CNS to MEL: Distance and Flight Time
The distance from Cairns International Airport (CNS) to Melbourne Airport (MEL) is 2,314 km (1,438 mi). A typical nonstop flight covers it in about 3h 25m, heading south. The distance is the same in either direction (MEL to CNS).
How far is it from Cairns to Melbourne?
The great-circle distance between Cairns International Airport (CNS) and Melbourne Airport (MEL) is 2,314 km (1,438 mi, 1,249 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 CNS to MEL?
A nonstop flight typically takes about 3h 25m. This is an estimate from the distance; actual block times depend on the aircraft, winds and the exact routing. MEL is roughly south of CNS.
How is the CNS to MEL route written in code?
The pair is written CNS-MEL in IATA codes and YBCS-YMML in ICAO codes, the form used on a flight plan. Cairns International Airport is CNS (YBCS), Melbourne Airport is MEL (YMML).
| CNS | MEL | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Cairns International Airport | Melbourne Airport |
| ICAO code | YBCS | YMML |
| Country | Australia | Australia |
| Elevation | 10 ft | 434 ft |
| Rank by connections | #290 | #120 |
Both ICAO codes start with Y, the prefix ICAO assigns to Australia, so this is a route inside one ICAO region. How ICAO prefixes are laid out.
MEL sits 424 ft (129 m) higher than CNS, which is a real difference in air density on takeoff.
Airlines flying CNS to MEL
3 airlines appear on this route in the open route dataset, 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JQ | Jetstar Airways | JST | Jetstar | Active |
| QF | Qantas | QFA | Qantas | Active |
| TT | Tiger Airways Australia | TGW | Go Cat | Active |
A further 1 carrier sell this pair as a codeshare without operating it: 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 Cairns from Melbourne?
Cairns International Airport (CNS) and Melbourne Airport (MEL) are 2,314 km (1,438 mi, 1,249 nautical miles) apart in a straight line.
How long is the flight from CNS to MEL?
A typical nonstop flight between CNS and MEL takes about 3h 25m. Actual times vary with aircraft type, winds and routing.
What direction is MEL from CNS?
Melbourne Airport (MEL) lies roughly south of Cairns International Airport (CNS).
Which airlines fly CNS to MEL?
3 airlines appear on the CNS-MEL route in the open dataset, including Jetstar Airways, Qantas, Tiger Airways Australia.
Related routes
Other routes from Cairns (CNS):
Other routes from Melbourne (MEL):
CNS airport code · MEL airport code · Busiest airports worldwide