Fly direct to Cape Town: United Airlines expands U.S. routes this October!

Effective 29 October 2025, United Airlines will adjust its South Africa flight schedule to better meet growing demand for direct U.S.<> Cape Town travel. One of its daily Johannesburg <> Newark flights will be transferred to Cape Town, reducing the Johannesburg <> Newark service to six weekly flights.

The transferred frequency will boost Cape Town's connectivity, resulting in four weekly Cape Town <> Newark flights and three weekly Cape Town <> Washington, D.C. flights. This expansion provides U.S. travellers with more options for direct flights to the Western Cape, enhancing Cape Town's position as a premier tourist and business destination.

United’s seasonal adjustments reflect the airline’s strategy to expand its U.S.–South Africa network, catering to the increasing interest in South Africa's coastal cities and iconic destinations. Travellers can now conveniently access Cape Town while still maintaining robust connectivity to Johannesburg.

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Virgin Atlantic extends London <> Cape Town flights into April 2026!

Virgin Atlantic has announced exciting news for South African and international travellers: its popular seasonal daily service between in London and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town will operate for an extra month in 2026. The extension is designed to meet soaring demand over the Easter peak travel season, giving holidaymakers and business travellers more flexibility and seat availability on this high-demand route. 
Traditionally, Virgin Atlantic’s Cape Town flights run from mid-October to late March. For the upcoming 2025/2026 season, services will begin on 13 October 2025 and initially operate until 28 March 2026.
Now, in a welcome update, the airline will extend operations until 19 April 2026, providing an additional month of connectivity. This means approximately 17,000 extra seats will be available between London and Cape Town during this period.
From 26 October 2025 through 28 March 2026, Virgin Atlantic will operate a double-overnight flight schedule, designed for comfort and seamless onward connections:

• VS 478: London (22:30) > Cape Town (12:10 +1 day)
• VS 479: Cape Town (21:55) > London (07:45 +1 day)

This timing allows travellers to sleep on board, arrive refreshed, and easily connect to onward flights through Heathrow’s extensive global network. The Cape Town route will be served by the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, known for its fuel efficiency, reduced cabin altitude, and enhanced passenger comfort.

Seamless US Connections via London
Virgin Atlantic has also optimised the Cape Town schedule to align with its extensive United States route network. Passengers arriving in London can connect on the same day to major US cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Orlando, making this extension particularly attractive for both leisure and corporate travellers heading across the Atlantic.

With this extension, Virgin Atlantic is reaffirming its commitment to Cape Town as a premier long-haul destination while offering travellers more options during peak demand.

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USA: United Airlines and Delta Air Lines plan more flights to Cape Town for the IATA Winter 2025/26!

Good news for travellers from the U.S. planning a trip to South Africa! United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have both applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to increase their flights to Cape Town for the IATA Winter 2025/26 season. If approved, these changes will provide greater flexibility and more options for passengers flying between the U.S. and South Africa.

United Airlines aims to boost its service between Newark Liberty International Airpor (EWR), wihch is serving the New York metropolitan area, and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town from three to four weekly flights. To accommodate this change, the airline plans to reallocate one frequency from its existing route betweem Newark and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, which would then operate six times per week instead of daily. Additionally, United has requested the flexibility to operate select Newark <> Johannesburg flights with a stop in Cape Town when necessary.

These adjustments align with seasonal demand and operational efficiency, allowing United to cater more effectively to passengers traveling to South Africa during the peak summer months.

Delta Air Lines is also making strategic adjustments to meet the growing demand for flights to Cape Town. The airline has applied to increase its route between Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta and Cape Town from three to five weekly flights between 26 October 2025 and 28 March 2026. This expansion will be made possible by reallocating two of Delta Air Lines’ seven weekly frequencies on its Atlanta <> Johannesburg route.

After the peak travel season ends, Delta Air Lines intends to revert to its daily Atlanta <> Johannesburg schedule. The additional Cape Town flights will be operated using state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft, ensuring a comfortable journey for passengers.

If these applications are approved by the DOT, travelers will benefit from:

• Increased flight availability between the U.S. and Cape Town
• Greater flexibility in scheduling trips
• More options for one-stop connectivity via Newark and Atlanta

Both United Airlines and Delta Air Lines' plans highlight the growing demand for travel to Cape Town, particularly during the southern hemisphere's summer season. These changes are set to enhance the overall travel experience for passengers flying between North America and South Africa.

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Windhoek: The US Embassy has now officially moved to its new location!

The US Embassy in Windhoek, Namibia, has now officially moved to its new location. The ceremonial lowering of the American flag and the removal of the Great Seal at the site of the old U.S. Embassy on 14 Lossen Street took place on 26 January 2024. Moments later, the American flag was raised for the first time at the new U.S. Embassy building. The new U.S. Embassy is now fully operational at 38 Metje Street in Klein Windhoek. The state-of-the-art facility is equipped to meet the evolving diplomatic, consular, health, and cultural needs, providing a platform for enhanced engagement between the US and Namibia. The grand opening of the new US Embassy Compound in Windhoek already took place on 07 December 2023.

Zambia waives tourist visa requirements for several countries! [update]

update (09 January 2023): According to a statutory instrument issued by the Zambian Government on 02 November 2022, the following 43 countries are on the list of visa-exempt countries. Visa-exempt nationals are allowed to remain in Zambia up to 30 days with an option to extend up to 90 days. The following countries are exempt from visa requirements:
Australia, Canada, Norway, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, US, UK, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and China

The Zambia Tourism Agency announced on 30 September 2022 that Zambia has waived tourist visa requirements for citizens from several countries in a bid to boost tourism. Effective since 01 October 2022, citizens of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, Norway, Australia, China, South Korea, Gulf States and the European Union no longer need a tourist visa to visit Zambia. 

USA: Delta Air Lines to launch its South Africa triangle route in December 2022!

Major US airline Delta Air Lines has announced the launch date of its seasonal triangular route between Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta in Georgia and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town via OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. The airline will introduce the new four-weekly service from 02 December 2022. The route will offer international travel only – customers will not be able to travel domestically from Johannesburg to Cape Town.

The seasonal “triangle” route will operate as follows:

• Atlanta 18:00 > 16:05 Johannesburg on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays
• Johannesburg 18:20 > 20:35 Cape Town on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
• Cape Town 22:50 > 08:00 Atlanta on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

Delta Air Lines' new seasonal triangular route will complement the airline's nonstop service from both Cape Town and Johannesburg to Atlanta and will mean both cities will have daily operations to the US by the end of this year. The Cape Town <> Atlanta, non-stop, thrice-weekly route will commence on 17 December 2022.

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USA: Delta Air Lines to introduce flights between Atlanta <> Cape Town!

Major US-American airline Delta Air Lines is set to launch new route to Cape Town in South Africa. The airline will operate a three weekly nonstop service on board an Airbus A350-900 between Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. Delta Air Lines is planning to commence operations on 17 December 2022. Operation of this route is subject to final government approval.
With the addition of service to Cape Town from Atlanta, Delta Air Lies will expand on its leading position serving Africa, providing 10 times weekly service to South Africa specifically, via Cape Town and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg.

• Atlanta 20:50 > 18:15+1 Cape Town on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays
• Cape Town 22:50 > 08:00+1 Atlanta on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays

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United Airlines to become first airline to fly nonstop between Washington D.C. <> Cape Town!

United Airlines, one of the major American airlines, is set to become the first airline to provide nonstop roundtrip service between Washington D.C. and Cape Town in South Africa. The U.S. Department of Transportation granted the airline three weekly direct flights between Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington D.C. and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, which will commence on 17 (18?) November 2022 (subject to approval by the South Africa Government). Tickets are already on sale. United Airlines' new flights will connect Cape Town to 55 U.S. cities, representing more than 92% of the U.S. travel demand. The new flights will also allow customers to connect in Cape Town to other points in South Africa, and to other countries in the southern region of the African continent with United Airlines' South African based partner Airlink and their Cape Town hub. 

United Airlines will fly a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on the new route between Washington D.C. and Cape Town, which features 48 lie-flat business class seats, 21 United Premium Plus® seats and 188 economy seats.
United Airlines started seasonal service from New York/Newark to Cape Townin 2019 and expanded to year-round service in 2022. United Airlines has more flights to South Africa than any other North American airline.

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United Airlines expanded its New York/ Newark <> Cape Town route to a year-round, three times per week service!

United Airlines, one of the major American airlines, has officially expanded its service to Cape Town on 06 June 2022 with three non-stop flights per week, year-round, between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in the New York metropolitan area and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, following its decision to resume their direct flights between Newark/New York and the Mother City, ahead of the initial schedule. Flights are operated on board a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
The USA has historically been Cape Town's third largest international market, with two-way passenger volumes between the United States and Cape Town equalling 213 000 passengers in 2019.

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USA: Delta Air Lines finally gets approval for South Africa triangle route!

Major US airline Delta Air Lines's application to fly a triangular route between Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta in Georgia and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town via OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg has finally been approved by the South African government. The airline has tried for nearly two years to win approval from the South African government to operate this routing. According to news reports, Delta Air Lines is now planning to launch the triangular route Atlanta > Johannesburg > Cape Town > Atlanta later in 2022 to offer its customers more choice of travel between the U.S. and South Africa. We'll keep you posted!

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United Airlines to launch non-stop flights between Washington D.C. <> Cape Town! [update #2]

update (18 July 2022): The US Department of Transport and the South African Government have agreed to increase the number of flights between the US and South Africa from 21 to 23 weekly flights. This allows both Delta Air Lines and United Airlines to operate flights to Cape Town. The airlines previously had applied for thrice-weekly flights to the Mother City. Delta and United now have extra flights for their winter season –  but they must both launch their flights within 90 days of 17 November 2022.

update (19 May 2022): United Airlines and its competitor Delta Air Lines are both planning to launch direct flights to Cape Town. United Airlines is set to launch flights from Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington D.C., while Delta wants to fly from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta to the Mother City. According to the US-South Africa Air Transport Agreement, there is only one last remaining flight frequency between the US and South Africa allowed, so both airlines are currently battling with the authorities for the availabe slot. We'll keep you posted!

United Airlines, one of the major American airlines, is planning to launch a new non-stop service to South Africa. Subject to approval by the US Department of Transportation, the airline is set to operate a three weekly year-round service between Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington D.C. and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town from 17 November 2022. United Airlines' proposed flight will depart Washington D.C. at 18:30 on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays and arrive in Cape Town the following day at 16:15. On the return, the proposed flight will depart Cape Town at 21:00 on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundasy and arrive in  Washington D.C. the following day at 06:00. Flights will be operated on board a 257 seat Boeing 787-9. We'll keep you posted!

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USA: Delta Air Lines to launch nonstop flights between Atlanta <> Cape Town!

According to Wesgro, the official Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency for Cape Town & the Western Cape, major US airline Delta Air Lines is planning to launch a year-round three times weekly nonstop service between Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. The airline is planning to commence operations on 18 November 2022. The round trip from Atlanta to Cape Town will be the airline’s second destination in South Africa, after Johannesburg, which it already serves from Atlanta.
In addition, Delta Air Lines is still seeking South African government approval for the triangle route Atlanta > Johannesburg > Cape Town > Atlanta, after failing to win the approval of the South African government in 2020 and 2021. We'll keep you posted!

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USA: United Airlines plans to expand service to Cape Town with year-round, non-stop flights from New York/Newark!

United Airlines, one of the major American airlines, has announced it plans to offer three non-stop flights a week, year-round, between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in the New York metropolitan area and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, subject to government approval. The new schedule is set to start on 05 June 2022. Flights will be operated on board a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Tickets are already available for sale.

United Airlines is the only airline to offer nonstop flights between the U.S. and Cape Town and offers more flights to South Africa than any other North American carrier. 

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New Covid-19 variant: USA and Canada are also restricting travel from Southern Africa! [update]

update (29 December 2021): Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on 31 December 2021, fully vaccinated foreign nationals who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Malawi will again be allowed to enter the United States.
Canada lifted its travel restriction on flights from South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Nigeria, Malawi and Egypt already on 19 December 2021.

Following the detection of the heavily mutated omicron variant of Covid-19 in South Africa, the US Government has decided to restrict travel to the US for non-U.S. citizens from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Malawi starting 29 November 2021. The travel ban will not apply to citizens of the USA or lawful permanent residents, but they will need to show a negative coronavirus test before coming to the United States.
Canada is also restricting travel to and from Southern Africa. Foreign travellers who have been to South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia and Eswatini in the past 14 days are barred from entering the country. We'll keep you posted!

USA: Delta Air Lines to increase flights to South Africa!

Major US airline Delta Air Lines is planning to expand its services to South Africa. According to news reports, the airline is set to increase flight frequencies between Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg from the current three weekly flights to five weekly flights from 19 December 2021. Flights to Johannesburg will then be operated on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, while the return flights back to Atlanta will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

• Atlanta 18:05 > 16:30+1 Johannesburg
• Johannesburg 22:55 > 08:15+1 Atlanta

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United Airlines to resume flights to Cape Town!

United Airlines, one of the major American airlines, is set to return to Cape Town in South Africa. The airline is planing to resume nonstop flights between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in the New York metropolitan area and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town on 01 December 2021.
United Airlines and South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink recently signed a codeshare agreement that will offer one stop connections from the U.S. to 45 destinations in Southern Africa and East Africa, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Tanzania, Uganda and the DR Congo.

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South Africa: Airlink and United Airlines (USA) announce codeshare and loyalty program agreement!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink and United Airlines, one of the major American airlines, have announced a codeshare agreement that will offer customers more connections between the U.S. and Southern Africa than any other airline partnership. According to the two airlines, the new agreement, which is subject to government approval, will offer one stop connections from the U.S. to 45 destinations in Southern Africa and East Africa, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Tanzania, Uganda and the DR Congo. Additionally, United Airlines will be the first airline to combine its loyalty program with Airlink, allowing MileagePlus members to earn and redeem miles when they travel on Airlink’s flights. The airlines expect full implementation of the codeshare agreement to come into effect in the coming months.
Earlier this year, United Airlines launched a new service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in the New York metropolitan area and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington, D.C. and Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra, Ghana, which is expected to operate daily this December and January. The airline’s popular service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town will also resume on 01 December 2021.

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South Africa: US airline Delta Air Lines now offering flights to Cape Town via Nairobi!

Major US airline Delta Air Lines and Kenya's flag carrier, Kenya Airways, have expanded their codeshare agreement, increasing the choice of destinations offered by Delta Air Lines in Africa and extending Kenya Airways’ reach in North America via John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City. Through the enhanced agreement Delta-marketed codeshare flights are available on Kenya Airways’ services from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town (South Africa), RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) Harare (Zimbabwe) and Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali (Rwanda). It also enables Delta customers flying nonstop on the airline’s services from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Accra (Ghana) to connect with Delta-marketed codeshare flights to Monrovia (Liberia) and Freetown (Sierra Leone) operated by Kenya Airways.
From John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Kenya Airways has placed its code on Delta Air Lines'  services to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia, next to the border of Washington, D.C., as well as to Indianapolis International Airport (IND) in  Indianapolis, Indiana. Other destinations within the codeshare include Chicago in Illinois, Denver in Colorado, Orlando in Florida, Miami in Florida, Raleigh in North Carolina, Phoenix in Arizona and Charlotte in North Carolina.

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USA: Delta Air Lines to resume flights to South Africa in August 2021! [update]

update (24 June 2021): According to news reports, the South African Government blocked Delta Air Lines from including Cape Town in its route. Read more.

Major US airline Delta Air Lines is planning to return to South Africa in August 2021. However, the airline has changed its initial plans and will not operate a triangular route (Atlanta > Johannesburg > Cape Town > Atlanta). Instead Delta Air Lines will launch a direct service between Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg on 01 August 2021. Between 01 August 2021 and 08 September 2021 the airline will run three weekly return flights to Johannesburg. From 08 September 2021 Delta Air Lines is planning to increase the service to daily flights.

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United Airlines sets a new date for the launch of flights between Newark <> Johannesburg! [update]

update (25 May 2021): United Airlines has announced that it will resume a seasonal service to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town at the end of October 2021.

United Airlines, one of the major American airlines, has announced a new date for the launch of its service to Johannesburg in South Africa. According to a press release by the airline, daily flights between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in the New York metropolitan area and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg will start on 03 June 2021 (subject to government approval). Further details will be provided in due course. According to a previous announcement, United Airlines is planning to resume flights to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town in the Northern hemisphere winter travel season 2021. We'll keep you posted!

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