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Price, demand and travel trends for New York to South Africa flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

Are flights from New York to South Africa cheaper or more expensive than last year?

Fares from New York to South Africa are running about the same as they were around this time last year, averaging $1,498 round-trip.

What are the cheapest fares from New York to South Africa right now?

Here are the cheapest round-trip fares from New York to South Africa on KAYAK in the last week:

• Johannesburg OR Tambo (JNB) from $980
• Cape Town Intl (CPT) from $1,094
• Durban King Shaka Intl (DUR) from $1,272
• Skukuza (SZK) from $1,697

What’s the cheapest month to fly from New York to South Africa?

February is the cheapest time of year to fly, with average fares of $1,374. Prices are highest in July, when average flight costs increase to around $1,796.

When is the best time to book flights from New York to South Africa?

Book your flights 19 weeks before your trip. KAYAK data collected over the past 12 months shows that booking in this window can save you around 8% compared to booking last-minute (within 2 weeks of departure).

Which airport in South Africa is the cheapest to fly to from New York?

Based on KAYAK data from the past 12 months, the cheapest airports to fly into South Africa are:

• Johannesburg OR Tambo (JNB) from $1,529
• Cape Town Intl (CPT) from $1,637
• Durban King Shaka Intl (DUR) from $1,735

What’s the cheapest day to fly from New York to South Africa?

Wednesday tends to be the cheapest day to fly from New York to South Africa, while Friday is the most expensive. Fares run about 6% higher that day, based on the past 12 months of KAYAK data.

What's the cheapest time of day to fly from New York to South Africa?

Data from the past 12 months shows it's cheapest to fly to South Africa during the afternoon with average prices of $1,445. The evening is the most expensive time to fly, with average prices of $1,677.

Key details for New York to South Africa flights

Low season

October

Cheapest flight

$501
Beat the crowds with an average 27% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 36% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport to Cape Town

Your New York to South Africa flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • Is now a good time to book a flight from New York to South Africa?

    Yes. Fares from New York to South Africa are low right now. As a rule of thumb, a round-trip under $1,269 (cheaper than most fares this year) is a good deal, so if you spot one at or below that, it's a good time to book.

  • How much should I budget for a flight from New York to South Africa?

    Over the past 12 months, round-trip fares from New York to South Africa have ranged from $1,269 to $1,905.

  • What are the main airports serving South Africa?

    South Africa has 30 airports. The three busiest are Cape Town Intl (CPT) (51% of arrivals), Johannesburg OR Tambo (JNB) (46%) and Durban King Shaka Intl (DUR) (3%).

  • What airlines fly nonstop from New York to South Africa?

    Based on the flight schedule for the next 3 months, just one airline regularly flies nonstop from New York to South Africa: United Airlines.

  • Where in South Africa can I fly nonstop from New York?

    Based on the flight schedule for the next 3 months, you can fly nonstop from New York to two destinations: Cape Town and Johannesburg.

  • Is it cheaper to fly with a layover from New York to South Africa?

    Yes. Nonstop flights from New York to South Africa average $1,754 over the past 12 months, but flights with a layover can cost less. The most affordable connecting airports are:

    • Abu Dhabi Zayed Intl (AUH) from $1,079
    • London Gatwick (LGW) from $1,239
    • Istanbul (IST) from $1,245

  • How long is a flight from New York to South Africa?

    Nonstop flights take 14h 39m on average. The fastest scheduled flight takes 14h 25m, from Newark (EWR) to Cape Town Intl (CPT).

  • Which cabin classes are available on flights from New York to South Africa?

    On flights from New York to South Africa you can book Economy Class, Premium Economy Class, Business Class or First Class.

  • What are some popular landmarks in South Africa?

    KAYAK travelers' favorite landmarks in South Africa include:

    • Cape Town International Convention Centre
    • Sea Point Pavilion
    • Camps Bay Beach
    • Sandton Convention Centre

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from New York to South Africa?

    The earliest nonstop flight from New York to South Africa departs at 8:35 pm and the latest departs at 9:50 pm. Nonstop flights take about 14h 39m.

  • Are nonstop flights available from New York to South Africa?

    If you’d like to fly nonstop from New York to South Africa, you can find direct flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Nonstop flights to South Africa are only available from this airport, and United Airlines is the only airline providing this service. There are at least four weekly trips from EWR to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), and the quickest nonstop flight takes about 14h 35min. JNB is the only airport in South Africa receiving nonstop flights from New York.

  • What can I do during a layover at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)?

    Most flights to regional airports in South Africa go through JNB, but there are a few things to do during a layover. Head to any observation deck and watch planes as they come and go, or grab a meal at one of several restaurants at the airport. You can also access some of the lounges by paying a single fee or go shopping at the airport’s duty-free shops. If your layover is more than 7h, head into town for a bit of exploration.

  • Which airport in South Africa should I fly to from New York?

    JNB is South Africa’s biggest airport and the primary hub for both domestic and international flights. We recommend flying into JNB, since you’ll find direct flights from EWR, you’ll be closer to attractions such as Kruger National Park, and you’ll have connections to over 20 South African destinations. However, if you plan to visit the coastal cities, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in the southern part of the country would be much better.

  • Which airport is closest to Kruger National Park?

    Kruger National Park is so large that there are nine entrance gates, and two of these are close to airports. The best airport for traveling to Kruger is JNB. You can get a nonstop flight to JNB from EWR and access Kruger National Park from the gates at Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit by car. Alternatively, you can take a connecting flight from JNB to the regional airports at Phalaborwa (PHW) or Hoedspruit (HDS). If you wish to access the southern gate, fly into Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) from JNB.

Your guide to booking New York to South Africa flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If you can plan ahead, the sweet spot for booking your flight is 19 weeks before your trip. KAYAK data shows fares in this window are around 8% lower than last-minute bookings (made within 2 weeks of departure). Not ready to commit? Set a Price Alert and we'll let you know when prices change.
  • If your travel dates are flexible, book your trip for February when flights are typically cheapest and avoid July when prices are at their highest.
  • Flying on Wednesday is usually the cheapest. Flights on Friday cost about 6% more on average, so being flexible with your travel dates could help you save.
  • If you're looking to save, Johannesburg OR Tambo (JNB) is the cheapest airport to fly into from New York. If you have onward travel, don't forget to factor in the cost of your journey by train, bus or domestic flight.
  • Start your trip in East London, which is the most popular destination in South Africa. From there, it's easy to continue on to other popular destinations such as Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.
  • If you want the shortest trip, choose the nonstop route from Newark Airport to South Africa. If you'd rather save money, the route from New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport via Abu Dhabi Zayed Intl (AUH) is usually the cheapest.
  • Before your ultra-long-haul flight from New York to South Africa, you’re welcome to relax in the lounges, rest zones, or spas at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). There’s a quiet room and a “relax and recharge” area in Terminal B, and you can access the lounges by paying at the door.
  • Flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to South Africa include at least a single layover en route. KLM and Delta are the leading airlines providing these flights, and Amsterdam is the most common layover city.
  • Those looking to drive themselves in South Africa can find car rentals at the major airports in the country. Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, Europcar, and Enterprise are some popular rental agencies with counters in South African airports.
  • US citizens visiting South Africa will need a passport that is valid for at least 30 days with two consecutive blank pages. Those visiting for tourism purposes don’t need a visa for stays less than 90 days.
  • If you’re looking for cheap single-layover flights from New York airports, consider flying from JFK, which has the cheapest one-stop flights to South Africa of the three New York airports, while LaGuardia (LGA) has the most expensive flights.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from New York to South Africa

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from New York to South Africa? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.1
EmiratesOverall score based on 3689 reviews
8.1Comfort
8.2Boarding
8.2Entertainment
7.9Food
8.4Crew
Airline reviews

Although lauded as a superior carrier, I found nothing out of the ordinary about the flight. Even in the AirBus 380, there wasn't much space in economy - especially when the seat in front was reclined. Admittedly, the toilet was more spacious than I've ever seen on an airplane, but the ill-fitting divider between the cubicles left a visible slit that was quite disconcerting. The crew were ok, but they were clearly "just doing their job." There was little enthusiasm - although given the number of the passengers, I'm not surprised they were jaded. I'd fly Emirates again, but I don't hold them above other carriers.

6.0 GoodMichael, Aug 2026
Read more Emirates reviews

Although lauded as a superior carrier, I found nothing out of the ordinary about the flight. Even in the AirBus 380, there wasn't much space in economy - especially when the seat in front was reclined. Admittedly, the toilet was more spacious than I've ever seen on an airplane, but the ill-fitting divider between the cubicles left a visible slit that was quite disconcerting. The crew were ok, but they were clearly "just doing their job." There was little enthusiasm - although given the number of the passengers, I'm not surprised they were jaded. I'd fly Emirates again, but I don't hold them above other carriers.

Boarding in New York was smooth and well organized. However, the boarding process in Dubai was less convenient. Passengers were asked to board an hour before departure, but after that we had to wait in another area that did not have enough seating capacity. To make matters worse, the flight was officially delayed by an hour, followed by an additional 45-minute delay while on the aircraft. The food was excellent and exceeded expectations. Seating comfort was decent for Economy Class, and considering the fare category, I have no major complaints. The entertainment system was outstanding. Being able to watch a FIFA match live during the flight was a completely new and enjoyable experience for me, making the journey much more engaging.

What a great trip . From check in to the upgrade we received a big shout out to Cleverson who was able to help us navigate the whole process super patient and was just one of the best customer service experiences we received in a very long time . The amazing staff on the flight who went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable amazing food and service if you have te opportunity to upgrade it's a must and well worth it.

They changed the flight time without telling us and were unwilling to help with rebooking because we booked through orbits/kayak

It was great, a little more leg room would have been better particularly since we were in premium economy

Worst flight I ever had I payed for special seats with underpriced which I never recieved. I will like you to make sure that I am refunded my 134.00 dollars that I paid for the seats that I never received. I am looking forward for Kayak to look into this issue with underpriced because they took my money and never booked the seats for me with the airline.

I am vegan. The food was balanced, tasty and enough. I enjoyed the ride. The crew was very friendly and went out of their way to please the passengers.

On time take off and early arrival, what else can one want

Staff were friendly, and provided great service. The food was plentiful and delicious. Food could have been hotter.

I was traveling business purposes and I only had one carry on and a personal computer back pack . My carry on was 8.5 kg little more than allowable. At jfk airport check in they did not let me carry it . I was little disappointed.

I just wish the boarding process/time to take off after boarding was quicker and more efficient. I also wish that the overhead luggage was managed better. almost every time i fly there is no space for carry ons and they are either checked or I end up having to store it several rows back from my seat. Delta should not offer carryons for all customers if there is not actually space for everyone

Flight was fine, it was on-time and was not cancelled which is very good. However the small cabin bag was forced check-in although once I entered into the flight there was lot of space which would have accomodated 10 such bags. Moreover this caused delay on arrival of my bag due to which I missed my booked cab and had to wait for another 20 minutes before the next taxi (Uber) arrived.

Only flew a short distance from Buffalo to New York City JFK SO it was okay

Delta seems to be getting worse. They are trying to take any comfort away from poorer people to make more money selling it to the rich. I paid for delta comfort and on my flight from Rome to jfk I had a tv that would go on and off automatically and literally no electrical outlets or usbs worked which was advertised in the price of the fare. The infotainment system wasn’t fully working. Luckily the movies worked and the plane was needing a lot of repairs. The jfk to Tampa flight they stuck me next to this really larger guy who was half in my seat and they should have made other accommodations for him because now you’re interfering with the fare class I paid for and act like I shouldn’t care because I didn’t pay for first class. I couldn’t even pull out my tray table because of this guy. The safety video tv screen you couldn’t even see it. It made me a little scared to fly delta anymore, because if these planes are this much in need of servicing, I have to wonder if the plane is going to make it to the destination.

Delayed departure, 30min. but arrived nearly on time. Crew was reassuring.

First, off the bat, the Delta gate attendant was rude, inattentive and gave us an attitude when we asked for clarification of our seats for this rebooked flight as we missed our connecting flight due to the delay from Berlin. Flight attendants were all but friendly, rushed through for water refills so you couldn’t even catch them to request more water. Snacks were just OK. Headphones for the movies were so bad that with the airplane noise, the volume of the movie wouldn’t go up enough to even understand the voices. I had to turn on CC to even know what was being said.

The baseline is to have everything happen as expected. That is what happened with the small exception that climate control in the aircraft sss not turned on when boarding started making the aircraft very hot. All in all great experience!

Very crowded and the economy seats were the smallest and with the least legroom I have ever experienced. Cabin staff were excellent although the food service was chaotic as they were being each person their food individually instead of from the wagon.

Flight was very delayed so I was able to get on an earlier flight via stand-by. Crew communicated effectively around delay and worked to make customers comfortable. Wifi was ok, streaming TV was great. App functionality broke down once I was moved to stand-by on earlier flight.

Late flight, screens not working and still had to pay for a drink

There was not even a single time where united airlines from lga has made to the gate straight , 1 hr if delay today

Check in was chaotic with only one counter for business class and first class. The luggage conveyor belt at JFK airport was broken so the flight departure was delayed which made the flight stressful as I had a tight connection. Although the captain said they could make up the delay, they didn’t do so.

I had a good time. However, I paid for the wifi and it was in and out the whole flight.

3 hour delay…. Nearly 2 hours sitting on tarmac. Do better, United. Or at least have the sense to not say “we hope you enjoyed your flight with us” upon disembarking.

Everything except the food and entertainment. It was a great experience though

Flight was delayed from 35 minute delayed aircraft arrival to 90 minute delay causing us to miss international connecting flight on SWISS resulting in 16 hour delay to reach detonation causing significant angst, monetary loss and discomfort. SWISS transfer desk and staff was like robots not willing to help at all.

Best part: It’s operated by All Nippon Airways. It’s quite literally comfortable, reliable and respected from boarding to landing each and every time. It’s perfection without extremity in lavishness — it’s how flying should always be!

Delays!!! Serious delays. I was told by a member of staff in LGA that I would miss my DEN to LAX flight connection, so I was put on a later flight. Due to delays I would have been able to have made my original flight, where I was sat in business class - seat 1A: I was put on my original flight but bumped from business - 1A to economy 33C. I want a refund for paying business class but only flying economy

The plane was delayed coming in and on the tarmac. I was coming from another flight so it made for a very long day. The stewardess kept trying to slam the overhead bins closed and I was worried that she had damaged my new luggage. They ran out of snacks and lccdsddd me a hummus box which was nice. It took them a very long time to pick up the garbage so I could not go to the washroom and had little time. To prepare for disbarment. The TV system was hard to control from the armrest and picture wasn’t clear. The crew did apologize several times for the lateness. It took the Denver airport an unusually long time to de-ice the plane.

Their app did not recognize my Aeroplan frequent flyer number and would not allow me access to my boarding card. Ground staff was readily available at the airport to print it out to me.

The seat was wet when I came in. Food was just something. And during a whole 11 to 12 hours in the airplane NO WIFI. Was is the point to buy a business ticket if you can be connected to your relatives and your company. Ethiopian used to do that to theirs customers, TECHNICAL ISSUE, WE ARE SORRY….. I am a gold customer for ET. It is very disappointed!

It was a great experience for my first time flying with this airline. I will be flying with them a lot more now. Plane crew was amazing.

The TV wasn't working No music for the whole flight from JFK to LOS It was too burring.

I paid for internet that did not work and had to pay more to have it

Delay not posted, only departure time listed- not boarding time. We left an hour late and arrived 45 min late. Restrooms had backed up sinks and toilets not flushed ) passenger error). Lots of screen for entertainment didn’t work. But we arrived with our luggage

The Boeing 737 MAX on this route, flown in the middle of the night, is an UTTER FAILURE for business travellers. The whole point of business travel is to arrive alert and recover from travel quickly, and this little aeroplane with its quarter recline uncomfortable business seats does nothing for that. It’s a small step up from economy in that you have decent legroom, but that’s it. Absolute margin at the cost of the traveller.

I had a comfortable seat that makes my trip wonderful. I appreciate the Ethiopia crew, they were very helpful

My experience was great. The flight attendants were very helpful and nice, and the food was very good.

Terrible customer service I lost my bag luggage and I still haven’t received any information

I had a full row so can't imagine how this could be better

It was good ,I enjoyed it also crew were very respectful and patient waiting people parking their belongings.

there really needs to be more room with each seat for such a long flight.

The plane was delayed almost three hours because boarding was unorganized then we were delayed even longer because the plane had an issue. The plane didn't look well maintained, there was also alot of tape on the exterior. I won't fly kenya air ways again after this trip.

There was chaos checking because of a canceled flight the day prior. Also, we had an issue with tickets. The KQ agent went above a d beyond to help us get on board the flight Overall the 13+ hour flight is uncomfortable in coach. I may try to upgrade on return

For a long haul flight, the seats were too narrow. Paid for extra legroom but wish I could have paid for width! I was pressed against another person for the whole donation of the flight.

This one is not bad even it is late, but they apologize and every time they announced the update.

The kindness and good humor of all the people who this flight possible was a joy.

They fed me at the right time the flight was smooth and the captain explain everything

Food was awful and the seats were bad. No privacy in business class with the seat next to someone. 15 hours without WiFi!!!

Seriously one of the most disappoint experiences I have ever had when flying. My flight got delayed FIVE hours. Nobody wanted to help at the airport (“this is Kenyan booking, we cannot do anything”). I got on the phone with someone from Kenyan for one hour until he finally moved my ticket to a Delta ticket. Then the painful journey restarted - the Delta crew in land kept saying there was no other flight and ai had to wait. An agent called Gerard Robert was being so sarcastic I felt humiliated. He would say things like “you say you understand what I am saying but you are not understanding what so am saying”. I asked him to please speak in a less sarcastic tone and he said “I am not going to speak with you anymore, go find someone else”. These were his words. Tired, after 14 hours in a plane, I just wanted to cry. I looked for another agent, who was an angel and rebooked me to another flights. Thanks to her, I made it to my meeting in Washington-DC. I am going to send a formal complaint to Delta about agent Gerard Robert. It is not fair to speak with customers in that cynical, sarcastic tone. If one works in customer service, it ia important to mind that tones can make people feel humiliated. And turning the back to a customer by saying “Go find someone else” can’t be part of his training.

More options for your flight from New York to South Africa

Complete your trip to South Africa with a hotel stay or car rental