5/ 5 reviews
Easy in & out
“The placement of Africa's fastest train is perfect to welcome arrival passengers quick access to the richest square mile.”
Lwazi Shamase5★ on Google
Airports / South Africa / JNB
Large airport · JNB
O.R. Tambo International Airport.
Johannesburg, South Africa · 5,558 ft elevation. A private-aviation gateway on the Bravo register.
4.2/5
Google rating
41,929 ratings
0
Operators based
5,558
Elevation ft
Scheduled service
Johannesburg, South AfricaELEV 5,558 FTLarge airportScheduled service
4.2
Google rating
41,929
Google reviews
ratings on Google
5,558
Field elevation
feet above sea level
8
Nearest alternate
nm to QRA
Field standing
#3 / 6
South Africa airports by Google rating
4.2★ across 41929 Google ratings , ranked against 6 rated South Africa fields.
8 nm
To the nearest alternate
Rand Airport (QRA), 6 fields within 50 nm.
Overview
Located in Johannesburg, South Africa, O.R. Tambo International Airport (FAOR / JNB) operates as a large commercial airport. Field elevation is 5,558 feet above sea level. Scheduled carriers operate here, and the field also sees regular private and charter activity.
While no charter operators list JNB as their home base, the field is reachable for repositioned charter aircraft from nearby bases. The closest alternate fields are Rand Airport (QRA, 8 nm), Grand Central Airport (GCJ, 11 nm), and Waterkloof Air Force Base (WKF, 19 nm). The field has 2 runways, the longest 14,495-foot paved runway, long enough for charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
Trip costs from JNB are driven by the aircraft category flown and how far it must reposition. You may also see the field referenced as Johannesburg International Airport and FAJS. Browse operators flying from the area or estimate a trip cost from JNB to plan your flight.
Run an FBO at FAOR? Become the preferred FBO
What fliers highlight.
From the stored review texts
5/ 5 reviews
Terminal & facilities
“The ease of access between Terminal A (International) , Terminal B (Domestic) and Central Terminal that binds the two for the hybrid transit connection.”
Lwazi Shamase5★ on Google
4/ 5 reviews
Staff & service
“Baggage area is immediately after the immigration and baggage service was quick.”
Jaspal Singh5★ on Google
Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for O.R. Tambo International Airport, every quote is verbatim from a real review.
Field capability
ICAO
FAOR
IATA
JNB
FAA / Local
FAOR
Elevation
5,558 ft
Coordinates
26.1401° S · 28.2468° E
Airspace
G · GolfClass G, GolfUncontrolled field, no tower. Pilots self-announce and sequence themselves on the common traffic advisory frequency.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Large
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs South Africa fields
state range 20–5,700 ft
At 5,558 ft, JNB sits higher than 95% of the 62 South Africa fields on the register, a high-elevation field where density altitude can trim aircraft performance on warm days.
Runways & aircraft access
2 runways
longest 14,495 ft
- 03L/21R14,495 ft × 200 ftAsphaltLighted
- 03R/21L11,155 ft × 197 ftAsphaltLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 14,495 ft
JNB's 14,495 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
- Turboprop3,000 ft
- Light Jet3,500 ft
- Midsize Jet4,500 ft
- Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
- Heavy Jet5,500 ft
- VIP Airliner6,000 ft
Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation, and at 5,558 ft this field's density altitude can extend the runway a jet actually needs on warm days. Confirm performance with the operator.
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 8nmQRARand AirportJohannesburg
- 11nmGCJGrand Central AirportMidrand
- 19nmWKFWaterkloof Air Force BasePretoria
- 20nmFASKSwartkop Air Force BasePretoria
- 21nmHLALanseria International AirportJohannesburg
- 29nmPRYWonderboom AirportPretoria
Location
Open the full mapFAOR · O.R. Tambo International Airport · Johannesburg, South Africa
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from JNB on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Boston (BED) | 6,846 nm | 16h 19m |
| New York (TEB) | 6,944 nm | 16h 33m |
| Miami (MIA) | 7,004 nm | 16h 41m |
| Palm Beach (PBI) | 7,010 nm | 16h 42m |
| Washington DC (IAD) | 7,071 nm | 16h 51m |
| Nashville (BNA) | 7,471 nm | 17h 46m |
| Chicago (ORD) | 7,569 nm | 18h 0m |
| Houston (HOU) | 7,832 nm | 18h 37m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use JNB?
- O.R. Tambo International Airport's longest paved runway is 14,495 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
- What is the longest runway at JNB?
- O.R. Tambo International Airport has 2 runways; the longest measures 14,495 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- What is the nearest major airport to JNB?
- The closest alternate is Rand Airport (QRA), about 8 nm away, followed by Grand Central Airport (GCJ) at 11 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from JNB to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Boston about 16h 19m (6,846 nm), New York about 16h 33m (6,944 nm), Miami about 16h 41m (7,004 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.