Australia Β· 1,438 miles (2,314 km)

Cairns (CNS) to Melbourne (MEL) flights

Alaska Atmos Rewards logo
7,500 milesCheapest economy award, one way, with Alaska Atmos Rewards

An economy award from Cairns (CNS) to Melbourne (MEL) starts at 7,500 miles one way with Alaska Atmos Rewards on Qantas, plus taxes and fees from $35. 3 airlines fly nonstop from Cairns (CNS) to Melbourne (MEL): Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia. The two airports are 1,438 miles (2,314 km) apart. Qantas is in oneworld. There are also 9 ways to fly it with one stop, through Townsville, Proserpine and Sydney and more.

How many miles CNS to MEL costs

Economy, one way, on the nonstop flights, from the Award Flight Pricer's award charts. Ranges run off-peak to peak; "from" is the floor of a dynamic price.

ProgramEconomyTaxes and fees
Alaska Atmos RewardsOn Qantas7,500$35–65
American AAdvantageOn Qantas10,000$15–45
British Airways ClubOn Qantas11,000$15–45
Iberia ClubOn Qantas11,000$15–45
Qatar Airways Privilege ClubOn Qantas11,000$15–45
Finnair PlusOn Qantas13,000$24.10–113.25
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyerOn Virgin Australia13,000$15–105
Air Canada AeroplanOn Virgin Australia15,000$43–73
ANA Mileage ClubOn Virgin Australia15,000$15–45
Cathay Pacific Asia MilesOn Qantas15,000$15–45
JAL Mileage BankOn Jetstar15,000$15–45
Qantas Frequent FlyerOn Jetstar16,600$24.10–113.25

Business and first class prices, and 2 more programs, are in the Award Flight Pricer. Chart prices need award space on your date, so search it before you transfer points.

Compare every program in the Award Flight Pricer

Airlines flying nonstop from CNS to MEL

  • Jetstar logo
    JetstarNot in an alliance Β· bookable with 1 programWho books it
  • Qantas logo
    Qantasoneworld Β· bookable with 11 programsWho books it
  • Virgin Australia logo
    Virgin AustraliaNot in an alliance Β· bookable with 4 programsWho books it

Book CNS to MEL with points

Loyalty programs that can book at least one of the nonstop airlines, from the Award Booking Guide.

CNS to MEL with one stop

9 connections, most direct first. 2-stop routings and flight times are in Routes with Pro.

  • Via Townsville (TSV)Qantas the whole way
    Qantas logo
    ZL
    Jetstar logo
    Qantas logo
  • Via Proserpine (PPP)Skytrans, then Jetstar
    QN
    Jetstar logo
  • Via Sydney (SYD)Jetstar, Qantas and 1 more the whole way
    Jetstar logo
    Qantas logo
    Virgin Australia logo
    Jetstar logo
    Qantas logo
    Virgin Australia logo
  • Via Brisbane (BNE)Jetstar, Qantas and 1 more the whole way
    Jetstar logo
    Qantas logo
    Virgin Australia logo
    Jetstar logo
    Qantas logo
    Virgin Australia logo
  • Via Adelaide (ADL)Jetstar the whole way
    Jetstar logo
    Jetstar logo
    Qantas logo
    Virgin Australia logo
  • Via Sunshine Coast (MCY)Jetstar the whole way
    Jetstar logo
    Jetstar logo
    Virgin Australia logo
    Qantas logo
  • Via Coolangatta (Gold Coast) (OOL)Jetstar the whole way
    Jetstar logo
    Jetstar logo
    Qantas logo
    Virgin Australia logo
  • Via Alice Springs (ASP)Airnorth, then Qantas
    TL
    Qantas logo
  • Via Ayers Rock (AYQ)Qantas, then Jetstar and Virgin Australia
    Qantas logo
    Jetstar logo
    Virgin Australia logo

CNS to MEL: common questions

How many miles does CNS to MEL cost?

In economy it starts at 7,500 miles one way with Alaska Atmos Rewards on Qantas, plus taxes and fees from $35. Next cheapest: American AAdvantage (10,000), British Airways Club (11,000) and Iberia Club (11,000). These are award chart prices from the Award Flight Pricer. Programs that price dynamically can cost more on busy dates, so check yours before you transfer points. Business and first class prices are in the pricer too.

Which airlines fly nonstop from CNS to MEL?

Jetstar, Qantas (oneworld) and Virgin Australia fly nonstop from Cairns (CNS) to Melbourne (MEL).

How far is Cairns from Melbourne by plane?

Cairns (CNS) and Melbourne (MEL) are 1,438 miles (2,314 km) apart along the great circle, the shortest path a flight can take. Connections add distance on top.

Which points programs can book CNS to MEL award flights?

15 programs can book at least one of the nonstop airlines: Emirates Skywards, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Alaska Atmos Rewards, American AAdvantage, British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Finnair Plus and 7 more. Which flights each can book depends on its partners, so check the airline before you transfer points.

Where can I connect between Cairns and Melbourne?

The most direct connections are through Townsville (TSV), Proserpine (PPP), Sydney (SYD), Brisbane (BNE) and Adelaide (ADL). On 6 of them the same airline flies both flights, for example Qantas through Townsville.

More routes

Routes are scheduled nonstop flights. The route data is refreshed monthly; this list was last checked November 11, 2026. Seasonal routes and new launches can be missing or end early, so confirm with the airline before you book. Distances are great-circle, the shortest path between the two airports.