This is the cheapest retur flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 8/12. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
— JNB
6 Dec — 13 Dec1
Return
1 adult
Economy
Return
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags
Flights to South Africa in 2026
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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 6 November 2026.
Sun 8/1117:10 -
1 stop12h 45m
Mon 23/1108:20 -
1 stop16h 35m
Deal found 4/11AED 1,766
Thu 5/1117:10 -
1 stop12h 45m
Mon 9/1114:30 -
1 stop11h 40m
Deal found 5/11AED 1,770
Tue 10/1117:10 -
1 stop12h 45m
Mon 16/1114:30 -
1 stop11h 40m
Deal found 2/11AED 1,781
Tue 24/1117:10 -
1 stop12h 45m
Fri 4/1223:00 -
1 stop14h 45m
Deal found 2/11AED 1,785
Thu 19/1106:55 -
1 stop30h 00m
Sun 22/1112:05 -
1 stop15h 40m
Deal found 5/11AED 1,803
Fri 20/1106:55 -
1 stop19h 30m
Mon 23/1117:00 -
1 stop29h 30m
Deal found 6/11AED 1,807
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 6 November 2026.
Tue 2/201:50 -
1 stop14h 05m
Fri 19/217:45 -
1 stop12h 45m
Deal found 2/11AED 2,012
Tue 15/1204:25 -
1 stop11h 00m
Wed 23/1214:15 -
1 stop10h 40m
Deal found 1/11AED 2,464
Sat 19/1203:00 -
1 stop12h 25m
Sun 27/1219:35 -
2 stops18h 10m
Deal found 5/11AED 2,519
Fri 15/113:10 -
1 stop16h 45m
Sun 24/115:05 -
2 stops18h 35m
Deal found 2/11AED 2,725
Mon 16/1104:10 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Fri 20/1122:15 -
Nonstop8h 00m
Deal found 1/11AED 3,231
Sun 20/1211:10 -
2 stops42h 45m
Thu 31/1213:45 -
2 stops29h 50m
Deal found 4/11AED 3,290
Sat 19/1210:40 -
Nonstop8h 30m
Sat 26/1207:00 -
1 stop14h 40m
Deal found 4/11AED 3,466
Sat 19/1204:25 -
1 stop11h 00m
Sun 27/1214:15 -
1 stop11h 55m
Deal found 5/11AED 2,482
Sat 19/1217:10 -
2 stops16h 05m
Sat 26/1214:15 -
1 stop10h 40m
Deal found 4/11AED 2,651
Thu 12/1103:00 -
1 stop12h 00m
Wed 18/1113:50 -
1 stop12h 20m
Deal found 1/11AED 2,574
Tue 24/1122:25 -
2 stops18h 10m
Fri 4/1212:35 -
1 stop30h 40m
Deal found 5/11AED 3,033
Wed 11/1104:25 -
1 stop11h 45m
Sun 22/1113:50 -
1 stop12h 20m
Deal found 1/11AED 2,574
Mon 15/211:00 -
2 stops30h 35m
Mon 22/220:20 -
2 stops35h 40m
Deal found 1/11AED 3,342
Sat 21/1103:00 -
1 stop12h 00m
Sun 6/1207:00 -
2 stops17h 55m
Deal found 5/11AED 2,692
Wed 11/1109:10 -
Nonstop9h 35m
Fri 13/1113:40 -
Nonstop9h 25m
Deal found 2/11AED 3,731
Sun 22/1105:20 -
1 stop14h 05m
Sun 6/1212:35 -
1 stop30h 40m
Deal found 3/11AED 3,411
Mon 18/106:55 -
2 stops17h 35m
Sat 23/119:05 -
Nonstop8h 20m
Deal found 2/11AED 3,422
Mon 18/117:00 -
3 stops26h 40m
Sat 23/119:10 -
3 stops48h 25m
Deal found 2/11AED 3,452
Mon 18/119:30 -
2 stops19h 55m
Sat 23/114:15 -
1 stop11h 55m
Deal found 2/11AED 2,750
Wed 18/1122:25 -
2 stops22h 35m
Sun 22/1110:50 -
2 stops22h 50m
Deal found 5/11AED 3,452
Sun 21/217:00 -
2 stops24h 35m
Mon 1/320:20 -
2 stops21h 55m
Deal found 2/11AED 3,544
Fri 1/104:25 -
1 stop11h 00m
Sat 2/117:45 -
2 stops17h 10m
Deal found 2/11AED 3,694
Wed 11/1122:50 -
2 stops23h 10m
Sun 15/1112:40 -
2 stops45h 00m
Deal found 4/11AED 3,463
Tue 2/210:10 -
1 stop23h 45m
Wed 3/217:20 -
1 stop24h 50m
Deal found 1/11AED 4,212
Mon 14/1211:00 -
2 stops18h 55m
Thu 31/1209:25 -
2 stops28h 30m
Deal found 1/11AED 3,562
Tue 10/1103:00 -
1 stop12h 00m
Fri 13/1113:50 -
1 stop12h 20m
Deal found 5/11AED 3,052
Tue 17/1104:10 -
1 stop12h 20m
Sun 22/1116:15 -
1 stop29h 25m
Deal found 4/11AED 4,212
Wed 11/1122:20 -
2 stops38h 10m
Fri 13/1119:25 -
2 stops24h 10m
Deal found 5/11AED 3,562
Mon 9/1117:10 -
1 stop23h 00m
Sun 6/1207:00 -
2 stops17h 55m
Deal found 5/11AED 3,052
Tue 12/122:25 -
1 stop21h 00m
Tue 26/112:35 -
1 stop30h 40m
Deal found 3/11AED 3,701
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 6 November 2026.
Fri 18/1210:10 -
Nonstop8h 30m
Fri 25/1213:25 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Deal found 3/11AED 3,066
Wed 3/210:10 -
Nonstop8h 30m
Thu 18/218:50 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Deal found 2/11AED 3,099
Sun 15/1104:10 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Thu 19/1113:25 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Deal found 2/11AED 3,107
Sat 5/1214:20 -
Nonstop8h 10m
Sat 12/1222:15 -
Nonstop8h 00m
Deal found 5/11AED 3,121
Fri 20/1110:10 -
Nonstop8h 30m
Tue 24/1113:25 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Deal found 4/11AED 3,125
Sat 21/1104:10 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Mon 30/1118:50 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Deal found 5/11AED 3,132
Fri 4/1223:25 -
Nonstop8h 10m
Tue 8/1210:10 -
Nonstop8h 00m
Deal found 3/11AED 3,136
Tue 17/1114:20 -
Nonstop8h 10m
Sun 22/1118:50 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Deal found 4/11AED 3,140
Mon 30/1114:20 -
Nonstop8h 10m
Mon 7/1210:10 -
Nonstop8h 00m
Deal found 2/11AED 3,147
Sun 21/210:10 -
Nonstop8h 30m
Mon 1/318:50 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Deal found 2/11AED 3,151
Tue 24/1110:10 -
Nonstop8h 30m
Fri 4/1218:50 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Deal found 4/11AED 3,154
Mon 28/1210:10 -
Nonstop8h 30m
Tue 26/113:25 -
Nonstop8h 15m
Deal found 2/11AED 3,158
Last-minute flights to South Africa
Discover last-minute flight deals to South Africa. Data last updated 6 November 2026 and is based on user searches.
Thu 5/1117:10 -
1 stop12h 45m
Mon 9/1114:30 -
1 stop11h 40m
Deal found 5/11AED 1,770
Thu 5/1105:20 -
2 stops17h 10m
Wed 18/1119:25 -
1 stop13h 00m
Deal found 1/11AED 2,504
Thu 5/1105:20 -
2 stops19h 30m
Wed 18/1119:25 -
1 stop14h 15m
Deal found 1/11AED 2,541
Thu 5/1105:20 -
2 stops19h 00m
Tue 10/1112:35 -
1 stop30h 20m
Deal found 2/11AED 2,611
Thu 5/1117:10 -
2 stops16h 05m
Mon 9/1120:45 -
2 stops28h 10m
Deal found 4/11AED 2,343
Sat 7/1104:25 -
1 stop11h 45m
Mon 23/1113:50 -
1 stop12h 20m
Deal found 3/11AED 2,515
Sat 7/1103:00 -
2 stops20h 15m
Mon 23/1118:10 -
2 stops19h 35m
Deal found 3/11AED 2,567
Sun 8/1117:10 -
1 stop12h 45m
Mon 23/1108:20 -
1 stop16h 35m
Deal found 4/11AED 1,766
Sun 8/1104:25 -
1 stop11h 05m
Mon 30/1114:30 -
1 stop11h 40m
Deal found 4/11AED 1,847
Mon 9/1117:10 -
2 stops19h 50m
Mon 23/1118:10 -
2 stops16h 45m
Deal found 6/11AED 2,607
Tue 10/1117:10 -
1 stop12h 45m
Mon 16/1114:30 -
1 stop11h 40m
Deal found 2/11AED 1,781
Tue 10/1103:00 -
1 stop13h 10m
Fri 13/1113:50 -
1 stop12h 20m
Deal found 2/11AED 2,592
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 6 November 2026.
Tue 8/1201:50 -
1 stop14h 05m
Wed 31/1200:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 6/11AED 1,164
Sun 8/1102:20 -
2 stops15h 50m
Wed 31/1200:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 3/11AED 1,583
Mon 28/1211:55 -
2 stops22h 00m
Wed 31/1200:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 3/11AED 1,509
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 6 November 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 6 November 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 6 November 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
Fastest return journey
DubaiJohannesburg
DXB Dubai Intl - JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo
DXBJNB
Dubai Intl
Thu 10/12
01:50-13:55
1 stop14h 05m
Johannesburg OR Tambo
Wed 31/12
00:00-02:00
Nonstop0h 00m
AED 1,164
DubaiDurban
DXB Dubai Intl - DUR Durban King Shaka Intl
DXBDUR
Dubai Intl
Mon 28/12
11:55-07:55
2 stops22h 00m
Durban King Shaka Intl
Wed 31/12
00:00-02:00
Nonstop0h 00m
AED 1,509
DubaiCape Town
DXB Dubai Intl - CPT Cape Town Intl
DXBCPT
Dubai Intl
Tue 17/11
02:20-08:20
2 stops32h 00m
Cape Town Intl
Wed 31/12
00:00-02:00
Nonstop0h 00m
AED 1,586
DubaiJohannesburg
DXB Dubai Intl - JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo
DXBJNB
Dubai Intl
Tue 2/2
01:50-13:55
1 stop14h 05m
Johannesburg OR Tambo
Fri 19/2
17:45-08:30
1 stop12h 45m
AED 2,012
DubaiDurban
DXB Dubai Intl - DUR Durban King Shaka Intl
DXBDUR
Dubai Intl
Tue 15/12
04:25-13:25
1 stop11h 00m
Durban King Shaka Intl
Wed 23/12
14:15-02:55
1 stop10h 40m
AED 2,464
DubaiDurban
DXB Dubai Intl - DUR Durban King Shaka Intl
DXBDUR
Dubai Intl
Sat 19/12
04:25-13:25
1 stop11h 00m
Durban King Shaka Intl
Sun 27/12
14:15-04:10
1 stop11h 55m
AED 2,482
DubaiDurban
DXB Dubai Intl - DUR Durban King Shaka Intl
DXBDUR
Dubai Intl
Sat 19/12
03:00-13:25
1 stop12h 25m
Durban King Shaka Intl
Sun 27/12
19:35-15:45
2 stops18h 10m
AED 2,519
DubaiCape Town
DXB Dubai Intl - CPT Cape Town Intl
DXBCPT
Dubai Intl
Thu 12/11
03:00-13:00
1 stop12h 00m
Cape Town Intl
Wed 18/11
13:50-04:10
1 stop12h 20m
AED 2,574
DubaiCape Town
DXB Dubai Intl - CPT Cape Town Intl
DXBCPT
Dubai Intl
Wed 11/11
04:25-14:10
1 stop11h 45m
Cape Town Intl
Sun 22/11
13:50-04:10
1 stop12h 20m
AED 2,574
DubaiDurban
DXB Dubai Intl - DUR Durban King Shaka Intl
DXBDUR
Dubai Intl
Sat 19/12
17:10-07:15
2 stops16h 05m
Durban King Shaka Intl
Sat 26/12
14:15-02:55
1 stop10h 40m
AED 2,651
Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.
Deals found on 1/11
Showing 1-10 of 33 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-DUR
DXB-CPT
DXB-MQP
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-DUR
DXB-CPT
DXB-MQP
How long is the flight to South Africa?
On average, a flight from Dubai to South Africa takes 9 hours 57 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 Friday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (7 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 15 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 6 November 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 6 November 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 166, while return flights cost around AED 367.
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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