This is the cheapest retur flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 20/11. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
— JNB
25 Nov — 2 Dec1
Return
1 adult
Economy
Return
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags
Flights to South Africa in 2026
Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.
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Best
Direct
Last-minute
One-way
Cheapest flights to South Africa
Explore the most affordable flight options available to South Africa. Find the lowest fares based on data from user searches, with prices last updated on 26 October 2026.
Sat 24/1004:25 -
1 stop11h 05m
Mon 26/1014:30 -
1 stop11h 40m
Deal found 23/10AED 1,781
Tue 24/1117:10 -
1 stop12h 45m
Fri 4/1223:00 -
1 stop14h 45m
Deal found 25/10AED 1,785
Fri 20/1106:55 -
1 stop10h 55m
Tue 8/1217:00 -
1 stop29h 30m
Deal found 25/10AED 1,818
Mon 26/1005:40 -
1 stop16h 30m
Fri 30/1014:30 -
1 stop11h 40m
Deal found 25/10AED 1,832
Sun 25/1004:25 -
1 stop17h 45m
Mon 2/1114:30 -
1 stop10h 25m
Deal found 22/10AED 1,847
Thu 26/1104:25 -
1 stop11h 05m
Mon 7/1223:00 -
1 stop14h 45m
Deal found 22/10AED 1,869
Best flights to South Africa
Discover carefully curated flight deals to South Africa that have cost, travel time, and stopovers in mind to ensure you get the best travel experience. Data last updated 26 October 2026.
Wed 2/1206:55 -
1 stop19h 30m
Wed 9/1212:05 -
1 stop15h 40m
Deal found 26/10AED 2,012
Tue 1/1201:50 -
1 stop14h 05m
Fri 4/1217:45 -
1 stop12h 45m
Deal found 22/10AED 2,383
Fri 18/1204:25 -
1 stop11h 00m
Sat 2/114:15 -
1 stop10h 40m
Deal found 22/10AED 2,471
Fri 6/1105:40 -
2 stops27h 55m
Fri 13/1108:35 -
2 stops17h 35m
Deal found 23/10AED 2,508
Wed 3/205:20 -
1 stop12h 15m
Tue 16/215:05 -
3 stops17h 20m
Deal found 23/10AED 2,699
Fri 12/317:00 -
2 stops17h 40m
Sun 28/312:40 -
2 stops30h 45m
Deal found 25/10AED 3,187
Thu 10/1210:40 -
Nonstop8h 30m
Thu 17/1212:15 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Deal found 26/10AED 3,217
Thu 25/310:10 -
Nonstop8h 30m
Mon 29/322:20 -
Nonstop8h 00m
Deal found 25/10AED 3,232
Sat 19/1217:10 -
2 stops21h 50m
Sat 2/114:15 -
1 stop10h 40m
Deal found 23/10AED 2,571
Mon 2/1114:10 -
2 stops19h 05m
Wed 18/1119:35 -
2 stops15h 20m
Deal found 24/10AED 2,626
Thu 25/305:20 -
1 stop12h 15m
Mon 29/307:30 -
2 stops17h 55m
Deal found 22/10AED 2,952
Thu 10/1217:10 -
1 stop22h 15m
Thu 17/1214:15 -
1 stop11h 55m
Deal found 26/10AED 3,176
Tue 24/1121:00 -
2 stops44h 35m
Tue 1/1213:45 -
2 stops27h 20m
Deal found 22/10AED 3,195
Sat 28/1117:00 -
2 stops22h 15m
Sat 5/1212:05 -
1 stop15h 40m
Deal found 24/10AED 2,736
Sat 19/1217:10 -
1 stop12h 45m
Fri 1/107:30 -
2 stops17h 25m
Deal found 25/10AED 3,272
Tue 8/1210:40 -
Nonstop8h 30m
Tue 15/1211:00 -
1 stop16h 05m
Deal found 24/10AED 3,658
Thu 19/1110:25 -
Nonstop9h 35m
Thu 26/1118:30 -
Nonstop9h 25m
Deal found 22/10AED 3,731
Wed 7/420:40 -
2 stops39h 35m
Sat 17/419:30 -
2 stops36h 20m
Deal found 22/10AED 3,422
Fri 13/1105:40 -
2 stops27h 55m
Wed 25/1119:00 -
3 stops31h 10m
Deal found 26/10AED 2,886
Sat 12/1217:10 -
1 stop12h 45m
Fri 1/116:55 -
2 stops32h 00m
Deal found 26/10AED 3,272
Sun 6/1222:25 -
1 stop14h 05m
Sun 13/1212:35 -
1 stop30h 40m
Deal found 22/10AED 3,687
Sun 21/209:10 -
Nonstop9h 35m
Wed 24/220:00 -
Nonstop9h 25m
Deal found 21/10AED 3,731
Fri 13/1114:20 -
1 stop19h 15m
Wed 25/1113:30 -
1 stop13h 35m
Deal found 26/10AED 3,764
Thu 10/1211:00 -
2 stops32h 25m
Thu 17/1212:35 -
2 stops43h 25m
Deal found 26/10AED 3,573
Mon 9/1106:55 -
2 stops17h 35m
Thu 12/1108:20 -
1 stop18h 45m
Deal found 23/10AED 3,019
Fri 6/1123:25 -
1 stop20h 10m
Fri 13/1118:05 -
1 stop27h 35m
Deal found 22/10AED 3,801
Fri 5/310:25 -
Nonstop9h 35m
Sun 14/320:00 -
Nonstop9h 25m
Deal found 22/10AED 3,995
Sun 6/1220:05 -
2 stops40h 25m
Sun 13/1212:35 -
2 stops29h 40m
Deal found 22/10AED 3,922
Wed 9/1204:25 -
1 stop11h 45m
Fri 25/1217:25 -
2 stops20h 20m
Deal found 24/10AED 3,962
Wed 9/1204:10 -
1 stop15h 25m
Thu 17/1218:05 -
1 stop33h 00m
Deal found 26/10AED 3,992
Direct flights to South Africa
Explore direct flight options to South Africa based on user searches, and compare prices and availability for your desired travel dates. Data last updated 26 October 2026.
Wed 9/1204:10 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Thu 17/1213:25 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Deal found 26/10AED 3,074
Sat 7/1104:10 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Thu 12/1122:15 -
Nonstop8h 00m
Deal found 23/10AED 3,081
Sun 15/1110:10 -
Nonstop8h 30m
Wed 25/1110:10 -
Nonstop8h 00m
Deal found 24/10AED 3,107
Tue 2/204:10 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Tue 16/210:10 -
Nonstop8h 00m
Deal found 23/10AED 3,121
Thu 19/1104:10 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Sun 29/1113:25 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Deal found 25/10AED 3,125
Sat 30/104:10 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Sat 6/218:50 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Deal found 26/10AED 3,129
Sat 7/1110:10 -
Nonstop8h 30m
Sun 15/1122:15 -
Nonstop8h 00m
Deal found 25/10AED 3,136
Thu 19/1104:10 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Tue 8/1218:50 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Deal found 25/10AED 3,140
Wed 2/1223:25 -
Nonstop8h 10m
Wed 9/1213:25 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Deal found 26/10AED 3,143
Thu 26/1104:10 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Sun 29/1113:25 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Deal found 25/10AED 3,169
Tue 8/1210:10 -
Nonstop8h 30m
Tue 15/1210:10 -
Nonstop8h 00m
Deal found 24/10AED 3,176
Sun 6/1223:25 -
Nonstop8h 10m
Sun 13/1218:50 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Deal found 22/10AED 3,180
Last-minute flights to South Africa
Discover last-minute flight deals to South Africa. Data last updated 26 October 2026 and is based on user searches.
Mon 26/1005:20 -
2 stops18h 30m
Mon 9/1112:35 -
1 stop19h 50m
Deal found 23/10AED 2,541
Thu 29/1022:25 -
2 stops26h 25m
Wed 11/1119:25 -
1 stop14h 15m
Deal found 25/10AED 2,677
Thu 5/1104:25 -
1 stop11h 45m
Wed 11/1113:50 -
1 stop12h 20m
Deal found 22/10AED 2,493
Fri 6/1104:25 -
2 stops17h 20m
Fri 13/1120:25 -
2 stops26h 45m
Deal found 24/10AED 2,618
Wed 18/1117:10 -
2 stops17h 10m
Sun 22/1107:00 -
2 stops19h 10m
Deal found 26/10AED 2,670
Wed 25/1105:20 -
2 stops17h 10m
Wed 2/1219:25 -
1 stop14h 15m
Deal found 26/10AED 2,534
One-way flights to South Africa
Search for one-way flight options to South Africa. Find affordable one-way fares based on user searches. Data last updated 26 October 2026.
Fri 20/1102:20 -
2 stops47h 15m
Wed 31/1200:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 21/10AED 1,535
Find flights to South Africa
Browse one-way and return flights deals to South Africa on Cheapflights. Flight deals are based on user searches and were last updated on 26 October 2026
Find the latest flights to South Africa in 2026, with up-to-date prices and availability. In the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made a total of 7,457,451 searches and data was last updated on 26 October 2026.
Locate flights to South Africa that fit your budget, with regularly updated fares and availability. In the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made a total of 7,457,451 searches and data was last updated on 26 October 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights to South Africa that are best for you.
Fly from
Route
Departure
Return
Price
Cheapest return flight
DubaiCape Town
DXB Dubai Intl - CPT Cape Town Intl
DXBCPT
Dubai Intl
Sun 1/11
02:20-23:35
2 stops23h 15m
Cape Town Intl
Wed 31/12
00:00-02:00
Nonstop0h 00m
AED 1,542
DubaiJohannesburg
DXB Dubai Intl - JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo
DXBJNB
Dubai Intl
Wed 2/12
06:55-00:25
1 stop19h 30m
Johannesburg OR Tambo
Wed 9/12
12:05-05:45
1 stop15h 40m
AED 2,012
DubaiJohannesburg
DXB Dubai Intl - JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo
DXBJNB
Dubai Intl
Tue 1/12
01:50-13:55
1 stop14h 05m
Johannesburg OR Tambo
Fri 4/12
17:45-08:30
1 stop12h 45m
AED 2,383
DubaiDurban
DXB Dubai Intl - DUR Durban King Shaka Intl
DXBDUR
Dubai Intl
Fri 18/12
04:25-13:25
1 stop11h 00m
Durban King Shaka Intl
Sat 2/1
14:15-02:55
1 stop10h 40m
AED 2,471
DubaiPort Elizabeth
DXB Dubai Intl - PLZ Port Elizabeth
DXBPLZ
Dubai Intl
Fri 6/11
05:40-07:35
2 stops27h 55m
Port Elizabeth
Fri 13/11
08:35-04:10
2 stops17h 35m
AED 2,508
DubaiDurban
DXB Dubai Intl - DUR Durban King Shaka Intl
DXBDUR
Dubai Intl
Sat 19/12
17:10-13:00
2 stops21h 50m
Durban King Shaka Intl
Sat 2/1
14:15-02:55
1 stop10h 40m
AED 2,571
DubaiDurban
DXB Dubai Intl - DUR Durban King Shaka Intl
DXBDUR
Dubai Intl
Mon 2/11
14:10-07:15
2 stops19h 05m
Durban King Shaka Intl
Wed 18/11
19:35-12:55
2 stops15h 20m
AED 2,626
DubaiJohannesburg
DXB Dubai Intl - JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo
DXBJNB
Dubai Intl
Wed 3/2
05:20-15:35
1 stop12h 15m
Johannesburg OR Tambo
Tue 16/2
15:05-10:25
3 stops17h 20m
AED 2,699
DubaiJohannesburg
DXB Dubai Intl - JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo
DXBJNB
Dubai Intl
Sat 28/11
17:00-13:15
2 stops22h 15m
Johannesburg OR Tambo
Sat 5/12
12:05-05:45
1 stop15h 40m
AED 2,736
DubaiPort Elizabeth
DXB Dubai Intl - PLZ Port Elizabeth
DXBPLZ
Dubai Intl
Fri 13/11
05:40-07:35
2 stops27h 55m
Port Elizabeth
Wed 25/11
19:00-04:10
3 stops31h 10m
AED 2,886
Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.
Deals found on 23/10
Showing 1-10 of 31 resultsSorted by cheapest first
1
2
3
4
Best time to book a flight to South Africa
Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to South Africa with our price prediction graph.
DXB-JNB
DXB-CPT
DXB-DUR
DXB-PLZ
Estimated return price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.
Cheapflights Insights
Everything you need to know about your flight to South Africa
DXB-ZA0
DXB-JNB
DXB-CPT
DXB-DUR
DXB-PLZ
How long is the flight to South Africa?
On average, a flight from Dubai to South Africa takes 10 hours 28 minutes. Flights to South Africa from other popular cities in United Arab Emirates will vary in length. Below are a few examples of popular routes and their flight times.
Weekly flight availability to South Africa
The most flights from Dubai to South Africa are scheduled on a Monday (10 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Monday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (10 on average).
What are the most popular airlines that fly to South Africa?
The most popular airlines flying from Dubai to South Africa are South African, Emirates and Ethiopian Air.
What are the cheapest airlines that fly to South Africa?
The cheapest airlines flying from Dubai to South Africa are Air Tanzania, Ethiopian Air and RwandAir.
Rainfall in South Africa by month
Plan your trip to South Africa by taking into account the average rainfall totals by month.
In terms of precipitation, rainfall in South Africa ranges from 0.0 - 120.0 mm per month. January is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 120.0 mm. June is typically the driest time to visit South Africa when rainfall is around 0.0 mm.
Temperature in South Africa by month
Plan your trip to South Africa by taking into account the average temperature totals by month.
If weather is an important factor for your trip to South Africa, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, January is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 20.0 C. Travellers hoping to avoid the cold should look outside of June, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 10.0 C).
When is the best time to book a flight to South Africa?
The best time to book flights to South Africa is 67 days before your desired departure date. The cost of your flight will likely increase significantly if you book two weeks in advance of your flight.
What are the most popular places to fly to in South Africa?
Destination popularity is based on the amount of flight searches to South Africa in the last few years. This data was updated on 26 October 2026.
The most popular places in South Africa to fly to are Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.
Reviews of airlines servicing South Africa
Get insights into the airlines that provide service to South Africa. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to South Africa. Reviews last updated 26 October 2026.
See what other customers who have flown with Emirates,South African, andQatar Airways to South Africa have to say. Users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
FAQs about flying to South Africa
Can I find cheaper flights to South Africa if I am willing to have stopovers?
Yes, flights with stopovers are often cheaper than direct flights. Keep an eye out for flight deals to South Africa on Cheapflights that require 1 or 2 stops for potential cost savings.
Based on reviews from Cheapflights users, Emirates is rated the highest out of the airlines that fly to South Africa.
What is the cheapest airport to fly to in South Africa?
Cape Town Intl is currently the cheapest airport to fly to in South Africa. One-way flights to Cape Town Intl typically cost AED 153, while return flights cost around AED 334.
Yes. Johannesburg OR Tambo has hotels nearby for those requiring accommodations. Protea Hotel by Marriott Transit O.R. Tambo Airport is the closest property to Johannesburg OR Tambo (0.0 km away from Johannesburg OR Tambo).
Find the best flight deals on Cheapflights, where travellers can enjoy low prices and a wide availability of flights to their desired destinations.
How does Cheapflights help users find flights to South Africa?
900+ travel sites are searched through when a user searches for a flight using Cheapflights. From the search interface, users can use filters to choose airlines, airports, flight times, cabin classes and more to their preference. Book your flight to South Africa today with Cheapflights!
Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets to South Africa?
Cheapflights helps you find that perfect flight to South Africa by searching from hundreds of airlines and agencies you know and love. We are also free to use, in case you were wondering!
Can Cheapflights find flights to South Africa with no change fees?
Cheapflights does show flights with no change fees to all users. To see these options for flights to South Africa, users can toggle the no change fees filter when performing a flight search.
Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights to South Africa become cheaper?
Yes, Cheapflights offers price alerts on South Africa flights so you can book your flight when prices are ideal. Enable price alerts by clicking the bell icon next to the flight deals above and providing your email address where you want to receive the alerts.
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