Madrid to Cancun Flight Distance
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) to Cancún International Airport (CUN)
Primary sources · 6
- [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] NGA.STND.0036_1.0.0_WGS84 — WGS-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] DESNZ 2024 conversion factors — Per-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] 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] OpenFlights — Airport coordinates and IATA codes · openflights.org/data.php · Community-maintained https://openflights.org/data.php
- [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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Your Route Summary
What This Means For Your Trip
Flight Duration: At 4,955 miles, this long-haul flight will take approximately 10h 13m. Plan for a substantial flight with meals, entertainment, and rest time.
Time Adjustment: Cancun is 7 hours behind Madrid. Plan for moderate jet lag—give yourself 5 days to adjust before important activities.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 1196 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs—planting 109 trees could offset this flight.
Flight Options: 3 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 4,955 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 7,974 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 4,306 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 10h 13m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | LONG HAUL | Long-haul flight (4,000 - 12,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 282° WNW | West-Northwest |
| Cruising Altitude | 39,000 ft | FL390 (11,887 m) |
| Time Difference | -7h | Jet lag: moderate |
| CO2 (Economy) | 1196 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 3469 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 4784 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 109 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 239 L | ~43,020 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 3 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
Madrid, Spain
Cancún International Airport
Cancun, Mexico
Airlines Flying This Route
3 airlines operate flights between Madrid and Cancun.
Flight Details
Flight Midpoint
The geographic midpoint of this flight is located at:
Carbon Emissions by Cabin Class
CO2 emissions vary by cabin class due to seat space allocation. Based on DEFRA 2024 emission factors.
Jet Lag & Travel Tips
- Start adjusting sleep schedule several days before travel
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine during the flight
- Take short naps (20-30 min) if needed
- Westward travel: stay awake until local bedtime
Seat Recommendations
Distance in Perspective
Distance & Speed Reference
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Statute Miles | 4,955 mi |
| Kilometers | 7,974 km |
| Nautical Miles | 4,306 nm |
| Meters | 7,974,000 m |
| Feet | 26,162,400 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 10h 13m |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 7,974 km between Madrid and Cancun at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 10h 13m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 15h 57m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 24h 55m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 79h 44m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 1,595h (66 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 6h 27m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from MAD
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is Madrid from Cancun?
The flight distance from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) to Cancún International Airport (CUN) is 4,955 miles (7,974 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 10h 13m. This is a long-haul flight typically cruising at 39,000 feet (FL390).
What is the time difference?
Cancun is 7 hours behind Madrid. Expect moderate jet lag with ~5 days recovery time.
What airlines fly this route?
3 airlines operate this route: AeroMéxico, Air Europa, Compagnie Africaine d\\'Aviation.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 1196 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 3469 kg. First class: 4784 kg. Offset with ~109 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this West-Northwest flight, the right side offers the best views away from sun glare. Consider an aisle seat for easier movement on this long flight.
Can I drive from Madrid to Cancun instead of flying?
Driving is not practical for this 7,974 km distance, especially across international borders. It would theoretically take over 100 hours of driving. Flying at 10h 13m is the recommended option.
What aircraft typically fly this route?
This long-haul route is typically served by Boeing 777, Airbus A350, Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Wide-body aircraft are standard for this distance, offering more comfort for the longer journey.
How can I offset the carbon from this flight?
An economy class seat on this route produces 1196 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 109 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.