Let’s break it down without getting too science-y. London and Sydney are 16,987 kilometers apart (that’s about 10,500 miles). To put that in perspective, that’s like flying from London to New York and back, and then almost doing it again.
Most planes cruise at about 900 km/h (560 mph). So even in a straight line, you’re looking at nearly 19 hours of pure air time. Add in headwinds, which fight against the plane on the way back, and you can easily tack on another hour or two.
The Stopover Game Changer
Here’s where things get interesting. Almost every commercial flight will stop somewhere to refuel. The most common pit stops are Dubai, Singapore, Doha, or Bangkok. Think of it as a bonus mini-adventure.
You’ll land in Dubai after about 7 hours, stretch your legs, grab a coffee, and maybe buy a ridiculously overpriced scarf. That layover can be two hours or ten, depending on your airline. It’s not exactly a vacation, but it breaks the journey into manageable chunks.
