CAI to IST: Distance and Flight Time
The distance from Cairo International Airport (CAI) to İstanbul Airport (IST) is 1,264 km (786 mi). A typical nonstop flight covers it in about 2h 5m, heading north. The distance is the same in either direction (IST to CAI).
How far is it from Cairo to Istanbul?
The great-circle distance between Cairo International Airport (CAI) and İstanbul Airport (IST) is 1,264 km (786 mi, 683 nautical miles). That is the straight-line distance; a real flight is a little longer because of air-traffic routing.
How long is the flight from CAI to IST?
A nonstop flight typically takes about 2h 5m. This is an estimate from the distance; actual block times depend on the aircraft, winds and the exact routing. IST is roughly north of CAI.
How is the CAI to IST route written in code?
The pair is written CAI-IST in IATA codes and HECA-LTFM in ICAO codes, the form used on a flight plan. Cairo International Airport is CAI (HECA), İstanbul Airport is IST (LTFM).
| CAI | IST | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Cairo International Airport | İstanbul Airport |
| ICAO code | HECA | LTFM |
| Country | Egypt | Turkey |
| Elevation | 322 ft | 325 ft |
| Rank by connections | #103 | #18 |
HECA starts with H, the ICAO prefix for northeast Africa; LTFM starts with L, the prefix for southern Europe. How ICAO prefixes are laid out.
The two fields sit at almost the same height, within 3 ft (1 m) of each other.
Airlines flying CAI to IST
2 airlines appear on this route in the open route dataset, 2 of them still listed as active. Each row gives the IATA code, the ICAO code and the radio callsign, which is what an air traffic controller hears:
| IATA | Airline | ICAO | Callsign | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS | Egyptair | MSR | Egyptair | Active |
| TK | Turkish Airlines | THY | Turkair | Active |
Route and carrier data comes from the OpenFlights open dataset, regenerated here on . It is a historical snapshot of scheduled connections, not a live schedule, and it includes codeshare listings, so some carriers shown may no longer operate the route or exist. How we build this · Data and sources.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Cairo from Istanbul?
Cairo International Airport (CAI) and İstanbul Airport (IST) are 1,264 km (786 mi, 683 nautical miles) apart in a straight line.
How long is the flight from CAI to IST?
A typical nonstop flight between CAI and IST takes about 2h 5m. Actual times vary with aircraft type, winds and routing.
What direction is IST from CAI?
İstanbul Airport (IST) lies roughly north of Cairo International Airport (CAI).
Which airlines fly CAI to IST?
2 airlines appear on the CAI-IST route in the open dataset, including Egyptair, Turkish Airlines.
Related routes
Other routes from Cairo (CAI):
Other routes from Istanbul (IST):
CAI airport code · IST airport code · Busiest airports worldwide