Which airline has the best punctuality record on Melbourne to Cairns flights?

Over the past year, Virgin Australia have had the lowest number of delays on this route, with just 13% of flights being delayed.

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Saturday tends to have the lowest number of delays on this route, whereas Wednesday has historically faced a higher average of delays compared to other days of the week.

How often are flights from Melbourne to Cairns delayed?

About 19% of weekly flights between Melbourne and Cairns have experienced delays in the past year, with the average delay time being 111 minutes.

What is the most punctual flight time for Melbourne to Cairns flights?

Historically, flights departing at night are less likely to be delayed, whereas flights leaving in the evening tend to experience delays more often.

How long is the flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

Departing from Melbourne Airport to Cairns will take you 3h 20m. The distance between Melbourne Airport and Cairns is about 1436 mi. Most flights are nonstop.

What is the cheapest airline to fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns round-trip?

Flying on Jetstar is currently your cheapest option to Cairns, with prices starting at £124. Jetstar is priced at 31% lower than the current average price of a flight leaving 3 months from now.

Weekly flight availability from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

The most flights from MEL to CNS are scheduled on a Wednesday (31 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Monday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (19 on average).

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Cairns ranges from 20.0 - 430.0 inches per month. March is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 430.0 mm. July is typically the driest time to visit Cairns when rainfall is around 20.0 mm.

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Cairns, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, January is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 27.0 C. Travellers hoping to avoid the cold should look outside of June, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 21.0 C).

What are the cheapest flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

The cheapest flight price from Melbourne Airport to Cairns is £88. On average you can expect to pay £123. The most popular route, (Melbourne - Cairns), can usually be booked for £129.

What are the most reliable airlines from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

Consider China Eastern (92%), Air India (90%) or China Southern (89%) when booking your flight. These represent the most reliable airlines when flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns.

What airport do you fly into for flights to Cairns from Melbourne?

Cairns (CNS), located 2.8 mi from the city center, is the airport you fly into when you book flights from Melbourne to Cairns. 1 airline have flights to Cairns from Melbourne on a regular basis. Booking flights from Melbourne to Cairns should not be difficult; the airport handles an average of 23 inbound flights from Melbourne per day.

Can I find deals for flights from Melbourne to Cairns that include hotel bookings?

Yes. In addition to deals on Melbourne to Cairns flights, Cheapflights offers holiday packages that include both flights and hotel.

How can I find direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns.

Can I find deals for business class flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

£82+ Cheap Flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Melbourne to Cairns are usually found in February or March, booked 83 days in advance, depart on a Monday or Tuesday and return on a Monday

Cheap flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

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One-way

Cheapest flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Melbourne to Cairns. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 10 October 2026.

Thu 26/1119:50 -

Nonstop3h 20m

Sun 29/1119:10 -

Nonstop3h 25m

Deal found 7/10£151

Thu 19/1106:15 -

Nonstop3h 15m

Sun 22/1109:45 -

Nonstop3h 30m

Deal found 6/10£159

Sun 22/1116:05 -

Nonstop3h 20m

Sun 13/1209:45 -

Nonstop3h 30m

Deal found 8/10£160

Mon 23/1106:15 -

Nonstop3h 15m

Sun 29/1119:10 -

Nonstop3h 25m

Deal found 8/10£168

Thu 26/1119:50 -

Nonstop3h 20m

Sat 28/1109:45 -

Nonstop3h 30m

Deal found 8/10£175

Sat 21/1119:50 -

Nonstop3h 20m

Sat 28/1109:45 -

Nonstop3h 30m

Deal found 6/10£183

Sun 22/1116:05 -

Nonstop3h 20m

Sun 29/1119:10 -

Nonstop3h 25m

Deal found 7/10£185

Sun 15/1119:50 -

Nonstop3h 20m

Fri 20/1109:45 -

Nonstop3h 30m

Deal found 9/10£189

Thu 24/1211:00 -

1 stop6h 45m

Thu 24/1223:55 -

Nonstop3h 25m

Deal found 9/10£192

Mon 16/1119:50 -

Nonstop3h 20m

Mon 23/1109:45 -

Nonstop3h 30m

Deal found 9/10£193

Mon 23/1106:15 -

Nonstop3h 15m

Sat 28/1109:45 -

Nonstop3h 30m

Deal found 6/10£194

Sat 28/1119:50 -

Nonstop3h 20m

Sun 29/1114:40 -

1 stop5h 35m

Deal found 9/10£196

Find flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns

Round-trip from	£151
One-way from	£82
Popular in	September
Cheapest in	February
Average price	£189
Good one-way deal	£112 or less

Jetstar
26/11-29/11
Nonstop
6h 45m total
Melbourne to Cairns

Search Deals

Jetstar
16/11-31/12
Nonstop
3h 20m total
Melbourne to Cairns

Search Deals

Highest demand for flights based on searches. 12% potential increase in price (£19 potential increase over avg. return price).

Search Deals

Cheapest flight prices on average. 3% potential price decrease (£5 potential savings vs. average return price).

Search Deals

Average for round-trip flights in October 2026

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Price to beat on a one-way flight from Melbourne to Cairns.

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Cheapflights Fare Finder

Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns that are best for you.

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cheapest return flight

MelbourneCairns

MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns

MELCNS

Melbourne

Fri 13/11

19:50-22:10

Nonstop3h 20m

Cairns

Wed 31/12

00:00-00:00

Nonstop0h 00m

£84

MelbourneCairns

MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sat 24/10

20:05-22:30

Nonstop3h 25m

Cairns

Wed 31/12

00:00-00:00

Nonstop0h 00m

£94

Fastest return journey

MelbourneCairns

MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns

MELCNS

Melbourne

Tue 3/11

06:15-08:30

Nonstop3h 15m

Cairns

Wed 31/12

00:00-00:00

Nonstop0h 00m

£96

MelbourneCairns

MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns

MELCNS

Melbourne

Fri 18/12

10:00-14:55

1 stop5h 55m

Cairns

Wed 31/12

00:00-00:00

Nonstop0h 00m

£122

MelbourneCairns

MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns

MELCNS

Melbourne

Thu 24/12

08:30-14:55

1 stop7h 25m

Cairns

Wed 31/12

00:00-00:00

Nonstop0h 00m

£122

MelbourneCairns

MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns

MELCNS

Melbourne

Wed 6/1

08:30-14:55

1 stop7h 25m

Cairns

Wed 31/12

00:00-00:00

Nonstop0h 00m

£122

MelbourneCairns

MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sat 21/11

09:00-14:55

1 stop6h 55m

Cairns

Wed 31/12

00:00-00:00

Nonstop0h 00m

£122

MelbourneCairns

MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns

MELCNS

Melbourne

Tue 15/12

09:00-14:55

1 stop6h 55m

Cairns

Wed 31/12

00:00-00:00

Nonstop0h 00m

£122

MelbourneCairns

MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sat 24/10

06:00-10:25

1 stop5h 25m

Cairns

Wed 31/12

00:00-00:00

Nonstop0h 00m

£122

MelbourneCairns

MEL Melbourne - CNS Cairns

MELCNS

Melbourne

Mon 7/12

05:30-10:15

1 stop5h 45m

Cairns

Wed 31/12

00:00-00:00

Nonstop0h 00m

£122

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 5/10

Showing 1-10 of 24 resultsSorted by cheapest first

Best time to book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Cairns from Melbourne with our price prediction graph.

MEL-CNS

Estimated return price

Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

Prices

Airlines

Delays

How far ahead should I book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

The price you pay for your flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns may vary depending on when you book. For the best chance of a lower fare, look to book 82 days in advance of your trip. Fares are likely to increase a fortnight or so before your departure date.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns (average of £135). Flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns in September is currently the most expensive (average of £236). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from MEL to CNS?

Regardless of the time of day you decide to fly, the ticket price will remain around the same. Book flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns as you normally would.

How much does it cost for a return flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

Airfare is typical for this route at the moment.

Melbourne Airport to Cairns flights typically cost between £143 and £244 in November.
The cheapest return price found within the last 5 days was £151 on Jetstar (26 Nov–29 Nov).

Reviews of airlines servicing Cairns

Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Jetstar from Melbourne Airport to Cairns by reading reviews from past customers. Users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Jetstar

6.5

Okay

572 reviews

Check prices

Reviews

1 / 20

10.0

Excellent

Paul,May 2026

MEL - SYD

On-time departure and early arrival. Everything went very well. This is a budget airline so I’m not comparing them to a premium airline, I’m comparing them to other budget carriers and I have no complaints. Well done Jetstar

Jetstar

6.5

Okay

572 reviews

Jetstar

6.5

Okay

572 reviews

Check prices

Reviews

1 / 20

10.0

Excellent

Paul,May 2026

MEL - SYD

Related info for your journey

What airport do you fly into for flights to Cairns from Melbourne?
Cairns (CNS), located 2.8 mi from the city center, is the airport you fly into when you book flights from Melbourne to Cairns. 1 airline have flights to Cairns from Melbourne on a regular basis. Booking flights from Melbourne to Cairns should not be difficult; the airport handles an average of 23 inbound flights from Melbourne per day.
How long is the flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Departing from Melbourne Airport to Cairns will take you 3h 20m. The distance between Melbourne Airport and Cairns is about 1436 mi. Most flights are nonstop.
What is the cheapest airline to fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns round-trip?
Flying on Jetstar is currently your cheapest option to Cairns, with prices starting at £124. Jetstar is priced at 31% lower than the current average price of a flight leaving 3 months from now.
What are the most reliable airlines from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Consider China Eastern (92%), Air India (90%) or China Southern (89%) when booking your flight. These represent the most reliable airlines when flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns.
What are the cheapest flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
The cheapest flight price from Melbourne Airport to Cairns is £88. On average you can expect to pay £123. The most popular route, (Melbourne - Cairns), can usually be booked for £129.
Can I find deals for flights from Melbourne to Cairns that include hotel bookings?
Yes. In addition to deals on Melbourne to Cairns flights, Cheapflights offers holiday packages that include both flights and hotel.
How can I find direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns?
After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns.
Can I find deals for business class flights from Melbourne to Cairns?
Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.
What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns (average of £135). Flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns in September is currently the most expensive (average of £236). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

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Top airline flying from Melbourne to Cairns

Airline	Cheapest	Average	Flexibility	On-time
Jetstar	Cheapest£124	Average£225	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time74%	Search Jetstar flights

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When you search for this flight from Melbourne to Cairns, Cheapflights searches on 900+ travel sites to save you time finding great flight deals online. Additionally, we offer filter features so you can choose a preferred cabin class or airline, see different price ranges, and much more so you can book the flight for you.

Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets from Melbourne to Cairns?

Cheapflights helps you find that perfect flight to Cairns from Melbourne by searching from hundreds of airlines and agencies you know and love. We are also free to use, in case you were wondering!

Can Cheapflights find flights from Melbourne to Cairns with no change fees?

Users can book flights with no change fees policies with our dedicated filters. Book flights from Melbourne to Cairns flexibly with Cheapflights today.

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Cheap flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns from £82

This is the cheapest retur flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 16/11. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.

Cheap flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns

Cheapest flights from Melbourne to CairnsExplore the most affordable flight options available from Melbourne to Cairns. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 10 October 2026.

Explore the most affordable flight options available from Melbourne to Cairns. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 10 October 2026.

Best flights from Melbourne to CairnsDiscover carefully curated flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns that have cost, travel time, and stopovers in mind to ensure you get the best travel experience. Data last updated 10 October 2026.

Discover carefully curated flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns that have cost, travel time, and stopovers in mind to ensure you get the best travel experience. Data last updated 10 October 2026.

Direct flights from Melbourne to CairnsExplore direct flight options from Melbourne to Cairns based on user searches, and compare prices and availability for your desired travel dates. Data last updated 10 October 2026.

Explore direct flight options from Melbourne to Cairns based on user searches, and compare prices and availability for your desired travel dates. Data last updated 10 October 2026.

Last-minute flights from Melbourne to CairnsDiscover last-minute flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns. Data last updated 10 October 2026 and is based on user searches.

Discover last-minute flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns. Data last updated 10 October 2026 and is based on user searches.

One-way flights from Melbourne to CairnsSearch for one-way flight options from Melbourne to Cairns. Find affordable one-way fares based on user searches. Data last updated 10 October 2026.

Search for one-way flight options from Melbourne to Cairns. Find affordable one-way fares based on user searches. Data last updated 10 October 2026.

Find flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns

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Cheapflights Fare Finder

Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns that are best for you.

Best time to book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Cairns from Melbourne with our price prediction graph.

Cheapflights Insights

How far ahead should I book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

The price you pay for your flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns may vary depending on when you book. For the best chance of a lower fare, look to book 82 days in advance of your trip. Fares are likely to increase a fortnight or so before your departure date.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from MEL to CNS?

Regardless of the time of day you decide to fly, the ticket price will remain around the same. Book flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns as you normally would.

How much does it cost for a return flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

Airfare is typical for this route at the moment.

Melbourne Airport to Cairns flights typically cost between £143 and £244 in November.The cheapest return price found within the last 5 days was £151 on Jetstar (26 Nov–29 Nov).

Weekly flight availability from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

The most flights from MEL to CNS are scheduled on a Wednesday (31 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Monday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (19 on average).

How often are flights from Melbourne to Cairns delayed?

About 19% of weekly flights between Melbourne and Cairns have experienced delays in the past year, with the average delay time being 111 minutes.

What is the most punctual flight time for Melbourne to Cairns flights?

Historically, flights departing at night are less likely to be delayed, whereas flights leaving in the evening tend to experience delays more often.

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Saturday tends to have the lowest number of delays on this route, whereas Wednesday has historically faced a higher average of delays compared to other days of the week.

Which airline has the best punctuality record on Melbourne to Cairns flights?

Over the past year, Virgin Australia have had the lowest number of delays on this route, with just 13% of flights being delayed.

Reviews of airlines servicing Cairns

Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Jetstar from Melbourne Airport to Cairns by reading reviews from past customers. Users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Related info for your journey

What airport do you fly into for flights to Cairns from Melbourne?

How long is the flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

What is the cheapest airline to fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns round-trip?

What are the most reliable airlines from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

What are the cheapest flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

Can I find deals for flights from Melbourne to Cairns that include hotel bookings?

How can I find direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

Can I find deals for business class flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

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Alternative routes for Melbourne to Cairns

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.

Other flights to Cairns

Explore flights to Cairns departing from other origins. Flights are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 10 October 2026.

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Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights from Melbourne to Cairns become cheaper?

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Cheapest flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Melbourne to Cairns. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 10 October 2026.

Best flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Discover carefully curated flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns that have cost, travel time, and stopovers in mind to ensure you get the best travel experience. Data last updated 10 October 2026.

Direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Explore direct flight options from Melbourne to Cairns based on user searches, and compare prices and availability for your desired travel dates. Data last updated 10 October 2026.

Last-minute flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Discover last-minute flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns. Data last updated 10 October 2026 and is based on user searches.

One-way flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Search for one-way flight options from Melbourne to Cairns. Find affordable one-way fares based on user searches. Data last updated 10 October 2026.

Melbourne Airport to Cairns flights typically cost between £143 and £244 in November.
The cheapest return price found within the last 5 days was £151 on Jetstar (26 Nov–29 Nov).