Jetstar AirwaysJQ67% on time
Flights JQ953 06:45 daily · JQ951 10:15 daily · JQ959 13:30 Mo Fr · JQ955 15:35 daily
live
Direct flights from Cairns (CNS) to Sydney (SYD): 21 nonstop departures observed each week across 3 airlines. 70% of the last 20 operated flights arrived within 15 minutes of schedule. The median arrival is 10 minutes late. No cancellations were recorded across the 20 tracked flights. The nonstop covers 1,973 km, an estimated 3 hours 2 minutes in the air. Measured by Pro Flight Search from live flight boards at Cairns and Sydney. Updated 21 September 2026 at 12:53 UTC.
CNS
Cairns
smooth · +10
SYD
Sydney
smooth · +1
1,973 km · ~3h 02m est.
Runs mixed · 3 airlines · 21x weekly · nonstop
70% on time
of the last 20 operated CNS → SYD flights arrived within 15 minutes
Median arrival delay is +10 min. 0 of 20 tracked legs cancelled in the sample. Will a delayed flight be cancelled? →
Median arrival+10 minacross the last 20 operated legs
Flight time~3h 02mestimated from route distance
Weekly departures21x3 direct airlines on the leg
Cancelled0.0%recent route rate · 0 of 20
The week
scheduled departures · origin local time06121824
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Jetstar AirwaysQantas AirwaysVirgin Australia
Each mark is a scheduled departure at its origin-local time, observed operating in the last 7 days. Today is highlighted.
Who flies it
observed on the boards · 7 daysHistory
operated legs · board outcomesActual board outcomes rather than schedules, paired departure and arrival per flight and day.
Full board history, day by day →
Airports right now
live boardsWeather lens
Current conditions put the pressure at SYD: 31% odds of a 15+ minute delay and around +3 min expected when it bites, measured from this route's own weather-matched delay history. See live delays → · Weather risk by airport →
next sweep in 120s
How the Cairns to Sydney route actually runs
Pro Flight Search records official board updates for nonstop CNS to SYD flights through the day: schedules, estimates, gate pushes and actual departures. The verdict above comes from operated flights, so it reflects what this route does rather than what the timetable promises.
Planning around a delay? Live airport delays · Weather delay risk map · Will a delayed flight be cancelled? · Do planes make up time in the air? · How we measure
Cite this data
Journalists, bloggers, and researchers may cite this page with attribution and a link to Pro Flight Search.
Suggested citation
Pro Flight Search — Cairns (CNS) to Sydney (SYD) route reliability, measured from operated flights on official airport boards.
Canonical URL
How we measure this →
https://proflightsearch.com/search-flights/CNS-SYD
CNS to SYD questions
Is CNS–SYD running on time right now?
Smooth skies ahead. The departure side at CNS is the weaker end, route health score 93/100. The airports section above carries the live status and delay window at both ends.
Morning or evening flight on CNS–SYD?
Operators schedule morning departures around 06:45 and evening departures around 19:10 from CNS. Earlier flights typically land before destination-airport delays accumulate later in the day; check the SYD delay card to confirm conditions when you'd arrive.
How long is the flight from CNS to SYD?
Great-circle distance is 1,973 km. With typical jet cruise speed plus taxi, climb and descent, expect roughly 169–199 min gate-to-gate on this route.
How often does CNS–SYD fly?
3 carriers operate this route, around 62 flights a week between them. Compare carrier days and times in the airline list above.
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