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Auckland to Avarua Flight Distance

Auckland International Airport (AKL) to Rarotonga International Airport (RAR)

Medium HaulEast-Northeast (61°)Direct flights available
Primary sources · 6
  1. [1] Vincenty (1975)Direct and Inverse Solutions of Geodesics on the Ellipsoid — the iterative formula used for distance · Survey Review XXIII (176), pp. 88–93 · April 1975 https://www.ngs.noaa.gov/PUBS_LIB/inverse.pdf
  2. [2] NGA.STND.0036_1.0.0_WGS84WGS-84 reference ellipsoid (a = 6,378,137 m, 1/f = 298.257223563) · NGA Standard · July 2014 https://earth-info.nga.mil/index.php?dir=wgs84&action=wgs84
  3. [3] DESNZ 2024 conversion factorsPer-km kg CO₂e factors for the three distance bands and four cabin classes · UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero · June 2024 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-conversion-factors-2024
  4. [4] Lee et al. (2021)Effective radiative forcing of aviation — the science behind the 1.9 × CO₂ → CO₂e uplift · Atmospheric Environment 244, 117834 · January 2021 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.117834
  5. [5] OpenFlightsAirport coordinates and IATA codes · openflights.org/data.php · Community-maintained https://openflights.org/data.php
  6. [6] Sack (2010)Jet-lag review — clinical chronobiology and asymmetric recovery rates · New England Journal of Medicine 362:440 · February 2010 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp0909838

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1,873
Miles
3,014
Kilometers
1,627
Nautical miles
4h 13m
Flight time
Route Distance Scale3,014 km of 18,000 km max
0Short <1,500kmMedium <4,000kmLong <12,000kmUltra-Long

Your Route Summary

AKL
Origin
Auckland International Airport
Auckland, New Zealand
-37.0081°, 174.7920°
RAR
Destination
Rarotonga International Airport
Avarua, Cook Islands
-21.2027°, -159.8060°

What This Means For Your Trip

Flight Duration: At 1,873 miles, this medium-haul flight will take approximately 4h 13m. Consider bringing a book or downloading entertainment for the journey.

Time Adjustment: Avarua is 22 hours behind Auckland. Prepare for significant jet lag. Allow 18+ days for recovery and avoid scheduling important meetings on arrival day.

Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 470 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs if environmental impact is a concern.

Flight Options: 3 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.

Complete Flight Analysis

MetricValueCategory / Reference
Distance (Miles)1,873 miPrimary frequent flyer unit
Distance (Kilometers)3,014 kmInternational standard
Distance (Nautical Miles)1,627 nmAviation standard
Flight Time4h 13mBased on 850 km/h cruise + ground time
Route ClassificationMEDIUM HAULMedium-haul flight (1,500 - 4,000 km)
Flight Direction61° ENEEast-Northeast
Cruising Altitude37,000 ftFL370 (11,278 m)
Time Difference-22hJet lag: severe
CO2 (Economy)470 kgDEFRA 2024 factors
CO2 (Business)1364 kg2.9x economy
CO2 (First Class)1881 kg4x economy
Trees to Offset43Economy class, per passenger
Fuel per Passenger90 L~16,200 L total (180 pax)
Operating Airlines3Direct flights available

Tips for This Route

Book Early
Book 3-6 weeks ahead for competitive fares on this route.
Best Window Seat
Choose the left side for views with less sun glare on this east-northeast flight.
Adjust Your Clock
Start adjusting your sleep 2-3 days before departure. Move bedtime later gradually.
Pack Smart
Bring entertainment, snacks, and a neck pillow for comfort.
Offset Your Impact
Consider offsetting 470 kg CO2 through verified programs—equivalent to planting 43 trees.
Compare Prices
Check multiple booking sites and set price alerts for the best fares.
AKL
DEPARTURE

Auckland International Airport

Auckland, New Zealand

IATA / ICAO
AKL / NZAA
Elevation
23 ft (7 m)
Local Time
06:56 AM
GMT+12
Coordinates
-37.0081°, 174.7920°
View full airport details
RAR
ARRIVAL-22h from departure

Rarotonga International Airport

Avarua, Cook Islands

IATA / ICAO
RAR / NCRG
Elevation
19 ft (6 m)
Local Time
08:56 AM
GMT-10
Coordinates
-21.2027°, -159.8060°
View full airport details

Airlines Flying This Route

3 airlines operate flights between Auckland and Avarua.

NZ
Air New Zealand
New Zealand
VA
Virgin Australia
Australia
US
US Airways
United States

Flight Details

Cruising Altitude
37,000 ft (11,278 m)
FL370
Flight Direction
East-Northeast
Initial bearing: 61°
Route Type
Medium-haul flight (1,500 - 4,000 km)
Typical Aircraft
Airbus A321Boeing 737 MAXAirbus A320neo
Fuel Consumption
90 L per passenger
~16,200 L total (180 passengers)
Geographic Context
This route crosses the International Date Line
Both airports are in the Southern Hemisphere. This route crosses from the Eastern to the Western Hemisphere.

Flight Midpoint

The geographic midpoint of this flight is located at:

Latitude
29° 42' 31.7" S
-29.7088°
Longitude
188° 29' 26.9" E
188.4908°
Halfway Point
937 mi
127 min into flight

Carbon Emissions by Cabin Class

CO2 emissions vary by cabin class due to seat space allocation. Based on DEFRA 2024 emission factors.

Economy
470 kg
CO2e: 893 kg
Premium Economy
752 kg
CO2e: 1429 kg
Business
1364 kg
CO2e: 2591 kg
First Class
1881 kg
CO2e: 3573 kg
Carbon Offset
To offset an economy class seat, plant approximately 43 trees.Equivalent to 0.9 months of average person's carbon footprint

Jet Lag & Travel Tips

Jet Lag Severity
severe
Recovery time: ~18 days
Time Zone Change
22 hours back
Flying westward
Tips for This Journey
  • Consider a stopover to break up the journey
  • Use melatonin supplements (consult doctor first)
  • Plan light activities for first few days
  • Expose yourself to daylight at appropriate times
  • Avoid important meetings on arrival day

Seat Recommendations

Best Window for Views
left Side
Sun will be on the right (south) side during daytime
Recommendation
Left window for views away from sun glare, right for warmth

Distance in Perspective

1
7.5% of Earth's circumference
2
128 flights of this distance would reach the Moon
3
Similar to Los Angeles to New York (3,944 km)
4
2.4 hours at the speed of sound

Distance & Speed Reference

MeasurementValue
Statute Miles1,873 mi
Kilometers3,014 km
Nautical Miles1,627 nm
Meters3,014,000 m
Feet9,889,440 ft
Flight Time (850 km/h)4h 13m

Travel Speed Comparison

How long would it take to cover the 3,014 km between Auckland and Avarua at different speeds?

ModeSpeedTime
Commercial Jet850 km/h4h 13m
Turboprop Aircraft500 km/h6h 2m
Bullet Train320 km/h9h 25m
Car (highway)100 km/h30h 8m
Walking5 km/h603h (25 days)
Speed of Sound1,235 km/h2h 26m

Round Trip Summary

3,746
total miles
6,028
total km
8h 26m
total flight time
940
kg CO2 (economy)
View Return Flight: RAR to AKL

Quick Facts

Distance1,873 mi
Flight Time4h 13m
Route Typemedium haul
DirectionENE
AltitudeFL370
Time Diff-22h
CO2 (Economy)470 kg
Airlines3

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Auckland from Avarua?

The flight distance from Auckland International Airport (AKL) to Rarotonga International Airport (RAR) is 1,873 miles (3,014 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.

How long is the flight?

A direct flight takes approximately 4h 13m. This is a medium-haul flight typically cruising at 37,000 feet (FL370).

What is the time difference?

Avarua is 22 hours behind Auckland. Expect severe jet lag with ~18 days recovery time.

What airlines fly this route?

3 airlines operate this route: Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, US Airways.

What is the carbon footprint?

Economy class: 470 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 1364 kg. First class: 1881 kg. Offset with ~43 trees.

Which seat side is best?

For this East-Northeast flight, the left side offers the best views away from sun glare.

Can I drive from Auckland to Avarua instead of flying?

Driving is not practical for this 3,014 km distance, especially across international borders. It would theoretically take over 38 hours of driving. Flying at 4h 13m is the recommended option.

What aircraft typically fly this route?

This medium-haul route is typically served by Airbus A321, Boeing 737 MAX, Airbus A320neo aircraft. A mix of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft may operate this route depending on demand.

How can I offset the carbon from this flight?

An economy class seat on this route produces 470 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 43 trees, purchasing verified carbon credits through programs like Gold Standard or Verra, or supporting renewable energy projects. Many airlines also offer built-in carbon offset options during booking.

External Resources & References

Learn more about the airports, aviation data, and carbon emissions methodology used in this calculation.

Dig deeper on this route