Sydney (SYD) to Cairns (CNS) flights
3 airlines fly nonstop from Sydney (SYD) to Cairns (CNS): Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia. The two airports are 1,225 miles (1,972 km) apart. Qantas is in oneworld. There are also 9 ways to fly it with one stop, through Townsville, Proserpine and Brisbane and more.
Airlines flying nonstop from SYD to CNS
- JetstarNot in an alliance · bookable with 1 programWho books it
- Qantasoneworld · bookable with 11 programsWho books it
- Virgin AustraliaNot in an alliance · bookable with 4 programsWho books it
Book SYD to CNS with points
Loyalty programs that can book at least one of the nonstop airlines, from the Award Booking Guide.
- Emirates SkywardsBooks Jetstar, Qantas
- Air Canada AeroplanBooks Virgin Australia
- Air France-KLM Flying BlueBooks Qantas
- Alaska Atmos RewardsBooks Qantas
- American AAdvantageBooks Qantas
- British Airways ClubBooks Qantas
- Cathay Pacific Asia MilesBooks Qantas
- Finnair PlusBooks Qantas
- Iberia ClubBooks Qantas
- JAL Mileage BankBooks Qantas
- Qantas Frequent FlyerBooks Qantas
- Qatar Airways Privilege ClubBooks Qantas
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyerBooks Virgin Australia
- Virgin Atlantic Flying ClubBooks Virgin Australia
- Virgin Australia VelocityBooks Virgin Australia
SYD to CNS 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 wayZL
- Via Proserpine (PPP)Jetstar, then SkytransQN
- Via Brisbane (BNE)Jetstar, Qantas and 1 more the whole way+1
- Via Sunshine Coast (MCY)Jetstar the whole way
- Via Coolangatta (Gold Coast) (OOL)Jetstar the whole way
- Via Melbourne (MEL)Jetstar, Qantas and 1 more the whole way
- Via Adelaide (ADL)Jetstar the whole way
- Via Alice Springs (ASP)Qantas, then AirnorthTL
- Via Port Moresby (POM)Air Niugini the whole wayPXPX
SYD to CNS: common questions
Which airlines fly nonstop from SYD to CNS?
Jetstar, Qantas (oneworld) and Virgin Australia fly nonstop from Sydney (SYD) to Cairns (CNS).
How far is Sydney from Cairns by plane?
Sydney (SYD) and Cairns (CNS) are 1,225 miles (1,972 km) apart along the great circle, the shortest path a flight can take. Connections add distance on top.
Which points programs can book SYD to CNS 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.
How many miles does SYD to CNS cost?
It depends on the program: each prices the route from its own chart or dynamically. The Award Flight Pricer compares 30+ programs for SYD to CNS with taxes and fees.
Where can I connect between Sydney and Cairns?
The most direct connections are through Townsville (TSV), Proserpine (PPP), Brisbane (BNE), Sunshine Coast (MCY) and Coolangatta (Gold Coast) (OOL). On 7 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.