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Melbourne to Karratha Flight Distance

Melbourne International Airport (MEL) to Karratha Airport (KTA)

Medium HaulWest-Northwest (297°)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

Loading globe...

2,046
Miles
3,293
Kilometers
1,778
Nautical miles
4h 32m
Flight time
Route Distance Scale3,293 km of 18,000 km max
0Short <1,500kmMedium <4,000kmLong <12,000kmUltra-Long

Your Route Summary

MEL
Origin
Melbourne International Airport
Melbourne, Australia
-37.6733°, 144.8430°
KTA
Destination
Karratha Airport
Karratha, Australia
-20.7122°, 116.7730°

What This Means For Your Trip

Flight Duration: At 2,046 miles, this medium-haul flight will take approximately 4h 32m. Consider bringing a book or downloading entertainment for the journey.

Time Adjustment: Karratha is 2 hours behind Melbourne. You should experience minimal jet lag.

Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 514 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs—planting 47 trees could offset this flight.

Flight Options: 1 airline serves this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.

Complete Flight Analysis

MetricValueCategory / Reference
Distance (Miles)2,046 miPrimary frequent flyer unit
Distance (Kilometers)3,293 kmInternational standard
Distance (Nautical Miles)1,778 nmAviation standard
Flight Time4h 32mBased on 850 km/h cruise + ground time
Route ClassificationMEDIUM HAULMedium-haul flight (1,500 - 4,000 km)
Flight Direction297° WNWWest-Northwest
Cruising Altitude37,000 ftFL370 (11,278 m)
Time Difference-2hJet lag: none
CO2 (Economy)514 kgDEFRA 2024 factors
CO2 (Business)1490 kg2.9x economy
CO2 (First Class)2055 kg4x economy
Trees to Offset47Economy class, per passenger
Fuel per Passenger99 L~17,820 L total (180 pax)
Operating Airlines1Direct flights available

Tips for This Route

Book Early
Book 3-6 weeks ahead for competitive fares on this route.
Best Window Seat
Choose the right side for views with less sun glare on this west-northwest flight.
Adjust Your Clock
Minimal time change—no special preparation needed.
Pack Smart
Bring entertainment, snacks, and a neck pillow for comfort.
Offset Your Impact
Consider offsetting 514 kg CO2 through verified programs—equivalent to planting 47 trees.
Compare Prices
Check multiple booking sites and set price alerts for the best fares.
MEL
DEPARTURE

Melbourne International Airport

Melbourne, Australia

IATA / ICAO
MEL / YMML
Elevation
434 ft (132 m)
Local Time
07:26 AM
GMT+10
Coordinates
-37.6733°, 144.8430°
View full airport details
KTA
ARRIVAL-2h from departure

Karratha Airport

Karratha, Australia

IATA / ICAO
KTA / YPKA
Elevation
29 ft (9 m)
Local Time
05:26 AM
GMT+8
Coordinates
-20.7122°, 116.7730°
View full airport details

Airlines Flying This Route

1 airline operate flights between Melbourne and Karratha.

QF
Qantas
Australia

Flight Details

Cruising Altitude
37,000 ft (11,278 m)
FL370
Flight Direction
West-Northwest
Initial bearing: 297°
Route Type
Medium-haul flight (1,500 - 4,000 km)
Typical Aircraft
Airbus A321Boeing 737 MAXAirbus A320neo
Fuel Consumption
99 L per passenger
~17,820 L total (180 passengers)
Geographic Context
Route stays within the Southern Hemisphere
Both airports are in the Southern Hemisphere. Both airports are in the Eastern Hemisphere.

Flight Midpoint

The geographic midpoint of this flight is located at:

Latitude
29° 55' 57.3" S
-29.9326°
Longitude
129° 36' 54.0" E
129.6150°
Halfway Point
1,023 mi
136 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
514 kg
CO2e: 976 kg
Premium Economy
822 kg
CO2e: 1562 kg
Business
1490 kg
CO2e: 2831 kg
First Class
2055 kg
CO2e: 3904 kg
Carbon Offset
To offset an economy class seat, plant approximately 47 trees.Equivalent to 1.0 months of average person's carbon footprint

Jet Lag & Travel Tips

Jet Lag Severity
none
Time Zone Change
2 hours back
Flying westward
Tips for This Journey
  • Minimal time difference - jet lag unlikely

Seat Recommendations

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

Distance in Perspective

1
8.2% of Earth's circumference
2
117 flights of this distance would reach the Moon
3
Similar to Los Angeles to New York (3,944 km)
4
2.7 hours at the speed of sound

Distance & Speed Reference

MeasurementValue
Statute Miles2,046 mi
Kilometers3,293 km
Nautical Miles1,778 nm
Meters3,293,000 m
Feet10,802,880 ft
Flight Time (850 km/h)4h 32m

Travel Speed Comparison

How long would it take to cover the 3,293 km between Melbourne and Karratha at different speeds?

ModeSpeedTime
Commercial Jet850 km/h4h 32m
Turboprop Aircraft500 km/h6h 35m
Bullet Train320 km/h10h 17m
Car (highway)100 km/h32h 56m
Walking5 km/h659h (27 days)
Speed of Sound1,235 km/h2h 40m

Round Trip Summary

4,092
total miles
6,586
total km
9h 4m
total flight time
1,028
kg CO2 (economy)
View Return Flight: KTA to MEL

Quick Facts

Distance2,046 mi
Flight Time4h 32m
Route Typemedium haul
DirectionWNW
AltitudeFL370
Time Diff-2h
CO2 (Economy)514 kg
Airlines1

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Melbourne from Karratha?

The flight distance from Melbourne International Airport (MEL) to Karratha Airport (KTA) is 2,046 miles (3,293 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.

How long is the flight?

A direct flight takes approximately 4h 32m. This is a medium-haul flight typically cruising at 37,000 feet (FL370).

What is the time difference?

Karratha is 2 hours behind Melbourne.

What airlines fly this route?

1 airline operate this route: Qantas.

What is the carbon footprint?

Economy class: 514 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 1490 kg. First class: 2055 kg. Offset with ~47 trees.

Which seat side is best?

For this West-Northwest flight, the right side offers the best views away from sun glare.

Can I drive from Melbourne to Karratha instead of flying?

Driving is not practical for this 3,293 km distance. It would theoretically take over 41 hours of driving. Flying at 4h 32m 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 514 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 47 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