DRW to MEL: Distance and Flight Time
The distance from Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin (DRW) to Melbourne Airport (MEL) is 3,132 km (1,946 mi). A typical nonstop flight covers it in about 4h 25m, heading southeast. The distance is the same in either direction (MEL to DRW).
How far is it from Darwin to Melbourne?
The great-circle distance between Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin (DRW) and Melbourne Airport (MEL) is 3,132 km (1,946 mi, 1,691 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 DRW to MEL?
A nonstop flight typically takes about 4h 25m. This is an estimate from the distance; actual block times depend on the aircraft, winds and the exact routing. MEL is roughly southeast of DRW.
How is the DRW to MEL route written in code?
The pair is written DRW-MEL in IATA codes and YPDN-YMML in ICAO codes, the form used on a flight plan. Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin is DRW (YPDN), Melbourne Airport is MEL (YMML).
| DRW | MEL | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin | Melbourne Airport |
| ICAO code | YPDN | YMML |
| Country | Australia | Australia |
| Elevation | 103 ft | 434 ft |
| Rank by connections | #340 | #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 331 ft (101 m) higher than DRW, which is a real difference in air density on takeoff.
Airlines flying DRW to MEL
2 airlines appear on this route in the open route dataset, 2 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 |
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 Darwin from Melbourne?
Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin (DRW) and Melbourne Airport (MEL) are 3,132 km (1,946 mi, 1,691 nautical miles) apart in a straight line.
How long is the flight from DRW to MEL?
A typical nonstop flight between DRW and MEL takes about 4h 25m. Actual times vary with aircraft type, winds and routing.
What direction is MEL from DRW?
Melbourne Airport (MEL) lies roughly southeast of Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin (DRW).
Which airlines fly DRW to MEL?
2 airlines appear on the DRW-MEL route in the open dataset, including Jetstar Airways, Qantas.
Related routes
Other routes from Darwin (DRW):
Other routes from Melbourne (MEL):
DRW airport code · MEL airport code · Busiest airports worldwide