How this calculator works

The distance shown is the great-circle distance: the shortest path between two airports over the surface of the Earth. It's calculated on the WGS-84 model of the Earth, the same one used by GPS and in aviation, which accounts for the Earth being slightly flattened at the poles. Add stops to work out a multi-leg trip, or tick the flight back for a return.

Why your airline may show a different figure

Many airlines and frequent flyer programmes don't use the exact great-circle distance. Some use published industry distance tables between cities, some round figures or use city-to-city rather than airport-to-airport distances, and a few credit a fixed amount per flight instead. So a programme's figure can differ from ours by a few miles, or occasionally more. The distance you actually fly is usually a little longer too, because of winds, air routes and closed airspace.

From distance to miles and status

Programmes that reward distance, such as KrisFlyer, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles and Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles, credit a percentage of this distance depending on the fare you book. Cheap economy fares may earn 25% or 50%, and premium fares 150% or more. Others, including United, Delta, American Airlines and British Airways, reward what you spend instead. The status calculator works this out for 37 programmes, and our guides explain the rules.

Looking for a particular trip? See distances and miles for popular routes from Los Angeles, New York, London and Singapore.