After scheduling it, then scrapping it, then making it a triangle flight via Johannesburg, then scrapping it again, Delta Air Lines has once again announced its intention to serve Cape Town, South Africa.
Delta Air Lines Plans Cape Town Service (Again)
Delta has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation to fly the route three times weekly starting on November 18, 2022 from Atlanta (ATL). Flights would operate nonstop according to the following schedule:
- Depart Atlanta (ATL) – 8:45PM, Arrive Cape Town (CPT) – 6:45PM+1 day
- Depart Cape Town (CPT) – 9:00PM, Arrive Atlanta (ATL) – 6:25PM+1 day
Last year, Delta has requested “triangle” service which included a nonstop flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg (JNB), but a stop in Cape Town on the return over concerns that the Airbus A350-900 would be unable to return nonstop from Johannesburg with a full payload. The lower altitude and shorter distance between Cape Town and Atlanta made the longhaul route more commercially feasible.
But the South African government did not grant permission to Delta to operate the run, stating that the “domestic” flight within South Africa, even if Delta was not allowed to transport passengers exclusively between Johannesburg and Cape Town, was not permitted.
Delta is pushing ahead with the route once again on a nonstop basis, while “still seeking approval of a triangular, Atlanta-Johannesburg-Cape Town-Atlanta, routing from the South Africa Department of Transport to offer flexibility to the currently operating Atlanta-Johannesburg-Atlanta flights.” The Cape Town flight will not replace the Johannesburg flight.
The announcement likely comes as no coincidence to United’s recent announcement that it would make its Cape Town service year-round starting on June 5, 2022. United and Delta see similar market data, which projects pent-up demand for travel to South Africa after two years of pandemic and an omicron variant that hit South Africa travel particularly hard. The United flight will also operate three times weekly.
> Read More:
- Delta’s New Triangle Route To Cape Town Puts Heat On United
- South Africa Blocks Delta Air Lines From Flying To Cape Town
- United Airlines Makes Cape Town Route Year-Round
CONCLUSION
Delta wants in on the Cape Town action, hoping to charge a premium in exchange for the time savings versus connecting in Europe. While its new route is subject to government approval, the additional nonstop flights between Atlanta and Cape Town should not face regulatory hurdles.
(H/T: Paxex.Aero)
DeltaOne price in Skymiles: 1,100,000 YMMV:)
Delta will clean you out on any business class awards to Africa non stop. I got ATL-JNB years ago but it had to do with other flights changed by them and they let me book it on a long phone call.
Reminds me Stacy Lattisaw lyrics :”… And now we’re starting over again,it’s not the easiest thing to do…”
Not Stacey Latisaw!! Ha ha. Good reference!
is there really a market for this?
for travel, seems like SA is just too far and dangerous to make the trip worth it
I don’t think so — it’s a beautiful nation and the crime is not as bad as media reports make it out to be. You just must be cautious…as is true anywhere.
Crime in SA is super isolated and very rarely effects tourists. There is a TON of demand from US travelers to go to Cape Town and Johannesburg for the city, wineries, safari. It is a ‘hot’ destination for sure. I lived in Cape Town and left in 2016. Now I am in a big US city and feel Cape Town was much safer than NYC, LA, and Chicago at the moment.
How far is far? 15 hours is not bad….must be at least that long from NYC to Sydney. BTW South Africa is sensational…you’ll struggle find style and luxury combined into affordability anywhere else in the world…
And by isolated- I mean segregated and restricted to specific areas.
Nathan, smh. My favorite Cindy Lauper song is playing.
I am ex South African … now an American Citizen.
Every time I visit South Africa I am extremely vigilant.
South Africa’s Crime is escalating. Read News24.com South Africa.
Don’t get me wrong: I LOVE South Africa – WILD BEAUTY – etc etc – I was involved with Tourism etc etc..
I miss the place… had a fantastic Life there past tense … but left because of the out of control Crime etc etc etc sad to say …
One has to be realistic.
AND incidentally I have travelled globally … experienced First and Third World …seen the entire spectrum.
so understand the dynamics in certain places.
There is a LOT of Crime now because of unemployment – overpopulation – corruption.
Highjacking of cars, muggings Rape etc etc etc
One cannot just walk around at night thinking you are safe — unless in a Gated situation – or for example the CAPE TOWN Waterfront – which has a lot of Security policing the complex.
I advise any person wanting to Travel to South Africa – NOT to wear expensive jewelry or other – and NOT to walk around in desolate places alone.
PLEASE READ UP ON SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA if You are about to embark on a Trip there.
Another HUGE Problem is that the Electricity Grid/Supply has had a total meltdown… not been upgraded since the new Government took over South Africa. Thus there is load shedding … which means You will not get electricity supplied on a regular basis. When last I stayed in Cape Town: in a very nice Airbnb … there was NO Backup generator – thus everything was DARK and pretty scary — no lifts working – absolutely NO Electrical appliances could be used – TV etc etc. We sat in a dark upmarket apartment for hours!
In fact some Provinces are more affected than others.
I would highly recommend staying in a decent HOTEL Chain – than utilize a Bed and Breakfast/Airbnb — unless they have a back up generator installed. Make an enquiry before booking.
As I said before; Cape Town is a FANTASTIC PLACE to visit. Just do your homework before visiting. PLEASE.
As much as I am an incurable romantic – I am realist…
So Happy Travels and STAY SAFE!~
GREAT that there will be more direct flights to CAPE TOWN!~
Delta doesn’t have any A350ULRs.
Delta doesn’t operate the ULR version, and have none on order.