Cairns to Cebu City/Lapu-Lapu City
5h 13m The flight from Cairns International Airport (CNS) to Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB) covers 3,856 km (2,396 miles) and takes approximately 5h 13m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 320°, passing near 3.3° S, 134.7° E at its midpoint.
The route
The great-circle path — the shortest line between the two airports across the curve of the earth. On a flat map it looks bent; on a globe it is straight.
Flight time at different cruise speeds
Aircraft type, winds and routing all move the real number. This is the same distance flown at different speeds, plus the 25-minute ground and climb allowance.
| Typical of | Cruise speed | Airborne | Gate to gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop / regional | 550 km/h | 7h 01m | 7h 26m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 4h 57m | 5h 22m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 4h 17m | 4h 42m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 4h 32m | 4h 57m |
Headwinds on an eastbound long-haul routinely add 30–60 minutes; the same route westbound can be quicker. Airlines publish schedules with padding built in.
Both airports
| CNS | CEB | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Cairns International Airport | Mactan Cebu International Airport |
| City | Cairns | Cebu City/Lapu-Lapu City |
| Country | Australia | Philippines |
| ICAO | YBCS | RPVM |
| Coordinates | -16.8789, 145.7495 | 10.3093, 123.9797 |
| Elevation | 10 ft | 31 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Cairns to Cebu City/Lapu-Lapu City?
A non-stop flight from Cairns (CNS) to Cebu City/Lapu-Lapu City (CEB) takes about 5h 13m. The great-circle distance is 3,856 km (2,396 miles, 2,082 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 320°.
How far is Cairns from Cebu City/Lapu-Lapu City?
3,856 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 2,396 miles or 2,082 nautical miles. Actual flown distance is usually 2–5% longer because aircraft follow airways, avoid weather and route around restricted airspace.
Is there a non-stop flight between CNS and CEB?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 3,856 km the route is comfortably within range of a non-stop service if an airline chooses to fly it. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
Other routes from Cairns
Airport coordinates from OurAirports (public domain). Distance is a great-circle calculation; flight time uses the model described on the method page. Flight times are great-circle estimates for planning only — always check the airline's published schedule.