Cairns to Melbourne
3h 18m The flight from Cairns International Airport (CNS) to Melbourne Airport (MEL) covers 2,314 km (1,438 miles) and takes approximately 3h 18m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads south on an initial great-circle bearing of 182°, passing near 27.3° S, 145.3° 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 | 4h 12m | 4h 38m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 2h 58m | 3h 23m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 2h 34m | 2h 59m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 2h 43m | 3h 09m |
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 | MEL | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Cairns International Airport | Melbourne Airport |
| City | Cairns | Melbourne |
| Country | Australia | Australia |
| ICAO | YBCS | YMML |
| Coordinates | -16.8789, 145.7495 | -37.6707, 144.8379 |
| Elevation | 10 ft | 434 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Cairns to Melbourne?
A non-stop flight from Cairns (CNS) to Melbourne (MEL) takes about 3h 18m. The great-circle distance is 2,314 km (1,438 miles, 1,249 nautical miles), flying south on an initial bearing of 182°.
How far is Cairns from Melbourne?
2,314 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 1,438 miles or 1,249 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 MEL?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 2,314 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.
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.