Jetstar AirwaysJQ86% on time
Flights JQ950 06:10 daily · JQ952 10:30 daily · JQ954 15:15 daily · JQ958 17:05 Fr
live
Direct flights from Sydney (SYD) to Cairns (CNS): 21 nonstop departures observed each week across 3 airlines. 93% of the last 15 operated flights arrived within 15 minutes of schedule. The median arrival is 2 minutes early. No cancellations were recorded across the 15 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 Sydney and Cairns. Updated 8 September 2026 at 05:53 UTC.
SYD
Sydney
smooth · +0
CNS
Cairns
smooth · +0
1,973 km · ~3h 02m est.
Runs reliable · 3 airlines · 21x weekly · nonstop
93% on time
of the last 15 operated SYD → CNS flights arrived within 15 minutes
Median arrival delay is −2 min. 0 of 15 tracked legs cancelled in the sample. Will a delayed flight be cancelled? →
Median arrival−2 minacross the last 15 operated legs
Flight time~3h 02mestimated from route distance
Weekly departures21x3 direct airlines on the leg
Cancelled0.0%recent route rate · 0 of 15
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 outcomes09-08QF1818dep +0 → arr+0
09-07QF1818dep +0 → arr+9
Actual 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 and CNS: 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 Sydney to Cairns route actually runs
Pro Flight Search records official board updates for nonstop SYD to CNS 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 — Sydney (SYD) to Cairns (CNS) route reliability, measured from operated flights on official airport boards.
Canonical URL
How we measure this →
https://proflightsearch.com/search-flights/SYD-CNS
SYD to CNS questions
Is SYD–CNS running on time right now?
Smooth skies ahead. Both endpoints currently score the same, route health score 100/100. The airports section above carries the live status and delay window at both ends.
Morning or evening flight on SYD–CNS?
Operators schedule morning departures around 06:10 and evening departures around 17:05 from SYD. Earlier flights typically land before destination-airport delays accumulate later in the day; check the CNS delay card to confirm conditions when you'd arrive.
How long is the flight from SYD to CNS?
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 SYD–CNS fly?
3 carriers operate this route, around 53 flights a week between them. Compare carrier days and times in the airline list above.
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