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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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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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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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: 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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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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Coronavirus pandemic: Delta to suspend flights between Atlanta <> Johannesburg!

Delta Air Lines, one of the major airlines of the United States, will suspend its service between Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg due to the coronavirus pandemic. The airline will suspend the service after 22 March 2020. The last flight from Altanta to Johannesburg will operate on 22 March 2020, while the last flight from Johannesburg to Atlanta departs on 23 March 2020.

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Delta Air Lines & Kenya Airways to expand their codeshare agreement!

American airline Delta Air Lines and Kenya's flag carrier, Kenya Airways, are set to expand their codeshare partnership in Southern Africa and East Africa by four additional routes via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. Effective 01 September 2019, Delta Air Lines will place its code (DL) on return flights operated by Kenya Airways to Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Entebbe International Airport (EBB) in Entebbe (Uganda), Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka (Zambia) and Maputo International Airport (MPM) in Maputo (Mozambique).

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Kenya Airways & Delta Air Lines have entered into a codeshare partnership! [update]

update (16 April 2019): Kenya Airways has reached an agreement with Delta Air Lines to activate its codeshare in the US and Canada. The arrangement will enable travelers to connect from New York, using the direct flight from Nairobi, to other cities within the US and Canada opening many more opportunities at more competitive fares.
The destinations available from New York are: Chicago O Hare – Illinois, Denver – Colorado, Orlando – Florida, Miami – Florida, Raleigh Durham - North Carolina, Phoenix – Arizona, Charlotte - North Carolina.
The following destinations will be added subject to government and regulatory approvals: Houston – Texas, Philadelphia – Pennsylvania, Columbus – Ohio, Kansas City – Missouri, Toronto – Ontario, Montreal – Quebec, Ottawa – Ontario, Edmonton – Alberta. 

Kenya's flag carrier, Kenya Airways, and American airline Delta Air Lines, both members of the SkyTeam alliance, have entered into a codeshare partnership on flights to and from Kenya Airways' hub at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. Under the codeshare partnership, Delta Air Lines places its code (DL) on Kenya Airways' flights from Amsterdam, Paris, London, and Accra to Nairobi, enhancing connectivity and providing customers with a one-stop seamless travel experience from the USA. In addition, Delta Air Lines also places its code (DL) on Kenya Airways' services to more than 10 key cities across Africa, including: Addis Ababa, Lilongwe, Maputo, Johannesburg and Djibouti City. The new agreement became effective on 11 August 2018. 

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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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Behind-The-Scenes: Your bag's journey after you've checked in (video)

To promote a free mobile app that allows you to track your luggage, Delta Air Lines made the following video that shows you where your bags go after they pass through those black rubber flaps at the airport.
Due to "security reasons", and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the probably most interesting part of the bag's journey from Atlanta to New York in the US could not be filmed, but it is still good to see that they handle your luggage with a certain care at the two aiports. Let's just imagine that this is how they do it everywhere in the world. Thx Delta!

Delta Airlines celebrates 5 years of servicing Africa

Delta Air Lines, based in the United States, marked its fifth anniversary of nonstop service between the United States and Africa last weekend.
Delta launched its first flight between Atlanta and Johannesburg, South Africa, via Dakar, Senegal, on 04 Dec 2006. A week later, it began serving Accra, Ghana, from its hub at New York-JFK. It was the first major U.S. airline to operate nonstop service between the United States and Africa since Pan Am suspended flights in the 1980s.
In the years since those first historic flights, Delta's Africa service has continued to expand and today the airline is the leading U.S. carrier to Africa, with service to six African cities in five countries.
On 01 Dec 2011, Delta Air Lines expanded its African network to offer nonstop flights between Accra, Ghana, and Abuja, Nigeria, in partnership with Air Nigeria. The service operates twice weekly using Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, equipped with 36 BusinessElite seats, 29 seats in Economy Comfort and 143 seats in Economy.

Delta Air Lines adding new "Economy Comfort" section on long-haul international flights

American airline Delta Air Lines has announced a major investment in its international fleet with plans to introduce a premium economy section – "Economy Comfort" – on all long-haul international flights in summer 2011. The new seats will feature up to four additional inches of legroom and 50 percent more recline than Delta's standard international Economy class seats.

The product, which is similar to upgraded Economy services currently available on flights operated by Delta's joint venture partner Air France-KLM, will be installed in the first few rows of the Economy cabin on more than 160 Boeing 747, 757, 767, 777 and Airbus A330 aircraft by this summer. 
In addition to more leg room and recline, customers seated in "Economy Comfort" will board early and enjoy complimentary spirits throughout the flight. These benefits are in addition to Delta's standard international Economy class amenities, including complimentary meals, beer, wine, entertainment, blankets and pillows.
Delta Air Lines is currently connecting seven destinations in Africa, including Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, with the US.