CHC - CNS
Find cheap flights from Christchurch to Cairns
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1 adult
Economy
Fri 21/4
Fri 28/4
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Good to know
Low season | September |
|---|---|
High season | December |
Cheapest flight | $307 |
Average price (return flight) | $1,170 |
Good deal (return flight) | $1,068 |
Good deal one-way | $1,183 |
Best time to beat the crowds (21% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (29% more expensive on average)
Flight from Christchurch to Cairns
(avg. price over the last 2 weeks)
or less
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When to book flights from Christchurch to Cairns
Estimated return price
Average price per month
Flight prices as travel date approaches
Top tips for finding a cheap flight out of Christchurch
- Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $1,183 or less one-way and $1,068 or less round-trip.
- The cheapest flight from Christchurch to Cairns was found, on average, 67 days before departure.
- Book at least 2 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price.
- High season is considered to be November, December and January. The cheapest month to fly is September.
- Morning departure is around 40% cheaper than an evening flight, on average*.
FAQs for booking flights from Christchurch to Cairns
Top airlines flying Christchurch to Cairns
Scores according to KAYAK customer reviews7.9
Qantas AirwaysOverall score based on 4867 reviews
8.1Boarding
7.7Comfort
8.4Crew
7.9Entertainment
7.6Food
Airline reviews
Pros: "Boarding through two doors made the process faster."
Cons: "A better explanation of the lunch choices would be helpful"
Pros: "Boarding through two doors made the process faster."
Cons: "A better explanation of the lunch choices would be helpful"
Pros: "Flight attendants super sweet and really paid attention to any needs. Comfy seats, lots of movies to choose from and a tasty breakfast."
Cons: "Airlines waste a lot of time and money preparing food that is mediocre at best. Just offering simple orange juice , tea coffee and a muffin to keep people going would be better as it's such a short flight."
Pros: "Love qantas airways! Such a great and safe airline."
Pros: "It was our first time flying on Qantas. everything was above expectations."
Cons: "Crew was not friendly. Also - who thought putting call buttons in the armrest was a good idea? We had 10 accidental calls from the people around us alone."
Pros: "Great experience - love travelling Qantas on International flights"
Pros: "NOTHING - THE TRIP WAS A NIGHTMARE AND I WILL NEVER TRAVEL WITH QANTAS AGAIN IF I CAN HELP IT. QANTAS WAS ALWAYS MY FIRST CHOICE BUT I WILL GO THE LONG WAY ROUND TO AVOID CREW & CONDITIONS LIKE THAT AGAIN. NO PILLOW,BLANKET OR TOILET PACK AND THEY RAN OUT OF FOOD. I WILL TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THIS!"
Cons: "Dark haired male crew member extremely rude except to two in row I58 & J58 who got 5 beers before departure,Food before everyone else, a gift pack from 1st class given before landing. I was refused extra bottled water. No entertainment the whole flight, Loud buzzing in galley 60H entire trip."
Pros: "Crew was very good"
Cons: "Not enough leg room for a 6’2” tall person."
Pros: "The crew were really good, kept us informed about the delays and what was happening, and they all remained upbeat and chatty"
Pros: "Very smooth, on time boarding. Food quality"
Cons: "The food is served on a tiny tray that only has room for the hot dish. Other items are piled on top. Recipe for items being dropped, getting crumbs everywhere and generally less comfortable eating experirnce. And stop using plastic cutlery!"
Pros: "Professional service.."
Cons: "Non.."
Pros: "Online check in"
Cons: "Boarding was slow and disorganised, food was cold and tasteless (chicken noodle) not helped that I had to wait for cutlery to be able to eat it"
Pros: "great food, entertainment & service"
Pros: "Great leg room. Good food and entertainment."
Pros: "The seats are comfortable and the service is first rate. Best airline out of Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, and Qantas based on my 3 trips to New Zealand"
Pros: "Normal standard for that kind of trip"
Pros: "Nothing paid a bomb and got nothing for it"
Cons: "Everything!! Never again will I be hoodwinked for the price of a standard seat"
Pros: "Friendly staff"
Cons: "One of the stewardesses perfume was quite overwhelming."
Cons: "The flight was cancelled and my itinerary was re-booked and going thru Melbourne to Perth. I lost half day of my life wasted in the Airport. The worst part of this change was flying on an old 737 thru Melbourne without the entertainment access for this long flight."
Pros: "warm food even on domestic flight"
Cons: "In flight wifi and entertainment didnt work"
Pros: "staff were very friendly"
Cons: "the entertainment equipment had a glitch and not function properly"
Pros: "Lunch served was good."
Cons: "The flight was delayed a bit."
Pros: "Could not fault"
Cons: "Flight was an hour late leaving. This caused me to miss the connection in Sydney (even though its gate was still shown as open when we arrived. There were a quite a few passengers booked on the connecting flight but Qantas made no attempt to get us on board it and instead re-booked us for the next flight which was scheduled for 2.5 hours later but, in fact, left nearly 3.5 hours later. Breakfast consisted of rubber egg."
Pros: "Crew member Trevor was funny and the perfect host. Good selection of movies."
Cons: "Seats are super uncomfortable and there is no privacy ... worst Business class facilities I’ve ever experienced. Seriously substandard might as well fly economy or better still use a different airline."
Pros: "We sat on the runway for an hour. The pilot communicated frequently about the delay. Efforts were made to connect passengers to their missed connections."
Cons: "Several of the flight attendants were rude. The food was not good. I should have known since the flight attendant serving me had not tried any of the options and couldn't recommend any to me. The plane does not have enough bathrooms for the number of passengers."
Pros: "Check-in & flight staff were very pleasant."
Cons: "The flight was one hour late. There was no entertainment system on the flight. The snack was mediocre."
Pros: "Entertainment - lots of movies"
Pros: "More legroom, bathrooms appeared to get serviced so they were not a mess, plenty of food and drinks available throughout the flight. Being able to order the meal ahead was a wonderful way to guarantee your choice. Well done!"
Pros: "Good crew"
Cons: "Poor meals in cardboard boxes"
Cons: "Seats very cramped with 6 children sharing seats invarea"
Pros: "Excellent"
Cons: "none"
Pros: "Excellent flight - great from start to finish. Free wifi was a bonus! delicious afternoon tea"
Pros: "Actually had wonderful vegan food for us. Express lane through customs/security. Separate biz check-in that actually worked. Good entertainment. Qantas Biz Lounge about the best lounge I've been in - just wonderful."
Cons: "Cant think of a thing."
Pros: "Individual usb charge port and meal"
Pros: "Flight was on time. Assistant at luggage drop off was very pleasant and helpful"
Pros: "Nothing"
Cons: "Everything"
Pros: "The flight itself was fine. Point a to point b with no hiccups."
Cons: "The cabin crew was rude and had no self awareness. 2 times where I wasn't finished with my drink and they grabbed it right out of my hands. I was grabbing it so they could clear everything else but they took it as me trying to hand it to them. Both times I told them I was still drinking that and they disregarded it and threw it in the trash without hesitation. It's like they were robots on autopilot. Also, the male attendant in my row would always bump me pretty severely with his bum while grabbing things from the cart."
Pros: "Dinner meal"
Cons: "Nil"
Pros: "A cut above all others"
Pros: "Professional efficiently run airline, end to end."
Cons: "As always for any airline it wouldn't hurt or cost much more if the food serves were just a little bigger,"
Cons: "Flight was delayed 4 hours. Passengers were given "meal" vouchers for terminal restaurants but they weren't valid on alcohol (which was needed after 4 hours of waiting!) Boarding was chaotic with everyone anxious to GO! Crew was cranky."
Pros: "Crew on the plane was a group of wonderful ladies. Always smiling & pleasant, even when they had to move people around. Great service with a smile."
Cons: "No info ahead of time about checking in. Once we got to the airport, I was told that I should have known better & checked in 24 hours prior. initially, the agent said that all seats are appropriated randomly. At the gate, I'm told different. I had to fight tooth & nail to get a seat next to my wife (who often gets airsick). It didn't feel good to have to argue & make a scene to accomplish this."
Pros: "The crew was very friendly and helpful and we were provided with breakfast even on this shorter flight."
Cons: "They didn't have as big of a selection of movies on their smaller plane."
Pros: "Staff were super accommodating and friendly. Best pillow I've had on a flight. Blankets were nice as well."
Cons: "Seats didn't accommodate my broad shoulders well. Seats seemed tighter than ones I've flow long distance on before ie. Iceland Air, New Zealand Air, and Emirates. Head phone jack is inside the seat arm rest which made it awkward when adjusting. No standard head phone jack but a converter is provided."
Pros: "On Time performance"
Cons: "Catering/Food"
Pros: "movie selection"
Cons: "Crew is not friendly or helpful Many times you couldn't get them. Serving process is very poor due to the process."
Pros: "Great service, great food"
Cons: "No leg room."
Pros: "We were given delay updates regularly, even when the delay time remained consistent."
Cons: "We had to empty our water bottles prior to getting on board which felt like a waste of resources. If it is necessary to do so, maybe it would be beneficial for the staff to let us know why we have to dump clean water down the drain."
Pros: "Nothing"
Cons: "Jetstar is just an airline that charges for everything. No customer service or personality. The carry-on bag rules apparently are not the same for everyone. Several people had multiple bags well exceeding 7kg. Of course the rest of us had to pay the bag fees. Just a company of crooks."
Pros: "Check in people were great. Staff very cheerful thanks."
Cons: "We had to pay double to check our bags at airport because we did not pre check them online. Ridiculous"
Pros: "We arrived to the airport 2.5 hours early which was too soon to check in. Instead of making us wait, the Jetstar attendant offered us an earlier flight. Very accommodating and thoughtful! Thanks so much Jetstar!"
Cons: "N/A"
Pros: "Carryon luggage is restricted to 7 kg. Conflicts with worldcstandards and then they apply it to foreigners, but not to Kiwis! They would not let me take on my roller bag, but many locals got to! 9"
Cons: "See above"
Pros: "Boarding was a breeze! Staff was very friendly"
Cons: "No free snacks or beverages... only available to purchase"
Pros: "Thanks for making my trip affordable, until I started wanting to check one bag over the 15-pound on-board limit, have some food, or even water!"
Cons: "It's important to be prepared for the extra costs associated with flying these low-cost airlines. I paid around $100 for each leg of my journey around Australia, Malaysia and Bali and it really added up. I had prepaid for the Air Asia flights, meaning I had to weigh my one checked bag, but didn't catch JetStar's rules until too late to do online. This resulted in additional fees, according to airport personnel."
Pros: "Nothing."
Cons: "By the time we paid for luggage fee and seat fee, it ended up to be more expensive than Qantas. Also, after our flight was cancelled due to weather, they were not very cooperative to take care of us - they put us on a flight two days later and didn't help us to get on an earlier flight on Qantas (their parent company)."
Pros: "Crew was very nice."
Cons: "Bare bones, you get nothing on this flight.... not even a plane ;). We did not try the food, and there was lots of small children that were tired..."
Cons: "The flight was late with no explanation as to why. We missed our connection to the second flight. We had to change our car rental plans, and it cost us twice as much. We had to spend 6 extra hours in the Auckland airport."
Cons: "No food or entertainment. Seats do narrow and MINIMAL leg room"
Pros: "Same as the previous review"
Cons: "Went online to check in and buy bags. Was able to buy one bag but was given message that I must finish check in and bag purchase at the airport. Got to airport and was told second bag was $150 and not $25. Said I should have purchased online. Explained that in one web session I was able to purchase one bag but denied option to buy second. No help or explanation. Not a fan of Jetstar or their web site."
Pros: "it was a short and very smooth flight. all the flight attendants were excellent."
Cons: "the flight we originally had booked got cancelled while we were in line to check our luggage. luckily we were 3 hours early for the flight and were able to catch a sooner flight."
Pros: "Staff apologized for slight delay due to weather which was no big deal. Fast boarding because they use the front door and aft door."
Cons: "I overpaid for my checked luggage and couldn't get a refund. I prepaid. You might as well tell people if you are bringing a suitcase, you have to pay. Ticket price should include one suitcase up top 15 kg- 20 kg."
Pros: "Smooth flight"
Cons: "Extra fees were unexpected."
Pros: "We survived."
Cons: "Screaming children, obnoxious passengers, forced to pay $120 to check two back packs, $5 coffee, rude staff... Will never fly this airline again."
Cons: "The entire experience"
Cons: "smooth flight"
Pros: "Boarding was easy."
Cons: "I got an email stating the flight time had been changed to 23:45 but when I arrived it still left at the 23:15 original time. I paid an extra $73 for bags which is robbery. The 4 hour flight was freezing cold and I can't even get a blanket or cup of water without being charged?!? I know this is a low cost airlines but that's ridiculous!! Your passengers are people too, no just profits!"
Cons: "Jet star line to check in was very long with only two people working"
Pros: "Would not provide boarding for next flight causing us to be remove from flight wanted to charge for a glass of water."
Pros: "Not much"
Cons: "Everything"
Pros: "Overall a good experience!"
Cons: "I did not like having to pay extra charges for luggage after I chose by booking. I thought I was choosing a "deal" and it was not the great deal I thought I had."
Pros: "Nothing."
Cons: "They charged us $140 to check two carryon-sized bags (which we were able to fit in overhead bins on all of our other flights during the trip). VERY disappointed. It was either abandon our carryons, or pay the $140. We felt like we were held hostage by this airline's policy and will never fly with Jetstar again."
Pros: "Ticket agent was so very kind. Not to mention the staff found and retuned my phone after we landed."
Pros: "The plane was relatively new."
Cons: "Boarding was late. Food selection was poor Entertainment choices were slim And obviously charging for luggage and food sucks."
Pros: "JetStar was the only carrier offering a non-stop from Adelaide to Cairns. That's why we chose it."
Cons: "Be aware that you get a 7 kg carry-on allowance, and pay for checked luggage, by weight. Cheapest to buy when you book the ticket, can be purchased before you get to the airport, and very expensive at the airport. Seats are jammed together, very little legroom. Best to know going in that it is a low-cost, no frills, no space airlines."
Pros: "The process from baggage check-in to boarding was seamless!"
Cons: "Baggage fees were not included in the original cost."
Cons: "Website set for not allowing early payment of baggage fees in order to charge penalties."
Cons: "Well of course we all know you have to pay for everything on Jetstar. And I wasn't interested in paying those exorbitant prices for their food and drink offer. They sell themselves as a cheap airline, but they are anything but."
Cons: "I checked into my international flight and had a bag that was within weight limit. The cost for checking said bag is listed at 50.00. The attendant told me I had to pay 215.77 to check my bag. I then pointed out the price is listed as 50.00 on line. The attendant then said if I checked the bag on line, I would only have to pay 50.00. However, since I already showed up to the counter, I could no longer check in on-line and would have to pay a different price. The attendant then changed the boarding time, by moving it up 15 minutes, and said I needed to check in with him now. The cost of checking a normal size bag, on an international flight, was as much as the cost of the plane ticket. I was completely deceived and forced to pay a higher price that went against stated policy. I never agreed to pay the higher price nor did I sign for it… I was just charged that amount. I agree that I should pay a fee for checking a bag. That fee should be the same as everyone else and the fact that I was not allowed to check in on line punished me financially."
Cons: "I was charged $160 AUD for a single bag. This is preposterous and I had no idea I had to get a separate ticket that includes luggage for this airline."
Pros: "Nothing"
Cons: "Spent 260 dollars on extra baggage fees, and you had to buy everything on board as an extra charge coffee, juice, anything. Total rip off"
Cons: "The ridiculously excessive charge to check a bag at the check-in counter!!!! Outrageous behaviour by airlines to have a policy of ripping people off! Never again Jetstar!!!!"
Pros: "Cheap fare"
Cons: "Restricted carry on weight limit"
Cons: "Its a discount carrier, so what do you expect except to get nickel and dime to death. Too costly, but they were the only airline that offered a direct flight that took 7.5 hours instead of 16 hours like the other major carriers."
Cons: "I had had to fly international as the flight originated from Japan. I had to clear customs in a special assistance line as the smart Gate didn't understand. So add 30_45 minutes to when you think you will be exciting the airport or transferring. Bring your own water and food. Nothing is complimentary or speedy. Don't bring coffee, hot liquids are not allowed. Also, make sure you booked the option with a checked bag or it's charged as excess and it's an exuberant amount."
Pros: "Quick flight. Had no check luggage which made it very easy; just on and off plane from Wellington to Christchurch in 35 minutes. For a such a short flight it was ok, would not fly with them for a longer flight."
Cons: "Fees and charges for everything."
Pros: "Flight was on time"
Cons: "we paid some NZ 200 to take luggage 38kg When I booked I did not realize that the allowance was 8kg only. The explanation for the high rate was that we should have informed Jetstar earlier. But.. how to change this when travelling ? This was the only nasty surprise during our 35 days stay in NZ Some warning on your website or lower rates are necessary regards Max"
Cons: "Didn't know about the low weight allowance for carry-on; glad you didn't weigh my bag ..."
Pros: "Return flight was not full, extra space to stretch"
Cons: "Had to carry carry-on suit case up and down stairs when boarded the plane. Based on the seat, half of the passengers boarded through regular ramped hall way, half boarded through back door that went downstairs to get out of the building, then up the stairs to the airplane. In Auckland airport international terminal, all passengers had to weight their carry-on and personal bags, and if it's more than seven kg, you have to check it in. This was the first time I experienced that. I bought gifts in the airport and planned to buy more. Our carry ons were a few kg over the limit, and we were sent back to the check in counter, where we just got our boarding passes and no warnings were given. We were lucky we had plenty of time during this transfer to go through all the back and forth hassles. Paying the extra $$ for the surprise check ins was not pleasant. There was another scale at the gate counter, which totally cancelled my shopping plan. To be fair, weight limit was not enforced when we boarded the plane, but you never know when that scale will be used. During the flight, I asked a flight attendant for water, and she told me to get it myself pointing the curtain half a plane away. Another new experience. This was the first time we took Jetstar, and on the way to New Zealand, we didn't feel it was too much different from the other airlines we flew before except you have to pay for everything from a cup of tea to meals and entertainment, and of course we didn't go through Auckland. The return trip really made us realize you get what you pay for."
Cons: "Despite being on the phone with them twice the day before discussing baggage, nothing was told me and my family paid $1200 at the airport to transport our luggage only one direction. Lousy service, charge for everything, telling everyone I know how horrible of an experience it was and to never, ever fly them!!!! Dr Robert Merrill"
Pros: "Could get rebate by phone."
Cons: "Were slow to let us know that flight was cancelled and that it could not be rescheduled for a few days. Had to personally book on another airline--missed two earlier flights on the other airline due to Jetstar's delay."
Pros: "This is an inexpensive airline where nothing is included in the price of your ticket. The cost is great."
Cons: "You pay for all the extras, luggage, seat assignments, drinks, and snacks. This was not easily identifiable on the website."
Pros: "As good as you can get, considering it was economy. I think that the 787 made it that way--wonderful plane! I love Jet Star--being able to up-grade to comfort without much problem."
Cons: "Ordering food, even though a better value than most cut-rate airlines, is a pain to remember, and was difficult for some on board. When you say there will be no other food, people don't want to believe you."
Pros: "Everything"
Cons: "Nothing"
Pros: "Straightforward."
Cons: "I had to pay fees for two extra luggage, there was no pre-warning about this."
Book cheap flights from Christchurch to Cairns
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14/8Mon
1 stopMultiple Airlines
13h 45mCHC-CNS
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12h 25mCNS-CHC
$773
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18h 40mCHC-CNS
28/8Mon
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12h 25mCNS-CHC
$779
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14h 20mCHC-CNS
28/8Mon
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12h 25mCNS-CHC
$807
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14h 20mCHC-CNS
28/8Mon
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12h 25mCNS-CHC
$813
14/8Mon
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13h 35mCHC-CNS
28/8Mon
2 stopsQantas Airways
16h 40mCNS-CHC
$1,107
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16h 40mCNS-CHC
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18h 40mCHC-CNS
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13h 45mCHC-CNS
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14h 10mCHC-CNS
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8h 40mCHC-CNS
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24h 30mCHC-CNS
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Christchurch - Cairns Flights
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