Routes · From SYD

Sydney (SYD) to Cairns (CNS) flights

Nonstop from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns International Airport: distance, flying time, which airlines fly it and how often.

Distance

1,974km

1,227 mi, great circle

Flying time

3h 01m

typical, gate to gate

Flights a day

8.1

average, November 2026

Airlines

passenger airlines

Airlines flying SYD to CNS

Route map

The shortest path over the Earth's surface. Actual tracks vary with winds and airspace. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Cheapest recent fare

Fares found in recent searches load here. You can also compare SYD to CNS fares by month.

Both directions

Cairns International Airport (CNS) · we don't have CNS's route list yet
All nonstop routes from Sydney (SYD)
SYD to CNS on the flight-path tool

Related guides

Flying explained · 8 min read

Why Westbound Flights Take Longer: The Jet Stream, With Examples

Westbound flights take longer because they fly into the jet stream's headwinds. See how it works, real route times, and when the gap is biggest.

October 16, 2026

Frequently asked questions

How long is the flight from Sydney to Cairns?

About 3h 01m gate to gate for the 1,974 km (1,227 mile) trip, estimated from distance. Schedules vary by airline and season, and winds can add or save time.

Which airlines fly nonstop from SYD to CNS?

Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia, with about 8.1 flights a day between them in our data (AeroDataBox, November 2026).