$518 Find Cheap Flights from New York to South Africa

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from New York to South Africa departing on 5/7. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Cheap Flights from New York to South Africa

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours
Johannesburg
Johannesburg1 stop$949
Cape Town
Cape Town1 stop$1,130
Durban
Durban2 stops$1,078
George
George2 stops$1,510
Skukuza
Skukuza2 stops$1,539
Mthatha
Mthatha3 stops$2,267
Upington
Upington2 stops$1,681
Johannesburg
Johannesburg1 stop$949
Cape Town
Cape Town1 stop$1,130
Durban
Durban2 stops$1,078
George
George2 stops$1,510
Skukuza
Skukuza2 stops$1,539
Mthatha
Mthatha3 stops$2,267
Upington
Upington2 stops$1,681

Book Cheap New York to South Africa Plane Tickets

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from New York to South Africa that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from New York to South Africa

Wed, Aug 12 - Wed, Sep 9
Qatar Airways Logo
10:00 pm - 9:00 am
JFK
-
JNB
29h 00m
1 stop
Qatar Airways Logo
12:40 pm - 9:00 am
JNB
-
JFK
26h 20m
1 stop
$949Qatar Airways
Wed, Aug 19 - Tue, Sep 8
Qatar Airways Logo
10:00 pm - 9:00 am
JFK
-
JNB
29h 00m
1 stop
Qatar Airways Logo
12:40 pm - 9:00 am
JNB
-
JFK
26h 20m
1 stop
$959Qatar Airways
Tue, Sep 1 - Sat, Sep 12
Kenya Airways Logo
1:45 pm - 10:10 pm
JFK
-
CPT
26h 25m
1 stop
Kenya Airways Logo
2:20 pm - 7:35 am
CPT
-
JFK
23h 15m
1 stop
$1,236Kenya Airways
Mon, May 11 - Mon, May 18
Kenya Airways Logo
1:45 pm - 1:35 pm
JFK
-
CPT
41h 50m
2 stops
Kenya Airways Logo
2:25 pm - 7:35 am
CPT
-
JFK
23h 10m
2 stops
$1,241Kenya Airways
Thu, May 21 - Thu, May 28
Ethiopian Air Logo
9:45 pm - 3:55 am
EWR
-
JNB
24h 10m
2 stops
Ethiopian Air Logo
10:50 pm - 7:45 pm
JNB
-
EWR
26h 55m
2 stops
$1,316Ethiopian Air
Tue, May 26 - Sun, Jun 7
Ethiopian Air Logo
9:45 pm - 3:55 am
EWR
-
JNB
24h 10m
2 stops
Ethiopian Air Logo
5:30 am - 7:45 pm
JNB
-
EWR
20h 15m
2 stops
$1,317Ethiopian Air
Mon, Sep 7 - Tue, Oct 13
United Airlines Logo
2:32 pm - 3:20 pm
LGA
-
CPT
18h 48m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
8:00 pm - 9:31 am
CPT
-
LGA
19h 31m
1 stop
$1,575United Airlines
Fri, Sep 11 - Tue, Oct 13
United Airlines Logo
7:48 pm - 3:20 pm
LGA
-
CPT
37h 32m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
8:00 pm - 1:49 pm
CPT
-
LGA
23h 49m
1 stop
$1,581United Airlines
Wed, Oct 21 - Fri, Oct 30
Delta Logo
12:00 pm - 9:25 pm
LGA
-
CPT
27h 25m
2 stops
Delta Logo
8:50 pm - 12:41 pm
CPT
-
LGA
21h 51m
1 stop
$1,616Delta
Wed, Oct 21 - Fri, Oct 30
Delta Logo
5:00 pm - 9:25 pm
LGA
-
CPT
22h 25m
2 stops
Delta Logo
8:50 pm - 2:00 pm
CPT
-
LGA
23h 10m
2 stops
$1,621Delta
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for New York to South Africa flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from New York to South Africa to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What is the cheapest New York to South Africa flight route?

Data is based on round-trip flight searches on KAYAK over the past month.

The cheapest ticket to South Africa from New York found in the last 72 hours was to Cape Town, at $1,560 round-trip. The most popular route is from Newark Airport (EWR) to Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (JNB), and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $1,609.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from New York to South Africa?

The average round-trip price for all non-stop flights, flights with one layover, and flights with two layovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

Yes, flying with a layover may cost you more time, but you can also save money on the route, with a 3 stops layover the cheapest option at $1,417 on average.

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

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from New York to South Africa, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from New York to South Africa is June, when tickets cost $87 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are November and March, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $4,093 and $2,259 respectively.

How far in advance should I book a flight from New York to South Africa?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from New York to South Africa, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price on the flight from New York to South Africa, you should book around 2 weeks before departure, which saves you about 14% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 14 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonJanuary
Cheapest flight$628
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 13% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 14% increase in price.
Flight from New York John F Kennedy Airport to OR Tambo Airport, Johannesburg

FAQs - booking South Africa flights

  • 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.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from New York to South Africa?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from New York to South Africa.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from New York to South Africa?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight from New York to South Africa is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from New York to South Africa?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly from New York to South Africa with an airline and back with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from New York to South Africa?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying from New York to South Africa up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to South Africa

  • 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.
7.9
DeltaOverall score based on 8466 reviews
8.1Boarding
7.9Comfort
8.5Crew
7.2Food
7.8Entertainment
Airline reviews

WiFi didn’t work. Flight delayed 3 hours Crew members were illiterate Seat lean back did not work.

2.0 MediocreNicholas, Apr 2026
LGA - CLT
Read more Delta reviews

WiFi didn’t work. Flight delayed 3 hours Crew members were illiterate Seat lean back did not work.

Transparency from pilots, quick boarding and exiting the plane, staff greeted to each and everyone,

WiFi didn’t work most of the time. The usb chargers would work only occasionally for 5 mins and wouldn’t charge after that. Had to keep trying repeatedly at each of the seats in the row.

The crew bent over backwards to thank us for flying and make us comfortable. The food service was quick and efficient. The Captain communicated and said goodbye and thank you as we departed. They really stood out!

Flight delayed. Air broken. Cabin was hot enough to pass out. Delta shuttle’s becoming worse and worse.

my mom urmila patel needed a wheelchair which was not available on the curbside. she needed to walk almost 50 meters inside (at the risk of falling) and then had to wait in line to get a wheelchair (this is not ok). Once obtained she had to seat in it for 30-45 minutes for someone to take her in thru the checkin process (which was fairly smooth and easy). the lady who helped her with her checkin process was very courteous and helpful

Excellent service, I love the soft blush pink mood lighting on the 767-400ER during meal service. The overhead gasper vents on the 767-400ER were also very strong with a lot of airflow to keep me comfortable on my flight.

This was the worse experience. They delayed our flight twice and we still had to find another flight to get home sooner which was alos delayed. Also, the flight attendant named Ginny on DL9890 leaving at 4:13pm on 3/23/26 was extremely rude.

I love Delta the flight attendants were personable and the flight arrived 1/2 earlier thanks expected. All a plus. The gate agent was a bit flustered but even with that I still had a good experience. Her supervisor assisted me.

I am still at the Airport! Delayed Delayed and Delyaed

All good flight was 35 minutes early when arriving in Edinburgh

Flight left on time, arrived early, pleasant staff provided water, coffee, etc. access to bathrooms was reasonable and were well maintained. blankets were available, lots of entertainment options. LUGGAGE SERVICE WAS GREAT. I got my one checked bag quickly and was able to make a bus connection for a 2 hour bus ride saving me from waiting another 1.5 hours.

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

They promise free wi-fi prior to boarding and then once on board you are informed you have to purchase wifi even after being a mileagePlus member.

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.

Both our flights were delayed. Almost didn’t get in the second flight. Staff was rude to the bone.

Everything went well except the turbulence what no one have a control of but pilot and crew handled very good!

Flight on time. Excellent service in Premium Economy. Great food served and cleaned up promptly. Unfortunately the climate control was malfunctioning and it was very cold and felt a bit like camping. Cold helps with sleep though so not complaining too much. Slept well. It asks to rate "entertainment". I do not like any IFE, don't shove a big screen in my face—I have my own phone if I want it. So this will always get low ratings.

Once boarding started it was pretty quick. Food was inedible; cold and salty..

Much better than Spirit. I was please by the easy fast check in and boarding

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

Flight was delayed by two hours. This really messed things up because I missed my connecting flight in Addis. I had a meeting in Entebbe which was scrapped because my flight from Addis landed later in the day.

To the Ethiopian Airlines Customer Relations Team, I am writing to formally express my disappointment regarding my recent travel experience with Ethiopian Airlines on flight 629/352. Unfortunately, the level of service provided fell significantly short of the standards I expected from your airline. I would like to highlight the following serious issues encountered during the journey: • Cabin Condition and Hygiene: The aircraft cabin was notably poorly maintained. The seating area was dirty, and there was a persistent, unpleasant odor throughout the flight, which made the environment very uncomfortable for passengers. • Inadequate Service: The overall level of service provided by the staff was unsatisfactory and did not reflect a professional passenger experience. • Baggage Loss: Upon arrival, I was informed that my luggage was lost. This is particularly distressing as it has caused significant personal inconvenience and disruption to my schedule. As a frequent traveler, I value reliability and a clean cabin environment. I request that you investigate these matters immediately, provide an update on the status of my missing baggage, and outline how you intend to compensate for these failures in service. I look forward to your prompt response and a resolution to my lost luggage claim. Sincerely, Puguh

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

A bit chaotic boarding flight but over all good experience.

The crew was unfriendly and very rude to name a few (Helina). I felt unsafe due to most of the cabinets were open while on flight. All in all the flight was ok, but the crew needed more training on customer service most of all for international flights.

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 plane was old and the luggage racks above us were visibly shaking during turbulence. Water was dripping on our heads during landing. Our flight was over 2 hours late departing but we were not updated or told what to expect as the screen at the gate continued to read “on time”

Check in took over an hour because printer was not working. Attendant did not know how to give free layover Addis Ababa hotel vouchers or update frequent flyer number. After repeated attempts, got voucher emailed. However hotel wanted printed voucher hence more delay. Bus time from hotel back to airport was printed 4:50 hours, but hotel reception called at 3 pm saying bus will leave at 4 pm. Then hotel reception called again saying 4:15 pm. We rushed at 4:15 pm and bus was not ready until 4:40 pm. Many audio outlets were not working in planes.

My recent experience with ASKY Airlines was disappointing. The check-in process was disorganized, and I was provided with inaccurate information regarding baggage requirements, resulting in unforeseen expenses. Additionally, the ground staff demonstrated a lack of professionalism and appeared insufficiently trained to handle passenger needs effectively. Regrettably, this initial encounter has left me reluctant to consider future travel with the airline.

Flying in the United States with the major airlines has become so underwhelming. A 2-3hr flight in most other parts of the world with the major carriers of the area comes with newer, CLEANER aircraft and significantly better in flight service in terms of both staff attitude and a actual meal service.

I am writing to share detailed feedback regarding my recent journey with American Airlines on the New York (JFK) to New Delhi (DEL) sector, which was ultimately diverted to Jaipur (JAI) due to weather conditions. At the outset, I would like to acknowledge that this was a full long-haul flight of approximately 14–15 hours, and while the journey fulfilled its primary transport objective, several aspects of the experience warrant both recognition and constructive feedback. 1. Cabin Crew Conduct and Service Consistency While the majority of the cabin crew maintained a polite and professional demeanor, one flight attendant’s conduct was notably inconsistent with expected service standards. The tone was often directive and lacked the warmth and guest-centric engagement typically associated with long-haul service. This created a perceptible imbalance in the cabin experience. Although other crew members acknowledged and apologized for the behavior, it highlighted a gap in service standardization and supervisory oversight. 2. Inflight Experience (IFE & Comfort) The inflight entertainment system was unreliable, with content failing to load consistently throughout the journey. Seating comfort in economy class was below expectations when compared with other international long-haul carriers. Cabin environment management at times felt unsettled, with noticeable noise and movement in the aisles. 3. Disruption Handling and Communication (DEL Diversion to JAI) The diversion to Jaipur due to weather was understandably beyond the airline’s control. However, the handling of post-diversion communication and guest management was an area of concern: Information during and after the diversion was fragmented and lacked clarity Limited guidance was provided upon disembarkation regarding next steps (transport, accommodation, onward travel) Ground coordination appeared inconsistent, with hotel partners and passengers receiving incomplete or delayed updates Communication the following morning remained unclear, including last-minute changes to transfer timings This resulted in avoidable uncertainty during a critical disruption phase. 4. Positive Acknowledgment – Ground Recovery Arrangements It is important to recognize that despite the initial communication gaps, the overall recovery framework was eventually well executed: Hotel accommodation was arranged efficiently Meal vouchers were provided appropriately Transfers between airport and hotel were organized in a structured manner Given the sudden and large-scale disruption, these arrangements were commendable and reflect the airline’s ability to operationally recover once systems were in place. 5. Recommendations for Improvement In the interest of strengthening the overall customer experience, I would respectfully propose the following: Service Delivery Reinforce consistent cabin crew service standards, particularly for long-haul sectors Enhance supervisory presence to address outlier behaviors in real time Inflight Product Improve reliability of inflight entertainment systems Reassess economy seating comfort for ultra-long-haul routes Disruption Management Establish a more visible “Care & Coordination Team” during irregular operations Ensure clear, centralized communication (single source of truth) for passengers and ground partners Provide structured briefing points to hotel and transport vendors to avoid information gaps Introduce proactive guest engagement (clear next steps, timelines, reassurance) Closing Reflection: While the journey was impacted by both controllable and uncontrollable factors, the overall experience would have been significantly enhanced through greater consistency in service delivery and more structured communication during disruption. I appreciate the efforts made by the broader team in arranging accommodation and onward logistics under challenging circumstances. With improved coordination and alignment, the experience can be elevated to match the expectations of a global long-haul carrier. Thank you for your attention to this feedback. I trust it will be received constructively and contribute to ongoing service improvement. Warm regards, Soosnata Chowdhury Convert effective for airlines) Or tailor tone

Wifi was spotty. Tray table was very dirty when I sat down.

Flight was extremely hot and they made us check our bags when the space was nowhere near full

Same plane as RDU to LGA — internet not working. Pilot issue of some sort at end of prior flight - I was on same plane for my connection. Late/delayed —

For an international flight the seats were smaller than most flight I have been on in economy. I don’t know the size of the seats or perhaps it was the size of the seat dividers that made the seats feel smaller and little amount of space to even turn your body if you needed to

My flight from LGA was cancelled and my rebooked flight from JFK was delayed numerous times. I will now be getting home after 2am.

Flight was delayed half hour before boarding, but when I checked flight aware the plane that would Pick us up had a delay of more than an hour. AA should let us know in advance to avoid waiting several hours in the airport

Not really sure I enjoyed the flight at all. The flight attendants seemed a little tired and rude at times. The snacks were lacking in taste and sustenance. The flight was incredibly turbulent for three plus hours and the pilot had to do a second pass to land at our final destination because he was coming in so fast. He must have taken a short cut and because of it we had to suffer the violent turbulence and the dropping down. It had to be one of if not the worse flights I have ever been on and have traveled vastly all over the world.

Aging planer and NO wifi on a 14 hour day flight. Unless you are retired or don't need to work or be in touch with the world... The lack of Wifif really ruined the flight. And the old plane - really showing it's age, wasn't great

The seats in Premier Economy were very comfortable. The food was better than average. The way British Airways handled our seating was atrocious.

Worst airline in the world. They downgraded me from business class to economy with no compensation.

Even if you wait for connecting passengers you should not be an hour late departing waiting their luggage. Your passengers may have connections in the other end and you harm them.

WiFi wasn’t available to economy until the end of the flight.

Getting the boarding passes between the BA and AA apps was very clunky.

The airline was not clear about a new departure time so we got to the airport early anyway. The flight left early which was great because of weather. The check in process was very easy and staff were friendly and helpful. The crew was great and our flight was very good.

Although business class, the seating was really cramped. The food was so so.

Smooth trip no turbulence which is always a bonus for me lol! In cattle class so an element of being a bit squished (but not as bad as other shorter haul airlines) smaller plane than the one we flew out on and entertainment system wasn’t as modern but still definitely passed the time. Lovely crew x

I was sleeping during dinner service, no one bothered to offer meal later, I remained hungry….until I got a morning sandwich!

Very caring crew on board. Didn’t have dinner as I was sleeping. Was seating in the emergency row so I had comfortable leg room

Everything you need to know for your flight from New York to South Africa

Cabin class types available on flights to South Africa

Cabin classes available on flights to South Africa. Prices are the lowest found on KAYAK over the last 7 days. Price and availability is not guaranteed.