Avarua to Sydney Flight Distance
Rarotonga International Airport (RAR) to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD)
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 3,102 miles, this long-haul flight will take approximately 6h 42m. Plan for a substantial flight with meals, entertainment, and rest time.
Time Adjustment: Sydney is 20 hours ahead of Avarua. Prepare for significant jet lag. Allow 16+ days for recovery and avoid scheduling important meetings on arrival day.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 749 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs—planting 68 trees could offset this flight.
Flight Options: 1 airline serves this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 3,102 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 4,992 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 2,695 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 6h 42m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | LONG HAUL | Long-haul flight (4,000 - 12,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 243° WSW | West-Southwest |
| Cruising Altitude | 39,000 ft | FL390 (11,887 m) |
| Time Difference | +20h | Jet lag: severe |
| CO2 (Economy) | 749 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 2172 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 2995 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 68 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 150 L | ~27,000 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 1 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
Rarotonga International Airport
Avarua, Cook Islands
Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport
Sydney, Australia
Airlines Flying This Route
1 airline operate flights between Avarua and Sydney.
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
- 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
Distance in Perspective
Distance & Speed Reference
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Statute Miles | 3,102 mi |
| Kilometers | 4,992 km |
| Nautical Miles | 2,695 nm |
| Meters | 4,992,000 m |
| Feet | 16,378,560 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 6h 42m |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 4,992 km between Avarua and Sydney at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 6h 42m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 9h 59m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 15h 36m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 49h 55m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 998h (42 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 4h 3m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from RAR
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is Avarua from Sydney?
The flight distance from Rarotonga International Airport (RAR) to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) is 3,102 miles (4,992 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 6h 42m. This is a long-haul flight typically cruising at 39,000 feet (FL390).
What is the time difference?
Sydney is 20 hours ahead of Avarua. Expect severe jet lag with ~16 days recovery time.
What airlines fly this route?
1 airline operate this route: Air New Zealand.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 749 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 2172 kg. First class: 2995 kg. Offset with ~68 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this West-Southwest 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 Avarua to Sydney instead of flying?
Driving is not practical for this 4,992 km distance, especially across international borders. It would theoretically take over 62 hours of driving. Flying at 6h 42m 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 749 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 68 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.