This star is a part of the Cygnus OB2 association, which is 1.74 ± 0.2 kpc away. This is one of the nearest massive star groups to the Sun. This group includes some of the most massive and most luminous stars known, including the suspected luminous blue variable Cyg OB2 #12. NML Cyg is a massive oxygen-rich star. Molecules like HO, SiO, CO, HCN, CS, SO, SO and HS are also present.