar | |
| 5 | 11,249.16 miles (18,103.72 km) S | Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) | Plaisance, Mauritius | |
| 6 | 11,174.49 miles (17,983.56 km) SSE | Mananjary Airport (MNJ) | Mananjary, Madagascar | |
| 7 | 11,155.40 miles (17,952.83 km) SSW | Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport (RRG) | Rodrigues Island, Mauritius | |
| 8 | 11,154.88 miles (17,952.00 km) SSE | Fianarantsoa Airport (WFI) | Fianarantsoa, Madagascar | |
| 9 | 11,066.46 miles (17,809.69 km) SE | Andavadoaka Airport (DVD) | Andavadoaka, Toliara province, Atsimo-Andrefana region, Madagascar | |
| 10 | 11,064.08 miles (17,805.87 km) SE | Manja Airport (MJA) | Manja, Menabe, Madagascar | |
| 11 | 11,050.09 miles (17,783.36 km) SE | Morombe Airport (MXM) | Morombe, Madagascar | |
| 12 | 10,999.69 miles (17,702.25 km) SSE | Toamasino Airport (TMM) | Toamasina, Madagascar | |
| 13 | 10,999.37 miles (17,701.72 km) SSE | Ivato International Airport (TNR) | Antananarivo, Madagascar | |
| 14 | 10,990.13 miles (17,686.86 km) SE | Miandrivazo Airport (ZVA) | Miandrivazo, Madagascar | |
| 15 | 10,969.17 miles (17,653.12 km) SE | Belo sur Tsiribihina Airport (BMD) | Belo sur Tsiribihina, Madagascar | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 78.75 miles (126.73 km) ENE | Port Alfred Airport (AFD) | Port Alfred, South Africa | |
| 2 | 143.28 miles (230.59 km) ENE | East London Airport (ELS) | East London, South Africa | |
| 3 | 184.99 miles (297.72 km) W | George Airport (GRJ) | George, South Africa | |
| 4 | 245.11 miles (394.47 km) NE | Mthatha Airport (UTT) | Mthatha, South Africa | |
| 5 | 304.52 miles (490.08 km) NNE | Mafeteng Airport (MFC) | Mafeteng, Lesotho | |
| 6 | 320.47 miles (515.74 km) NNE | Semonkong Airport (SOK) | Semonkong, Lesotho | |
| 7 | 332.65 miles (535.34 km) NNE | Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU) | Maseru, Lesotho | |
| 8 | 333.67 miles (536.98 km) NNE | Lesobeng Airport (LES) | Lesobeng, Lesotho | |
| 9 | 334.46 miles (538.25 km) NNE | Lebakeng Airport (LEF) | Lebakeng, Lesotho | |
| 10 | 340.38 miles (547.79 km) N | Bloemfontein International Airport (BFN) | Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa | |
| 11 | 350.38 miles (563.88 km) NE | Margate Airport (MGH) | Margate, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| 12 | 361.57 miles (581.90 km) N | Kimberley Airport (KIM) | Kimberley, South Africa | |
| 13 | 382.50 miles (615.57 km) NNE | Leribe Airport (LRB) | Leribe, Lesotho | |
| 14 | 383.44 miles (617.09 km) NNE | Mokhotlong Airport (MKH) | Mokhotlong, Lesotho | |
| 15 | 401.75 miles (646.55 km) W | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Cape Town, South Africa | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,567.15 miles (18,615.48 km) NNE | Princeville Airport (HPV) | Hanalei, Hawaii, United States | |
| 2 | 11,554.19 miles (18,594.63 km) NNE | Lihue Airport (LIH) | Lihue, Hawaii, United States | |
| 3 | 11,548.86 miles (18,586.04 km) NNE | Dillingham Airfield (HDH) | Mokuleia, Hawaii, United States | |
| 4 | 11,547.60 miles (18,584.02 km) NNE | PMRF Barking Sands (BKH) | Kekaha, Hawaii, United States | |
| 5 | 11,544.96 miles (18,579.76 km) NNE | Wheeler AAF (HHI) | Wahiawa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 6 | 11,543.44 miles (18,577.32 km) NNE | Port Allen Airport (PAK) | Hanapepe, Hawaii, United States | |
| 7 | 11,540.26 miles (18,572.21 km) N | Kalaupapa Airport (LUP) | Kalaupapa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 8 | 11,535.54 miles (18,564.60 km) NNE | Honolulu International Airport (HNL) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 9 | 11,535.54 miles (18,564.60 km) NNE | Hickam Field (HIK) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 10 | 11,534.95 miles (18,563.65 km) N | Molokai Airport (MKK) | Kaunakakai, Hawaii, United States | |
| 11 | 11,532.58 miles (18,559.84 km) NNE | Kalaeloa Airport (NAX) | Kapolei, Hawaii, United States | |
| 12 | 11,526.35 miles (18,549.82 km) N | Kapalua Airport (JHM) | Lahaina, Hawaii, United States | |
| 13 | 11,524.08 miles (18,546.17 km) N | Kahului Airport (OGG) | Kahului, Hawaii, United States | |
| 14 | 11,520.12 miles (18,539.80 km) N | Hana Airport (HNM) | Hana, Hawaii, United States | |
| 15 | 11,511.49 miles (18,525.90 km) N | Lanai Airport (LNY) | Lanai City, Hawaii, United States | |