Tokyo to Cairns Flight Distance
Narita International Airport (NRT) to Cairns International Airport (CNS)
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 3,638 miles, this long-haul flight will take approximately 7h 43m. Plan for a substantial flight with meals, entertainment, and rest time.
Time Adjustment: Cairns is 1 hour ahead of Tokyo. You should experience minimal jet lag.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 878 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs—planting 80 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) | 3,638 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 5,855 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 3,161 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 7h 43m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | LONG HAUL | Long-haul flight (4,000 - 12,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 174° S | South |
| Cruising Altitude | 39,000 ft | FL390 (11,887 m) |
| Time Difference | +1h | Jet lag: none |
| CO2 (Economy) | 878 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 2547 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 3513 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 80 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 176 L | ~31,680 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 3 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
Narita International Airport
Tokyo, Japan
Cairns International Airport
Cairns, Australia
Airlines Flying This Route
3 airlines operate flights between Tokyo and Cairns.
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
- Minimal time difference - jet lag unlikely
Seat Recommendations
Distance in Perspective
Distance & Speed Reference
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Statute Miles | 3,638 mi |
| Kilometers | 5,855 km |
| Nautical Miles | 3,161 nm |
| Meters | 5,855,000 m |
| Feet | 19,208,640 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 7h 43m |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 5,855 km between Tokyo and Cairns at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 7h 43m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 11h 43m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 18h 18m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 58h 33m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 1,171h (49 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 4h 44m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from NRT
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is Tokyo from Cairns?
The flight distance from Narita International Airport (NRT) to Cairns International Airport (CNS) is 3,638 miles (5,855 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 7h 43m. This is a long-haul flight typically cruising at 39,000 feet (FL390).
What is the time difference?
Cairns is 1 hour ahead of Tokyo.
What airlines fly this route?
3 airlines operate this route: Japan Airlines Domestic, Jetstar Airways, Qantas.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 878 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 2547 kg. First class: 3513 kg. Offset with ~80 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this South flight, the left side offers the best views away from sun glare. Consider an aisle seat for easier movement on this long flight.
Can I drive from Tokyo to Cairns instead of flying?
Driving is not practical for this 5,855 km distance, especially across international borders. It would theoretically take over 73 hours of driving. Flying at 7h 43m 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 878 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 80 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.