Flights are out from The UK to SA!
Good news for our UK guests!
Most long-haul airlines have released Spring 2026 schedules and fares.
In fact, as of 11 May 2025 you can see round-trip economy seats on London–South Africa routes, often with attractive early-bird pricing.
Below we summarise current fare levels (for week-long April trips) from Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester, plus tips on booking, layovers and travel prep.
Snapshot prices (pulled 11 May 2025)
(Prices sourced from Google Flights, 11 May 2025)
As the table shows, direct flights from London to Cape Town or Johannesburg start around £500–£750 at present.
Norse Atlantic’s new Gatwick–Cape Town service is particularly cheap (around £500 for March trips), although Norse has not yet released Gatwick–Johannesburg fares for April 2026.
BA and Virgin currently cover Heathrow–CPT and Heathrow–JNB, and their economy fare sales (e.g. Virgin from ~£527 return) suggest April 2026 prices are competitive with these ballpark figures.
Upcoming Fares & What to Watch
One key thing to monitor: Norse Atlantic’s inventory for Gatwick–Johannesburg.
Norse’s low-cost model has shaken up Gatwick–Cape Town fares, and many expect it to target a Gatwick–JNB route too.
However, as of May 2025 the April 2026 schedule for LGW–JNB isn’t on sale yet.
Industry sources report Norse will publish its next-season timetable later in 2025.
When it does, anticipate very competitive fares (possibly undercutting the usual BA/VI tickets).
We’d watch for Norse sales in late 2025.
Beyond Norse, keep an eye on other seasonal shifts: for example, Condor (Frankfurt) is boosting services to South Africa.
From Nov 2025 it will upgrade FRA–Cape Town to daily and increase FRA–JNB to 3x weekly (that’s great if you’re flying via Europe).
Likewise, Middle Eastern carriers often tweak winter schedules. Doha or Dubai-linked itineraries may see extra flights in peak Southern summer 2025/26.
In short, watch airline route news through 2025.
Any late-opened routes or charter flights could bring flash deals.
Why Fly into Johannesburg, Then Connect
You might wonder why some people fly to Johannesburg (JNB) first and then hop to Cape Town, instead of booking London–CPT direct.
The answer is often savings.
For example, on identical dates a London–JNB ticket can be £80–£200 cheaper than London–CPT nonstop, since long-haul legacy carriers price CPT flights higher than JNB.
By flying to JNB (e.g. on BA or Virgin) and then taking a domestic flight to CPT (on Airlink, FlySafair, etc.), travellers can cut costs significantly.
Practical tips for the JNB connector route: plan a layover of at least 2–3 hours in case of delays.
OR Tambo Airport (JNB) is large, and you’ll need time to clear international arrivals and go to the domestic departure area.
If you buy a through-ticket (same itinerary on one ticket), the airlines will generally transfer checked baggage automatically.
But if you book separate tickets, be prepared to pick up bags and re-check them – and to go through security/immigration again.
Many UK–CPT travellers use Airlink (O.R. Tambo–Cape Town), which is regarded as very punctual and baggage-friendly.
FlySafair and LIFT also run frequent JNB–CPT services (we’ve ranked the SA domestic airlines below).
Keep in mind that if the first flight is late, a longer buffer reduces stress.
Domestic Airlines Ranked (Reliability, Punctuality & Baggage)
For the Johannesburg–Cape Town leg, several South African carriers compete.
Based on on-time stats (e.g. Johannesburg OR Tambo Apr 2025 data) and service norms, here’s a ranked comparison:
1. Airlink – Pros: Top-ranked punctuality (~89–94% on-time across major airports), part of Star Alliance via codeshare, generous free baggage (20 kg checked in Economy), modern Embraer/BAe fleet. Cons: Smaller turboprops (for some routes) mean less legroom, and fares can be higher. Overall very reliable and quick.
2. FlySafair – Our choice. Pros: Very punctual (~91% OTP at JNB), consistently low fares, 20 kg free checked bag on most fares, new Boeing 737 jets, wide domestic network. Cons: Budget carrier means paid seat selection and extra for 2 bags, and occasional labor unrest.
3. LIFT (Global Aviation) – Pros: BA-owned; comfortable A320 jets (flat beds in premium cabin), 1×23 kg checked bag included, may offer promotional sales. Cons: Few daily flights (limited schedule); reliability middling (~84% OTP at JNB); extra fees for seats/meals on some fares. A decent mid-tier option.
4. CemAir – Pros: Covers niche cities (Bloemfontein, George, etc.) with small aircraft, can be convenient for offbeat schedules. Cons: Notoriously low punctuality (e.g. ~75% at JNB), small prop planes, limited comfort and no free checked bags (pay per kg). Use only if needed for an unusual route.
5. South African Airways (domestic) – Pros: Legacy carrier (if flying), 23 kg free bag, Star Alliance member. Cons: SAA has had operational issues; on-time ~85% in JNB, limited fleet, and few Cape Town flights. (Note: SAA long-haul still grounded; domestic flights may be via its partner Mango or restructured SAA.)
12 Money-Saving Tips for UK–SA Flights in Spring 2026
Set Price Alerts: Use Google Flights or Skyscanner to track London–Cape Town/Johannesburg tickets. Alerts will notify you of sales or dips.
Book Early (or Late): Early Spring (Nov 2025–Jan 2026) is when airlines often launch sales for Easter 2026 travel. Conversely, if you miss that, check again ~6–8 weeks before departure – sometimes last-minute deals appear.
Be Flexible on Dates: Midweek flights (Tuesdays/Wednesdays) are often cheaper than weekends. If your wedding trip can flex a day or two (e.g. arrive Friday instead of Thursday), compare dates.
Compare Airports: Check fares from Gatwick, Heathrow and even Manchester. Low-cost long-haul (Norse from LGW) and different hubs can offer big savings. A day’s shift of airport (e.g. flying out of Gatwick instead of Heathrow) can cut £50–£100 off a ticket.
Split Your Ticket: Look at one-way prices. Sometimes LHR→JNB + JNB→LHR on two one-ways is cheaper than a round-trip. Mix carriers if it saves – e.g. Gatwick → Johannesburg with one airline, Cape Town → Heathrow with another.
Consider Stopovers: A longer layover in a transit city can lower cost. For example, routing via Istanbul or Doha (Turkish/Qatar) might be cheaper than a non-stop fare. Even adding a purposeful stop in Johannesburg (see above) often saves money.
Use Budget Legs: Take advantage of low-cost segments. Norse Atlantic (LGW–CPT) and FlySafair or LIFT (JNB–CPT) can be booked separately to reduce cost. Just remember to allow extra transfer time.
Loyalty and Points: If you have airline miles or credit card points, see if any program (BA Avios, Virgin Flying Club, etc.) can cover part of the fare. Even a small award booking can slash your cash outlay.
Check Mixed-Carriers: Some OTAs will combine carriers (e.g. one-way with KLM out, one-way with Qatar back). These “hack” itineraries can occasionally beat single-airline fares.
Pack Light & Pay Less: Avoid hefty baggage fees by flying with just carry-on. South African airlines usually include 20–23 kg checked luggage, but if you go low-cost for any leg, those free allowances may not apply. Pack smart to save potential €50–€100 in fees.
Travel Agencies & Sales: Sign up to newsletters of airlines (British Airways, Virgin, Norse) and UK travel agencies. They often run flash sales or error fares for limited windows. Being ready to pounce can net a deal.
Combine with Nearby Travel: If flexible, look at open-jaw tickets: fly into Cape Town and out of Johannesburg (or vice versa). It can cost less than round-trip from the same airport and might even allow a mini road trip between.
Best Time to Book Tracker
Historically for UK–South Africa routes, airlines tend to release tickets about 11–12 months in advance.
After release, fares usually fall over time and then rise sharply as the date nears.
Analysis shows the lowest prices often occur roughly 6–8 weeks before departure, but if you do this, you’re braver than us!
In practice, the sweet spot for booking an April flight is often late January–March 2026.
However, don’t wait too long: prices will spike in the final month.
Entry, Health & Travel Admin
Baggage Tips: Check your airline’s allowance carefully. If connecting from an int’l flight to a local flight, domestic carriers (Airlink, Safair, etc.) allow one free 20–23kg bag, plus ~8kg cabin baggage. Low-cost add-ons (like for LIFT budget fares) may charge extra, so factor that into your budget. To avoid overweight charges, weigh luggage at home. Consider shipping bulky items (like heavy gifts) ahead if overweight will be pricey.
Travel Insurance: Strongly recommended. Look for cover that includes medical evacuation (in case of serious illness) and trip cancellation/interruption (some insurers offer special clauses for weddings or expensive attire). Airlines in South Africa have limited passenger rights, so insurance is your safety net if a flight is cancelled or delayed.
Share Your Deals!
Have you found a great deal or tip for flying UK–SA?
Please share your experience or bargain with us or in the comments below to help fellow wedding guests.
Safe travels, and enjoy the Cape Town wedding celebration!