Air France brings back direct Paris - Cape Town flights

Travellers flying between Europe and Cape Town will have another nonstop option this southern summer as Air France brings back its seasonal service between Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and Cape Town International Airport (CPT).

The route is scheduled to operate from 22 September 2026 until 27 March 2027, making it particularly useful for European travellers heading to Cape Town for a southern African summer holiday, a city break or onward travel through the region.

More flights during the peak season

Air France will initially operate the Paris - Cape Town route three times a week:

22 September – 31 October 2026

• Paris > Cape Town (Tue/Fri/Sun): depart 10:25, arrive 22:10
• Cape Town > Paris (Mon/Wed/Sat): depart 00:15, arrive 12:15

One important detail for travellers: despite the departure technically being just after midnight, passengers will need to be at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) on the evening before the departure date.

From 01 November 2026, Air France's Cape Town–Paris service steps up to five flights a week, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and continuing on that pattern until the season ends on 27 March 2027. Confirmed timings so far cover the Cape Town–Paris direction: departure from Cape Town at 08:30, arriving in Paris at 19:20. Air France hasn't published a separate schedule for the return Paris–Cape Town leg, but as this is presented as a single five-weekly-frequency route rather than two independently timed services, it's likely the return flights operate on the same five days — most plausibly departing Paris in the evening for an overnight flight back to Cape Town. Travellers should check Air France's official timetable for the exact Paris departure time before booking.

Why the route matters for visitors to South Africa

The return of Air France's nonstop Paris–Cape Town service gives travellers from France and elsewhere in Europe a direct way to reach South Africa during the 2026/27 summer season, without having to connect elsewhere in Europe or through another African hub.

For visitors planning a Cape Town holiday, a Garden Route road trip or a wider Southern African itinerary, flying directly into Cape Town can make the start of the journey more convenient. Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris is also one of Air France's major connecting hubs, offering onward connections across France, Europe and further afield for travellers continuing their journey after visiting South Africa.

The route also provides another option for South African travellers heading to Europe, while adding capacity during the busy summer tourism season, when demand for flights between Europe and Cape Town traditionally increases.

As always, flight schedules and frequencies can change, so travellers should check the latest details when making their booking.

Bottom line

Air France's seasonal nonstop Paris–Cape Town service returns on 22 September 2026, initially with three weekly flights before increasing to five flights a week from 01 November 2026. The route is scheduled to operate until 27 March 2027, giving travellers another direct link between the Mother City and one of Europe's biggest aviation hubs. 

 

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Air France extends Paris <> Cape Town seasonal route until May 2026!

Air France, the national airline of France, has announced the extension of its popular seasonal route between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town until 03 May 2026. Initially scheduled to conclude in March 2026, the nonstop service will now continue for an additional two months in response to strong passenger demand from both South African and international travellers.
Operated by Air France’s modern Airbus A350, the daily flights provide a comfortable and direct connection between Paris and Cape Town, with convenient onward links across Europe and beyond through the airline’s extensive global network.

Flight Schedule:

• Paris (CDG) > Cape Town (CPT): 18:30 > 06:45 (+1 day)
• Cape Town (CPT) > Paris (CDG): 08:50 > 19:20

This extended schedule allows travellers even greater flexibility to explore France’s capital city or enjoy Cape Town's summer season, making it easier than ever to plan unforgettable journeys between Europe and Southern Africa.

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New Southern African destinations via Airlink for Emirates and Air France passengers!

South Africa's privately-owned regional airline, Airlink, is set to strengthen its position as a key regional connector with expanded codeshare partnerships with global carriers Emirates and Air France. These enhancements will significantly improve travel options for international passengers accessing remote and regional destinations across Southern Africa.
Starting 01 August 2025, Emirates will expand its successful partnership with Airlink by placing its "EK" flight code on three additional Airlink-operated routes from Johannesburg:

• Johannesburg – Beira (Mozambique)
• Johannesburg – Livingstone (Zambia)
• Johannesburg – Ndola (Zambia)

This builds on a well-established codeshare agreement that already connects Emirates passengers to over 40 cities across Southern Africa, including key domestic destinations in South Africa as well as regional hubs in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and beyond.
The enhanced partnership allows travellers to benefit from single-ticket itineraries, seamless baggage transfers, and smoother connections between Emirates’ global network and Airlink’s Southern African footprint.

Air France is also planning to expand its codeshare agreement with Airlink, with new routes scheduled to go live from 26 October 2025. These additions will allow passengers arriving in Cape Town to connect effortlessly to sought-after safari and regional destinations, including:

• Cape Town – Hoedspruit (gateway to Kruger National Park)
• Cape Town – Skukuza (Kruger National Park)
• Cape Town – Upington (Northern Cape)
• Cape Town – Maun (Okavango Delta, Botswana)
• Cape Town – Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

This strategic expansion follows Air France’s initial codeshare rollout with Airlink in late 2024, which connected Johannesburg and Cape Town to 14 domestic destinations in South Africa. Travellers on eligible codeshare flights can also earn Flying Blue miles, further enhancing the value of the partnership.

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Air France launches daily flights between Paris and Cape Town for 2025/2026 holiday season!

The flag carrier of France, Air France, is set to launch daily direct flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, further strengthening its footprint in Southern Africa. According to Wilson Tauro, Country Manager for Southern Africa at Air France-KLM, the daily service will be introduced during the peak holiday travel season.
The seasonal route is scheduled to operate from 15 December 2025 to 12 January 2026, with flights departing Paris at 18:30 and arriving in Cape Town at 06:45 the following morning. The return flight from Cape Town to Paris will depart at 08:50, arriving in the French capital at 19:20. The route will be operated using the Airbus A350, a state-of-the-art aircraft known for its fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.
In partnership with its sister airline KLM, Air France offers up to 18 weekly flights to Cape Town, contributing to a combined total of 32 weekly flights to South Africa and to over 11,000 seats per week in each direction.

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Air France-KLM and CemAir sign interline agreement!

Air France-KLM, the French-Dutch multinational airline group, has partnered with South African regional carrier CemAir through a newly implemented interline agreement. This collaboration enhances connectivity across South Africa by linking CemAir’s regional network with Air France-KLM’s major gateways at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town.
Passengers will benefit from seamless travel between international long-haul flights and domestic routes, with the convenience of booking combined itineraries on a single ticket. The agreement streamlines the travel experience by reducing connection times and ensuring a consistent level of service, making it easier for travelers to explore destinations across South Africa.

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France: Air France extends seasonal Cape Town Route until end of April 2025!

The flag carrier of France, Air France, has announced an extension of its seasonal route between Paris and Cape Town. The airline will continue operating its service between Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) until 27 April 2025, covering the Easter period. From 30 March to 27 April 2025, the route will maintain its current schedule of three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, addressing the increased travel demand during this time.

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Airlink & Air France-KLM signed a new codeshare agreement!

French-Dutch multinational airline holding company Air France-KLM implemented a new codeshare agreement with South African regional airline Airlink, effective 03 December 2024.
This commercial partnership enhances connectivity for travellers, offering Air France and KLM customers access to an extensive range of destinations in Southern Africa via OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. At this stage, the codeshare agreement is active on 14 Airlink domestic destinations in South Africa.
Air France-KLM and Airlink plan to expand the partnership in the future, with additional destinations to come in Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, St Helena, Zambia and Zimbabwe (expansion subject to approval by the relevant authorities).
Air France and KLM currently operate up to 14 weekly flights to Johannesburg and 14 weekly flights to Cape Town on departure from their respective hubs at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) in Amsterdam.

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France: Air France resumes its seasonal service to Cape Town!

The flag carrier of France, Air France, has resumed its seasonal flight service to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, South Africa. Effective today, 07 October 2024, the airline operates three weekly flights between Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and Cape Town, with an additional flight scheduled to be added from November 2024, just in time for the busy holiday season. These seasonal flights operate on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays on board a Boeing Dreamliner 787-900 and are in addition to Air France’s existing daily flights between Paris and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) Johannesburg.

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France: Air France to introduce flights between Paris <> Cape Town!

The flag carrier of France, Air France, will introduce direct flights to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town during the European Winter Season 2023/24. The airline is set to operate three weekly return flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays between Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and Cape Town. Flights will depart Paris at 10:10 and arrive in Cape Town at 21:10, while flights will depart Cape Town at 23:35 and arrive Paris at 11:20 the following day. The seasonal service will commence on 17 October 2023 and will continue until 27 March 2024. Flights will be operated on board a Boeing Dreamliner 787-900.

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Air France resumes flights between Paris <> Cape Town!

The flag carrier of France, Air France, is set to resume direct operations to Cape Town in South Africa. The airline will commence seasonal flights between Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town on 30 October 2022. Three weekly flights will be operated on board a Boeing 787-9. In addition to Cape Town, Air France operates seven weekly flights between Paris and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. The airline suspended fligths to Cape Town, and Johannesburg, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Paris 10:10 > 22:20 Cape Town on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays
• Cape Town 00:25 > 11:10 Paris on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays

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France: Air France resumes flights between Paris <> Cape Town!

The flag carrier of France, Air France, has released its winter schedule 2021/22. The airline will add four new destinations to its network on departure from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and will resume its flights to six stations that have been closed since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis. One of the destinations Air France is returning to is Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. Effective 31 October 2021, the airline is planning to operate three weekly flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and Cape Town. 

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Air France to launch flights between Paris <> Maputo (Mozambique)!

The flag carrier of France, Air France, is set to launch a two-weekly service between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and Maputo International Airport (MPM) in Maputo, Mozambique, on 02 December 2021. The flight to Maputo will be a continuation of Air France's service between Paris and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa, on board a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft equipped with refurbished cabins. Flights will depart Paris at 23:35 on Sundays and Thursdays and arrive in Maputo at 14:20 on the following day, while the return flights will depart Maputo at 16:30 on Mondays and Fridays and arrive in Paris at 05:45 on the next day. Passengers will remain on board during the short stopover in Johannesburg.

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France: Air France to launch flights between Paris <> Maputo (Mozambique)!

The flag carrier of France, Air France, is set to launch scheduled flights to Mozambique. Effective 20 June 2021, the airline will operate two weekly flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and Maputo International Airport (MPM) in Maputo via OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa. Flights will depart Paris at 23:25 on Sundays and Thursdays and will arrive in Maputo at 13:10 on the following day, while the return flight will depart Maputo at 15:45 on Mondays and Fridays and will arrive in Paris at 05:45 on the next day. Passengers will have to remain on board during the short stopover in Johannesburg.

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South Africa: FlySafair & Air France-KLM have signed an interline agreement!

South African regional carrier FlySafair and Air France-KLM have signed an interline agreement. The new cooperation, which took effect on 11 December 2018, enables travellers to book just one ticket with two flight segments for intercontinental flights between Europa and South Africa with Air France-KLM and domestic (connecting) flights within South Africa with FlySafair. The interline agreement also includes baggage transfer at the connecting airport.
Air France-KLM currently operates flights between Paris (Air France & Joon) and Cape Town, between Amsterdam (KLM) and Cape Town, between Paris (Air France) and Johannesburg as well as between Amsterdam (KLM) and Johannesburg. FlySafair's domestic network in South Africa includes Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, George, East London and Durban.

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Air France to increase flights between Paris <> Johannesburg!

The flag carrier of France, Air France, is set to increase its service between Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Effective 01 April 2019, the airline will operate ten weekly flights instead of the current seven weekly flights on the route. The additional three flights will be operated on board a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. 

Air France to increase flights between Paris <> Nairobi in 2019!

According to the preliminary schedule filing for the Northern summer 2019 season, the flag carrier of France, Air France, is set to increase its service between Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. Beginning on 31 March 2019, the airline will introduce two additional weekly flights on board a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Air France flies in code share with its SkyTeam partner Kenya Airways on the route between the Paris and Nairobi.

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Air France to increase flights between Paris <> Nairobi!

update (16 April 2019): Due to operational day changes, Air France will continue to operate three weekly flights between Paris and Nairobi, instead of previously listed four weekly flights.

The flag carrier of France, Air France, is set to increase its service between Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. The airline will introduce an additional fourth weekly flight on board a Boeing 787-9 on 28 October 2018.

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Kenya Airways & Air France expanded their codeshare agreement!

According to aviation specialists, Routesonline, Kenya's flag carrier, Kenya Airways, and the national airline of France, Air France, have expanded their codeshare agreement. The new extended agreement includes additonal destinations in Europe as well as selected routes in North Africa.

Kenya Airways (KQ) operated by Air France (AF):

• Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) – Algiers
• Paris CDG – Athens
• Paris CDG – Basel/Mulhouse
• Paris CDG – Biarritz
• Paris CDG – Bilbao
• Paris CDG – Billund
• Paris CDG – Birmingham
• Paris CDG – Brest
• Paris CDG – Clermont-Ferrand
• Paris CDG – Dublin
• Paris CDG – Gothenburg
• Paris CDG – Milan Malpensa
• Paris CDG – Nairobi
• Paris CDG – Oslo
• Paris CDG – Rennes
• Paris CDG – Stockholm Arlanda
• Paris CDG – Tunis
• Paris CDG – Vienna

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Air France to resume flights between Paris <> Nairobi!

The flag carrier of France, Air France, is set to resume flights between Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi on 25 March 2018. The airline will operate the new route from Paris to Nairobi and back three times a week on board a Boeing 787-9. Air France previously served Nairobi until March 2000.

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Air France to increase flights to South Africa!

The flag carrier of France, Air France, is set to expand it's operations between Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and both OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town from 29 October 2017.
The airline will increase it's flights to Johannesburg to a daily service operated by a Airbus A380, while it's flights to Cape Town will increase from currently 3 flights per week to 5 flights per week.

• Paris 23:30 > 11:10 Johannesburg (daily)
• Johannesburg 19:50 > 05:45 Paris (daily)

• Paris 10:10 > 22:30 Cape Town (daily excluding Monday & Thursday)
• Cape Town 00:30 > 11:00 Paris (daily excluding Tuesday & Friday)

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