Jetstar AirwaysJQ
Flights JQ678 13:15 Tu We Fr Su
live
Direct flights from Melbourne (MEL) to Darwin (DRW): 14 nonstop departures observed each week across 3 airlines. 92% of the last 12 tracked flights arrived within 15 minutes of schedule. The median arrival is 8 minutes late. No cancellations were recorded across the 12 tracked flights. The nonstop covers 3,132 km, an estimated 4 hours 31 minutes in the air. Measured by Pro Flight Search from live flight boards at Melbourne and Darwin. Updated 5 November 2026 at 10:07 UTC.
Today, MEL → DRW
Thu 5 Nov · local times- 09:25 QF836Qantas Left 09:35 +10 Landed 12:20 −10
Checked MEL board 16:26 · DRW board 19:37
MEL
Melbourne
smooth · +10
DRW
Darwin
smooth · +0
3,132 km · ~4h 31m est.
Runs reliable · 3 airlines · 14x weekly · nonstop
92% on time
of the last 12 tracked MEL → DRW flights arrived within 15 minutes
Median arrival delay is +8 min. 0 of 12 tracked legs cancelled in the sample. Will a delayed flight be cancelled? →
Median arrival+8 minacross the last 12 arrivals
Flight time~4h 31mestimated from route distance
Weekly departures14x3 direct airlines on the leg
Cancelled0.0%recent route rate · 0 of 12
The week
scheduled departures · origin local time06121824
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Jetstar AirwaysQantas AirwaysVirgin Australia
Each mark is a scheduled departure at its origin-local time, observed operating in the last 7 days. Today is highlighted.
Who flies it
observed on the boards · 7 daysHistory
operated legs · board outcomesActual board outcomes rather than schedules, paired departure and arrival per flight and day.
Full board history, day by day →
Airports right now
live boardsWeather lens
Conditions are tightest at MEL: a 34% chance of a 15+ minute delay. In this weather, the more delayed of the two airports is typically about +9 min. Both figures come from the two airports' delay records in similar weather. See live delays → · Weather risk by airport →
next sweep in 120s
How the Melbourne to Darwin route actually runs
Pro Flight Search records official board updates for nonstop MEL to DRW flights through the day: schedules, estimates, gate pushes and actual departures. The verdict above comes from operated flights, so it reflects what this route does rather than what the timetable promises.
Planning around a delay? Live airport delays · Weather delay risk map · Will a delayed flight be cancelled? · Do planes make up time in the air? · How we measure
Cite this data
Journalists, bloggers, and researchers may cite this page with attribution and a link to Pro Flight Search.
Suggested citation
Pro Flight Search: Melbourne (MEL) to Darwin (DRW) route reliability, measured from operated flights on official airport boards.
Canonical URL
How we measure this →
https://proflightsearch.com/search-flights/MEL-DRW
MEL to DRW questions
Is MEL–DRW running on time right now?
Smooth skies ahead. The departure side at MEL is the weaker end, route health score 93/100. The airports section above carries the live status and delay window at both ends.
Morning or evening flight on MEL–DRW?
Operators schedule morning departures around 09:25 and evening departures around 20:45 from MEL. Earlier flights typically land before destination-airport delays accumulate later in the day; check the DRW delay card to confirm conditions when you'd arrive.
How long is the flight from MEL to DRW?
Great-circle distance is 3,132 km. With typical jet cruise speed plus taxi, climb and descent, expect roughly 251–298 min gate-to-gate on this route.
How often does MEL–DRW fly?
3 carriers operate this route, around 14 flights a week between them. Compare carrier days and times in the airline list above.
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