Flight Miles Calculator

How this is calculated

Distance is the great-circle distance between the two airports — the shortest path over the earth's surface. Actual flown distance is usually a little longer, because aircraft follow airways rather than a straight line, and longer still on a connecting itinerary. Frequent flyer programs generally base earning on the great-circle figure, which is why this is the right number to use.

Miles earned is distance multiplied by your cabin and status multipliers. Most programs award a percentage of distance based on fare class, so a deeply discounted economy ticket can earn well under 100% of the mileage flown. Treat the figure here as a typical case rather than a promise from your program.

Value per mile is what each mile is worth in an award redemption: the cash price of the ticket, minus the taxes and fees you still pay on the award, divided by the number of miles. A redemption at 1 cent per mile is usually poor; 2 cents and above is generally considered good. The threshold that makes it worth doing is yours to set, which is why the target value is an input.

Why great-circle distance is the right measure

It is not a perfect model of what the aircraft flies, but it is the model the airlines use when they award miles — and it is stable, so the same route gives the same answer regardless of which routing you happen to be sold. That makes it the correct basis for estimating what a flight earns.

When using miles is a bad idea

• Low cents-per-mile. If a redemption works out under about 1.5 cents, you are usually better off paying cash and saving the miles for a better opportunity.
• Cash fares that are already cheap. Short domestic flights and sale fares rarely produce good award value, because the cash alternative is low.
• Award availability is the real constraint. A good paper valuation is irrelevant if the saver-level seat is not available on your dates — see booking with points or miles.
• High taxes and fees on the award. Some programs pass through large surcharges, which can wipe out the advantage entirely. The taxes field is there so you can see this.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many miles do I earn for a flight?

Usually the great-circle distance between the two airports, multiplied by a percentage set by your fare class and cabin, plus any elite bonus. A deeply discounted economy fare may earn well below 100% of the distance flown, while business and first earn substantially more.

How do I calculate the distance of a flight?

Use the great-circle distance between the two airports — the shortest path over the earth's surface. That is what this calculator does, and it is the same basis most frequent flyer programs use when awarding miles. Actual flown distance is slightly longer on a real routing.

How many air miles is a 2-hour flight?

Roughly 800 to 1,000 miles for a typical short-haul sector, depending on the route. Two hours of flying covers somewhere between about 700 and 1,100 statute miles — regional routes with slower aircraft sit at the low end.

How many miles is a 5-hour flight?

Roughly 2,300 to 2,700 miles for a transcontinental or short international sector. Westbound flights cover the same distance but take longer, because of headwinds — the distance is the same, the time is not.

Are my miles worth more than cash?

It depends entirely on the redemption. The test is cents per mile: the cash price minus any award taxes and fees, divided by the miles required. Above roughly 2 cents is generally good, below about 1.5 cents is usually poor, and anything in between is a judgement call.

Does a connecting flight earn more miles than a nonstop?

Sometimes, but not reliably. Programs generally award based on the great-circle distance between origin and destination, so a connection through a hub does not automatically earn more even though you fly further. Some programs award per segment, which can earn more on the same trip.

Do miles expire?

Many programs expire miles after a period of account inactivity — commonly 18 to 24 months. Any earning or redemption activity usually resets the clock. Check your own program's rule, since this varies and changes.