Cheap flights from London to Cape Town

Thomas Cook Airlines

London Gatwick to Cape Town Airport (CPT) (seasonal)

non-stop (11h15m)

British Airways

London to Cape Town Airport (CPT)

non-stop (11h30m)

March 2016. British Airways has announced that they will be offering regional flights from Gatwick to Cape Town this winter. There will be three weekly flights from the 24th of November 2016. They'll make use of a Boeing 777. This is in addition to the Thomas Cook flights that will start on the same route in December. Hopefully this will alleviate some of the problems over the busy holiday period.

January 2016. Thomas Cook airlines announced that they will operate direct flights between London Gatwick and Cape Town International Airport on a seasonal basis. From the 15th of December 2016 until the 20th of March 2017, they will operate three flights weekly. Flights will depart on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. The route will be operated with their newly refurbished A330 and will feature both economy and premium class seats.

September 2015. British Airways has announced that from the 27th of March 2016 they will only operate 7 return flights per week between Cape Town and London.

April 2015. Virgin Atlantic has stopped operating their direct route from Cape Town to London Heathrow Airport. As they have no partner operating Cape Town - Johannesburg flights, passengers wanting to travel from South Africa on Virgin Atlantic will have to make their own way to Johannesburg.

January 2013. British Airways now finds Cape Town to be the 3rd most popular destination for business class flights (no doubt this has been boosted by SAA stopping flying the London - Cape Town route last year. CPT was beaten by only Miami and New York. Because of the popularity of the route, it is hoped that BA will use Dreamliner aircraft on it when their planes are delivered in May.

28 Oct 2012 There's been a change in the schedule for British Airways' additional winter service to CPT, BA43 is now scheduled to leave London at 17h35 and arrive in Cape Town at 07h00.

15 Aug 2012 SAA quits direct flights between London and Cape Town. "The Cape Town route from London has been unprofitable for some time and the result of a thorough analysis of the route made it clear that we could use our aircraft more optimally elsewhere. These are challenging times for the airline industry and this decision comes as part of SAA’s long term growth and business strategy.  

As an airline that has a key role in the development and support of the economy and tourism across South Africa, SAA will continue to ensure excellent business and tourism links between the Western Cape and the UK with its significant capacity via Johannesburg to 28 destinations within Southern Africa. SAA currently has two daily services between London Heathrow and Johannesburg and will be increasing its capacity on these flights by 13% through use of larger aircraft to accommodate passengers on this route. SAA also offers up to 38 flights daily between Cape Town and Johannesburg". SAA said in an email to its Voyager clients.

1 May 2012 Iberia Airlines suspends its Madrid - Johannesburg flights (cutting off Cape Town in the process)

3 Jun 2009 Air Namibia suspends its flights between London & Windhoek (Namibia).

2 Dec 1999 Virgin Atlantic operates its first flight from London to Cape Town

1963 Ken Chambers & Eric Jackson drive from London to Cape Town in a Ford Cortina in 13 days, 8 hours & 48 minutes.

27 Apr 1932 An Imperial Airways biplane takes off from the London Borough of Croydon with a few passengers, on its way to Cape Town.

20 Jan 1932 A mail-only route is opened by Imperial Airways from London to Cape Town.

9 Dec 1931 The Imperial Airways African service is extended to delivery Christmas mail to Cape Town.