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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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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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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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: 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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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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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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South Africa: United Airlines is planning to return to South Africa! [update]

update (01 December 2020): United Airlines has changed plans and will not be operating flights to Cape Town in spring 2021 (March - May 2021). Instead the airline is planning to resume flights to Cape Town in the  Northern hemisphere winter travel season 2021. The new non-stop daily service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Johannesburg will be launched on 28 March 2021.

United Airlines, one of the major American airlines, is planning to launch daily nonstop flights between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in the New York metropolitan area and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg in spring 2021 (March - May 2021). The new service, which will be the only roundtrip, nonstop service from the United States to Johannesburg by a U.S carrier, is currently subject to government approval. United Airlines is also planning to resume its seasonal, three-times-weekly service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town in spring 2021 (March - May 2021). 

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United Airlines to launch a nonstop service between New York <> Cape Town! [update]

update (03 May 2019): Tickets have gone on sale for United Airlines' new direct flights between Cape Town and New York City.

Major American airline United Airlines has applied with the U.S. Department of Transportation for authority to launch a nonstop seasonal service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which serves the New York City - Philadelphia Urban Area, and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. Effective 15 December 2019, the airline is planning to operate three weekly return flights to Cape Town on board a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft featuring 48 seats in business class, 88 seats in economy plus and 116 seats in economy.
The nonstop service, which will be the only nonstop service between the United States and Cape Town, will decrease the current travel time from New York City to the Mother City by more than four hours and provide customers from more than 80 U.S. cities with easy one-stop access to Cape Town.

• New York/New Ark 20:30 > 18:00+1 Cape Town
• Cape Town 20:50 > 05:45+1 New York/New Ark

Three U.S. airlines ban transport of hunting trophies!

Three airlines from the USA, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Arlines, have announced they will no longer transport buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion or rhino trophies with immediate effect. Delta Air Lines is currently the biggest U.S. carrier to Africa, while United Airlines serves only one destination in Africa. (Lagos, Nigeria). American Arlines currently offers no flights to Africa.

.@Delta bans shipment of lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo trophies @DeltaNewsHub http://t.co/ZrAPBTqIQh

— Delta News Hub (@DeltaNewsHub) August 3, 2015

Effective immediately, we will no longer transport buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion or rhino trophies.

— American Airlines (@AmericanAir) August 4, 2015

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