Flight time & jet lag: Buenos Aires to New York
Buenos Aires (EZE) → New York (JFK) · 8,535 km (5,303 mi) · long haul · north america south america
The flight from Buenos Aires (EZE) to New York (JFK) takes 9h 59m to 11h 15m covering 8,535 km. New York is 2 hours behind Buenos Aires, making this a light-severity jet lag route traveling west. Full circadian adjustment typically takes 2 days.
- Route:
- Buenos Aires (EZE) → New York (JFK)
- Distance:
- 8,535 km (5,303 mi)
- Flight time:
- 9h 59m to 11h 15m gate-to-gate
- Time difference:
- -2 hours
- Jet lag severity:
- light (2 zones crossed)
- Recovery time:
- ~2 days
- Direction:
- westbound
- Route type:
- long-haul, north america south america
- Origin timezone:
- America/Argentina/Buenos_Aires
- Destination timezone:
- America/New_York
Buenos Aires to New York: Route overview
This long-haul route from Buenos Aires (EZE) to New York (JFK) covers 8,535 km in approximately 9h 59m to 11h 15m, crossing 2 time zones westbound. With only a 2-hour time difference, most travelers adjust within a day, though the long-haul journey may still cause travel fatigue. Additionally, this route crosses the equator, meaning seasons are reversed — if departing in winter, you arrive in summer conditions, which affects both your wardrobe planning and daylight exposure patterns for jet lag recovery.
What makes the Buenos Aires–New York route different
With only 2 hours of time difference, this route sits at the threshold where jet lag is barely noticeable for most travelers. The bigger factor is likely the 9h 59m to 11h 15m flight duration itself and any associated sleep deprivation.
Arrival strategy for New York
Arriving in New York after a 2-hour westward shift gives you a slightly longer day. Your body clock will be 2 hours ahead of local time, so you may feel sleepy earlier than locals. Compensate by seeking bright afternoon and evening light in New York, which helps delay your body clock. Try to stay awake until at least 21:00 local time on your first evening.
Circadian rhythm analysis: Buenos Aires → New York
When you arrive in New York, your circadian rhythm is still running on Buenos Aires time. At 09:00 New York time, your body reads 11:00 — a reasonable waking hour internally, so morning performance should be manageable. The main westbound challenge is that by 22:00 local, your body clock reads 00:00 — the deep night on your internal clock. You will feel intensely sleepy well before the local bedtime. Your circadian system adjusts at roughly 1 to 1.5 hours per day, so expect 2 days for full alignment.
Your body clock in New York (day 1)
How your body clock maps to local time upon arrival, before any adjustment.
| New York Time | Your Body Clock (Buenos Aires) | How You Feel | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06:00 | 08:00 | Morning alertness building. Moderate energy. | Good window for bright light exposure if adjusting eastward. |
| 09:00 | 11:00 | Peak morning alertness on body time. | Productive window. Use this energy for important tasks. |
| 12:00 | 14:00 | Post-lunch dip. Moderate energy. | Brief 20-min nap acceptable if severely fatigued. Avoid long naps. |
| 15:00 | 17:00 | Afternoon alertness on body time. | Good window for light exposure if adjusting westward. |
| 18:00 | 20:00 | Evening wind-down. Melatonin starting to rise. | Dim lights and avoid screens if you need to stay awake longer. |
| 21:00 | 23:00 | Natural sleep window on body time. | Ideal time to sleep if it aligns with local night. If not, use bright light to delay. |
| 00:00 | 02:00 | Deep sleep phase. Intense drowsiness likely. | If awake, use bright light to push clock forward. Avoid driving or complex tasks. |
| 03:00 | 05:00 | Early wake phase. Groggy, low energy. | Light physical activity helps. Coffee is acceptable if 8+ hours before target bedtime. |
Pre-departure preparation
For this 2-hour westward shift to New York, start 2 days before departure by delaying your bedtime by 60 minutes each night. Seek bright light in the evening hours to help push your clock later. On the flight, try to stay awake if arriving during New York's daytime. This gradual shift can significantly ease your transition upon arrival.
Your first 72 hours in New York
Day 1 in New York: Your body is ~2 hours off local time. Stay active and seek afternoon sunlight. Push bedtime to at least 21:00 local. Eat at local mealtimes even if not hungry. Caffeine is fine before 16:00, not after. Day 2: ~1 hours off. Continue late afternoon (15:00–18:00) light exposure. Sleep quality should improve. Day 3: ~0 hours off. You should feel mostly adjusted. Return to normal activities.
Recovery timeline
Full circadian adjustment for the Buenos Aires → New York route typically takes 2 days, based on the body's natural adaptation rate of ~1 to 1.5 hours per day for westbound travel. During this period, expect gradually improving sleep quality, with the most noticeable symptoms (fatigue, difficulty concentrating, appetite changes) during the first 2 days. By day 2, most travelers report feeling fully synchronized with New York's schedule.
Route Planner
Adjust departure date for DST-accurate results.
Business hours: Buenos Aires vs New York
Buenos Aires and New York share 7 overlapping business hours, providing a reasonable window for scheduling calls and meetings. The most productive overlap falls between 11:00 and 17:00 in Buenos Aires (09:00–15:00 in New York).
| Buenos Aires | New York |
|---|---|
| 11:00 | 09:00 |
| 12:00 | 10:00 |
| 13:00 | 11:00 |
| 14:00 | 12:00 |
| 15:00 | 13:00 |
| 16:00 | 14:00 |
| 17:00 | 15:00 |
- 11:00 Buenos Aires / 09:00 New York
- 14:00 Buenos Aires / 12:00 New York
Seasonal and climate factors
Flight times between Buenos Aires and New York can vary by 15–30 minutes seasonally due to shifting wind patterns along this long-haul corridor. New York at 41°N experiences moderate seasonal daylight variation. Summer offers longer evenings useful for westward adjustment, while winter's earlier sunsets support eastward adjustment schedules.
How the Buenos Aires–New York flight time is estimated
The 9h 59m to 11h 15m estimate for Buenos Aires to New York is derived from the 8,535-km great-circle distance. Long-haul flights spend most of their duration at optimal cruise altitude (typically 35,000–40,000 feet), achieving effective speeds of 820–900 km/h. An additional 30–50 minutes accounts for taxi, takeoff, climb, descent, approach, and taxi at both EZE and JFK. Actual routing through controlled airspace may add 3–8% distance beyond the great-circle path due to air traffic corridors and restricted zones along the way.
Wind patterns and flight duration
Prevailing winds along the Buenos Aires–New York corridor have a moderate effect on flight time. Westbound flights may encounter mild headwinds from the general west-to-east upper atmospheric flow.
Practical travel context
This long-haul route connects Buenos Aires (Argentina) with New York (United States).
Frequently asked questions: Buenos Aires to New York
How long is the flight from Buenos Aires to New York?
What is the time difference between Buenos Aires and New York?
How bad is jet lag flying from Buenos Aires to New York?
Can I minimize jet lag on the Buenos Aires to New York route?
Is it better to fly during the day or at night from Buenos Aires to New York?
How long does jet lag last from Buenos Aires to New York?
What about the return flight from New York to Buenos Aires?
More questions about this route
Should I adjust my schedule before flying from Buenos Aires to New York?
What are the best business hours to schedule meetings between Buenos Aires and New York?
How is the Buenos Aires to New York flight time calculated?
Assumptions & notes
- Flight time based on Haversine great-circle distance (8,535 km) with speed heuristics.
- Cruise speed: 820–900 km/h + 30–50 min ground/air overhead.
- Time difference is approximate and may shift during DST transitions.
- Jet lag plan is general wellness guidance, not medical advice.
- Route: EZE (America/Argentina/Buenos_Aires) → JFK (America/New_York)