Airnorth
An Australian regional airline connecting Darwin and northern Australia with remote communities, resource centres and Dili using turboprop and regional-jet aircraft.
About Airnorth
Airnorth is an Australian regional airline founded in Darwin in 1978, initially providing charter flights across the Northern Territory. It subsequently developed scheduled passenger operations while retaining charter, contract, freight and ground-handling activities. The airline is part of the Bristow Group but maintains its own identity, operating under the Airnorth name and the TL airline code from its longstanding base in northern Australia.
Darwin is Airnorth’s primary hub and the most important departure point in its network. The airline operates 36 routes serving 16 destinations across Australia and Timor-Leste. Its schedule links remote Northern Territory communities with regional centres in Western Australia and Queensland, while Dili provides the international component. Broome, Kununurra, Maningrida and Gove are also significant departure airports within the network.
Aircraft types associated with Airnorth’s operations include the Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia, Embraer ERJ-170 and Fairchild Metro or Merlin family. This combination of turboprops and regional jets allows the airline to match capacity and runway requirements to varied destinations. Scheduled flights generally offer a single economy-style cabin, although seating, overhead storage, baggage limits and onboard service can differ according to the aircraft assigned.
Airnorth does not belong to Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld and does not operate its own named frequent-flyer programme. It has maintained a commercial relationship with Qantas, including codeshare arrangements on eligible services. Qantas Frequent Flyer benefits may therefore be available when a flight is booked under an eligible Qantas flight number, but travellers should confirm points, baggage and connection conditions for their specific itinerary.
Airnorth’s main strength is its ability to connect communities and industrial centres that have limited direct air links, reducing the need to travel through distant capital cities. The mixed regional fleet is suited to airports with different traffic levels and operating constraints. However, services on thinner routes may run less frequently than major domestic flights, and weather or operational disruption can leave fewer same-day alternatives, making generous connection times advisable.
Good to know
Flying with Airnorth — what to expect
Aircraft-Specific Baggage
Carry-on limits and storage space vary between Airnorth’s smaller turboprops and regional jets. Check the allowance for the aircraft operating your flight rather than assuming a standard mainline-airline policy.
Allow Connection Time
Many Airnorth routes operate less frequently than services between major Australian cities. Leave a practical buffer before separate-ticket or long-haul connections, particularly when travelling through Darwin.
Remote Airport Facilities
Some destinations have compact terminals, limited retail facilities and few ground-transport options. Arrange transfers in advance and carry essential items with you.
Qantas Flight Numbers
Eligible codeshare bookings carrying a Qantas flight number may provide Qantas Frequent Flyer or connection benefits. Confirm the flight number and fare conditions before expecting points, through-checked baggage or other privileges.
Single-Cabin Aircraft
Scheduled services generally use an economy-style cabin, but seat dimensions and cabin storage depend on the aircraft type. Smaller turboprops can feel more compact than the Embraer regional jet.
Check Operational Alerts
Weather, restricted airspace and conditions at remote airports can affect regional schedules. Review Airnorth’s flight status and travel alerts before leaving for the airport.
Network overview
Where Airnorth flies
Airnorth operates 36 routes to 16 destinations across 2 countries, its longest sector reaching Kununurra to Perth (2,211 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Airnorth flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Kununurra → Perth
2,211 km · KNX → PER
The longest sector in the Airnorth network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by Airnorth
Notable destinations on Airnorth's network.
TLDarwindirectTLBroomedirectTLKununurradirectTLManingridadirectTLGovedirectTLGroote EylandtdirectTLKarrathadirectTLMount IsadirectTLPort HedlanddirectTLDilidirectTLElcho IslanddirectTLGold CoastdirectDestination list is indicative of Airnorth's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
More from Australia
Other airlines based in Australia
FAQ
Airnorth — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.
- Airnorth’s primary hub is Darwin International Airport. Darwin has the largest number of departures in its network and serves as the principal connecting point.
- Carry-on requirements depend on the aircraft type and available cabin storage, with smaller turboprops generally imposing tighter limits than regional jets. Passengers should check Airnorth’s current baggage guidance for their specific flight.
- Airnorth flies within Australia and to Dili in Timor-Leste. Its destinations include Darwin, Broome, Kununurra, Maningrida, Gove, Groote Eylandt, Karratha, Mount Isa, Port Hedland, Elcho Island and the Gold Coast.
- Airnorth’s busiest departure hubs by number of routes are Darwin, Broome, Kununurra, Maningrida and Gove, in that order. Darwin is the airline’s primary hub.
- Lower fares are generally more available when passengers book early and avoid school holidays, major events and peak travel periods in northern Australia. Comparing nearby dates can help, but the least expensive fares may have stricter change conditions.
- Airnorth’s longest route is Kununurra to Perth, covering about 2,211 km nonstop.
- Airnorth serves exactly 16 destinations across 2 countries. Its network comprises 36 routes.