How Long Does It Take To Fly Across Australia

So, How Long Does It Take To Fly Across Australia?

Ever wondered what it's like to spread your wings and fly across the vast expanse of Australia? It's like trying to imagine how long it takes to walk from one end of a football field to the other, but, you know, in the sky and with a plane instead of your trusty feet.

First things first, let's talk distance. Australia's a big girl, the largest island in the world, in fact. The shortest distance between two points on its mainland, from Cape York in the north to Wilsons Promontory in the south, is around 2,700 kilometers. That's like driving from Los Angeles to Denver, or from London to Rome, but, you know, in Australia.

Flying North to South

Now, let's hop on a plane and fly that distance. The speed of a commercial jet varies, but let's take a typical one, like a Boeing 737, which cruises at about 800 kilometers per hour. If we do the math - and don't worry, I'll keep it simple - it takes around 3.3 hours to fly from north to south. That's like watching three episodes of your favorite Netflix series, or enjoying three rounds of drinks at a laid-back bar.

But wait, there's more! Remember, planes don't fly in a straight line. They have to follow flight paths to avoid other planes and airspaces. So, the actual distance they cover is a bit longer, around 3,500 kilometers. At our jet's speed, that's about 4.3 hours in the air. It's like binge-watching a season of a TV show, or enjoying a long, lazy lunch with friends.

air travel - What path do flights across Australia take? - Travel Stack

Flying East to West

But what if we want to fly from one coast to the other? From Sydney to Perth, for instance. That's a whopping 4,000 kilometers, like driving from New York to Chicago, but again, in Australia. At our jet's speed, that's about 5 hours in the air. It's like watching a movie marathon, or spending a whole day at a music festival.

And if we're talking about really long flights, there's the Qantas flight from Sydney to London. That's over 17,000 kilometers, like driving from Los Angeles to New York and back again, twice. At our jet's speed, that's about 21 hours in the air. It's like watching the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy, or spending a whole day on a road trip with your best mates.

air travel - What path do flights across Australia take? - Travel Stack

So, Is It Worth It?

Flying across Australia is like a journey, not just a trip. It's a chance to see the country from a different perspective, to watch the landscape change beneath you, from the red heart of the outback to the golden beaches of the coast. It's like a free upgrade to business class, where the view is always changing and the in-flight entertainment is out of this world.

So, next time you're planning a trip to Australia, don't just think about the time it takes to get there. Think about the time you'll spend in the air, the time you'll spend seeing the country from a whole new angle. Because sometimes, the journey is just as important as the destination.