Turkish Airlines is adding three extra weekly flights each to Johannesburg and Cape Town, raising its South Africa schedule from 14 to 20 weekly flights. The extra Johannesburg flights start on 25 October 2026, followed by Cape Town on 26 October 2026. The additional services run through the 2026/27 summer season.
For travellers, this means more choice of travel days and more flexible connections via Istanbul to Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.
What is changing?
- Johannesburg: 7 to 10 weekly flights from 25 October 2026
- Cape Town: 7 to 10 weekly flights from 26 October 2026
- Total: 14 to 20 weekly flights
Which days do the extra flights operate?
- Istanbul to Johannesburg (TK 242): Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, departing 13:30 and arriving 22:25
- Johannesburg to Istanbul (TK 243): Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, departing 00:20 and arriving 11:25
- Istanbul to Cape Town (TK 46): Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays, departing 13:05 and arriving 23:00
- Cape Town to Istanbul (TK 47): Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays
TK 243 leaves Johannesburg just after midnight, so check the departure date carefully when booking.
How long will the extra flights operate?
The increase is seasonal. The additional Johannesburg flights are scheduled until 27 March 2027, and the extra Cape Town flights until 28 March 2027. Outside this period, travellers should expect the current schedule of seven weekly flights per city.
Why is Turkish Airlines adding flights?
South Africa's Department of Tourism says the expansion is supported by growing demand: arrivals from Türkiye in May 2026 were 92% higher than in May 2025. South African Tourism and Turkish Airlines have also agreed on a joint destination marketing campaign for the route.
What does it mean for travellers?
Ten weekly flights per city make it easier to find a suitable departure day, and open-jaw itineraries (for example, flying into Johannesburg and home from Cape Town) become simpler to plan. Eligible passengers with a longer layover can also use Turkish Airlines' Touristanbul and Stopover in Istanbul programmes.
Note that the new flights arrive in Johannesburg at 22:25 and in Cape Town at 23:00, so plan your airport transfer or car hire pick-up accordingly.
What travellers should know
- Airline: Turkish Airlines, via Istanbul
- Routes: Johannesburg and Cape Town
- Change: three additional weekly flights per route (14 to 20 in total)
- Start: 25 October 2026 (Johannesburg), 26 October 2026 (Cape Town)
- End: 27 March 2027 (Johannesburg), 28 March 2027 (Cape Town)
- Type: seasonal increase, not a permanent change
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