AKL to CNS: Distance and Flight Time
The distance from Auckland International Airport (AKL) to Cairns International Airport (CNS) is 3,620 km (2,249 mi). A typical nonstop flight covers it in about 5h, heading northwest. The distance is the same in either direction (CNS to AKL).
How far is it from Auckland to Cairns?
The great-circle distance between Auckland International Airport (AKL) and Cairns International Airport (CNS) is 3,620 km (2,249 mi, 1,955 nautical miles). That is the straight-line distance; a real flight is a little longer because of air-traffic routing.
How long is the flight from AKL to CNS?
A nonstop flight typically takes about 5h. This is an estimate from the distance; actual block times depend on the aircraft, winds and the exact routing. CNS is roughly northwest of AKL.
How is the AKL to CNS route written in code?
The pair is written AKL-CNS in IATA codes and NZAA-YBCS in ICAO codes, the form used on a flight plan. Auckland International Airport is AKL (NZAA), Cairns International Airport is CNS (YBCS).
| AKL | CNS | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Auckland International Airport | Cairns International Airport |
| ICAO code | NZAA | YBCS |
| Country | New Zealand | Australia |
| Elevation | 23 ft | 10 ft |
| Rank by connections | #154 | #290 |
NZAA starts with N, the ICAO prefix for the South Pacific; YBCS starts with Y, the prefix for Australia. How ICAO prefixes are laid out.
The two fields sit at almost the same height, within 13 ft (4 m) of each other.
Airlines flying AKL to CNS
1 airline appear on this route in the open route dataset, 1 of them still listed as active. Each row gives the IATA code, the ICAO code and the radio callsign, which is what an air traffic controller hears:
| IATA | Airline | ICAO | Callsign | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ | Air New Zealand | ANZ | New Zealand | Active |
A further 2 carriers sell this pair as a codeshare without operating it: US, VA.
Route and carrier data comes from the OpenFlights open dataset, regenerated here on . It is a historical snapshot of scheduled connections, not a live schedule, and it includes codeshare listings, so some carriers shown may no longer operate the route or exist. How we build this · Data and sources.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Auckland from Cairns?
Auckland International Airport (AKL) and Cairns International Airport (CNS) are 3,620 km (2,249 mi, 1,955 nautical miles) apart in a straight line.
How long is the flight from AKL to CNS?
A typical nonstop flight between AKL and CNS takes about 5h. Actual times vary with aircraft type, winds and routing.
What direction is CNS from AKL?
Cairns International Airport (CNS) lies roughly northwest of Auckland International Airport (AKL).
Which airlines fly AKL to CNS?
1 airline appear on the AKL-CNS route in the open dataset, including Air New Zealand.
Related routes
Other routes from Auckland (AKL):
Other routes from Cairns (CNS):
AKL airport code · CNS airport code · Busiest airports worldwide