SYDNEY- Qantas (QF) will introduce the first scheduled non-stop passenger service between Australia and South Africa, connecting Sydney (SYD) with the popular South African destination, Cape Town, from October 2027. The seasonal route will operate three times weekly using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, providing a direct alternative to existing connecting services through Johannesburg and other international hubs.
The inaugural flight, QF89, is scheduled for October 19, 2027, with the service continuing until March 24, 2028. The new connection will add almost 30,000 seats between Australia and South Africa and expand Qantas’ international network as the airline prepares to receive additional Boeing 787 aircraft under its fleet renewal programme.
Qantas’ Sydney Cape Town Route
Qantas will operate the Sydney–Cape Town service on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays throughout the seasonal schedule. Flight QF89 will depart Sydney at 9:15 a.m. and arrive in Cape Town at 2:40 p.m. local time, with a scheduled journey of approximately 14 hours and 25 minutes.
The airline will deploy Boeing 787 Dreamliners on the route, with the aircraft’s long-range capabilities supporting the non-stop connection. Return economy fares will start at AUD 2,470, with tickets already available for purchase.
The service will give Australian travellers direct access to Cape Town without requiring a connection in Johannesburg. It will also improve travel options for passengers visiting relatives, conducting business or exploring destinations across South Africa.
Growing Travel Demand to South Africa
The announcement comes as travel between Australia and South Africa continues to attract interest from holidaymakers and passengers visiting family and friends.
More than 120,000 Australians travelled to South Africa in 2025, while arrivals from Australia increased by 19% year-on-year in June 2026, according to figures cited by Qantas.
The airline also sees an opportunity to serve the sizeable South African-born population living in Australia. Approximately 225,000 South African-born residents call the country home, with around one-quarter living in New South Wales, where Sydney serves as the main international gateway.
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said passengers currently use the airline’s Johannesburg flights to connect to Cape Town through South African partner Airlink. The new service will remove that additional connection for travellers heading directly to the Western Cape, while offering more convenient access to the region.
Qantas’ Fleet Expansion
The Sydney–Cape Town route will depend on the arrival of additional Boeing 787-9 aircraft from late 2027. These aircraft form part of Qantas’ wider fleet renewal programme, which is intended to support international network growth and replace older aircraft.
The new connection also carries historical significance for the Australian airline. Qantas first operated scheduled passenger services to South Africa in 1952 through its Wallaby Route to Johannesburg. The journey took approximately 66 hours, with stops in Perth, the Cocos Islands and Mauritius.
The latest announcement marks a major change in connectivity between the two countries, replacing a journey that once required several stops with a direct flight lasting approximately 14 hours and 25 minutes.
Alongside its existing Sydney and Perth services to Johannesburg, Cape Town will become Qantas’ second South African destination.
The route is also expected to support tourism, trade and business opportunities in South Africa’s Western Cape.
Wesgro, the region’s tourism and investment promotion agency, expects the direct connection to improve access for Australian visitors and strengthen commercial links between the two markets.
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