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CNS → ASP
Which side of the plane to sit from Cairns International Airport (Cairns) to Alice Springs Airport (Alice Springs)?
Left Side of the Plane
The Left Side (Port) offers a superior transition from the turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef and the emerald Atherton Tablelands into the striking red desert landscapes of the Australian interior.
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Great Barrier Reef
Stunning aerial views of the reef's fringe and the Coral Sea immediately following takeoff from Cairns.
Atherton Tablelands
Lush, fertile volcanic plateaus and crater lakes that provide a sharp contrast to the upcoming desert.
Undara Lava Tubes
The remains of one of the world's longest lava flows, appearing as dark, winding lines of vegetation in the scrub.
Channel Country
Intricate, braided river systems and floodplains that create natural 'lace' patterns across the arid landscape.
Todd River
The dry, sandy bed of the Todd River snaking through the landscape as you descend into the Red Centre.
Sit behind the wing for an unobstructed view of the reef during departure. This side is particularly spectacular during afternoon flights, as the sun illuminates the 'desert lace' of the Channel Country. Keep an eye out for the distinct change from tropical green to ochre red roughly 40 minutes into the flight.
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Cairns City
A bird's-eye view of the Cairns CBD and the Trinity Inlet if departing to the north.
Wet Tropics Rainforest
Dense, prehistoric rainforest canopies covering the rugged mountains of the Great Dividing Range.
Barkly Tableland
Vast, golden Mitchell grass plains that illustrate the immense scale of the Australian Outback.
West MacDonnell Ranges
The iconic, ancient folded mountain ridges that frame Alice Springs, most visible during the final descent.
The right side is ideal for morning flights to avoid direct sun glare. It provides the best perspective of the MacDonnell Ranges' geological folds just before landing. Look for the shadows cast by the deep gorges near Alice Springs, which are most dramatic in the late afternoon.
Book Hotels in Alice SpringsDistance: 1,455 km (904 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 56 min
Departure: CNS (-16.885799408, 145.755004883)
Arrival: ASP (-23.806699752807617, 133.90199279785156)
Route Type: Domestic
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