New direct international flights to Cape Town from popular destination

Cape Town is set for a major boost in international connections, with Qantas announcing a new route linking the Mother City to Australia.

The seasonal service will launch in 2027 and is expected to add almost 30 000 seats between South Africa and the destination.

Sydney-Cape Town flights to operate three times a week

The new service, operating as QF89, will launch on 19 October 2027, with flights running until 24 March 2028.

Qantas will operate the route three times a week on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays using its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

The schedule means passengers will be able to leave Sydney in the morning and arrive in Cape Town on the same day.

Return economy fares start at AUD 2 470 (+/-R28 000).

Almost 30 000 additional seats between Australia and South Africa

The new route is expected to add almost 30 000 seats between Australia and South Africa. It will complement Qantas’ existing direct flights between Perth and Johannesburg, as well as its Sydney-Johannesburg service.

The airline said the new route was made possible by the arrival of additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft in late 2027. These aircraft form part of Qantas’ largest fleet renewal programme in its history.

Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said there was strong demand for travel between Australia and Cape Town.

He noted that tens of thousands of passengers already use the airline’s Johannesburg flights to connect to Cape Town through partner airlines such as Airlink.

Growing demand from Australian travellers

The new route comes as the number of Australian visitors to South Africa continues to grow.

More than 120 000 Australians visited South Africa in 2025. In June 2026, Australia overtook Germany to become South Africa’s third-largest overseas tourism source market, with arrivals increasing by 19% year on year.

The flights will also make it easier for South Africans living in Australia to visit family and friends back home.

Almost 225 000 South African-born people live in Australia, with around a quarter of them based in New South Wales.

Wesgro CEO Wrenelle Stander said the new connection would create opportunities beyond tourism, including trade, investment and business exchanges between Australia and the Western Cape.

She also added that improved air access would support job creation and growth in the province’s visitor economy.