Cairns to Los Angeles
14h 48m The flight from Cairns International Airport (CNS) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) covers 11,571 km (7,190 miles) and takes approximately 14h 48m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-east on an initial great-circle bearing of 58°, passing near 12.6° N, 170.8° W 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 | 21h 02m | 21h 27m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 14h 50m | 15h 15m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 12h 51m | 13h 17m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 13h 37m | 14h 02m |
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 | LAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Cairns International Airport | Los Angeles International Airport |
| City | Cairns | Los Angeles |
| Country | Australia | United States |
| ICAO | YBCS | KLAX |
| Coordinates | -16.8789, 145.7495 | 33.9425, -118.408 |
| Elevation | 10 ft | 125 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Cairns to Los Angeles?
A non-stop flight from Cairns (CNS) to Los Angeles (LAX) takes about 14h 48m. The great-circle distance is 11,571 km (7,190 miles, 6,248 nautical miles), flying north-east on an initial bearing of 58°.
How far is Cairns from Los Angeles?
11,571 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 7,190 miles or 6,248 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 LAX?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 11,571 km the route is within reach of long-range widebodies, though not every city pair is served non-stop. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
What should I expect on a 14h 48m flight?
Anything past six hours is a long-haul flight: expect at least one meal service, a significant time-zone shift, and enough sitting that circulation and hydration start to matter. Cabin altitude, dry air and disrupted sleep do more damage to a training routine than the flight itself.
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.