Qantas to Launch Sydney–Cape Town Non-Stop Flights
Seasonal service begins October 19, 2027, flown by new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners joining the Qantas fleet.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Africa
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Would you book a non-stop flight to Cape Town if one were available?
Qantas will operate non-stop flights between Sydney and Cape Town starting October 19, 2027, running seasonally until March 24, 2028. The route will be the first direct link between Australia and Cape Town, replacing the current connection through Johannesburg.
Why it matters
Tens of thousands of Qantas travellers connect through Johannesburg each year, and Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace points to that demand as the basis for a non-stop service. The route also reflects growing Australian interest in South Africa, with more than 120,000 Australians visiting in 2025.
QF89 is scheduled at about 14.5 hours, departing Sydney at 9:15am and arriving in Cape Town at 2:40pm the same day, operating three times a week on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Australian arrivals to South Africa rose 19% year-on-year in June 2026, making Australia the country's third-largest overseas source market.
The players
Qantas
Qantas is Australia's flagship international airline, operating long-haul routes and a fleet renewal program centered on Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
Cam Wallace
Cam Wallace is the CEO of Qantas International, overseeing the airline's long-haul network and expansion.
The details
The service will be flown by new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners arriving from late 2027, and it is scheduled to run during Cape Town's summer. Until now, Australians heading to Cape Town have connected in Johannesburg, typically on Qantas partner Airlink.
Timeline
October 19, 2027: Seasonal Sydney–Cape Town service is scheduled to begin.
Late 2027: New Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners are expected to join the Qantas fleet.
March 24, 2028: Seasonal Sydney–Cape Town service is scheduled to end.
Fleet Expansion
The route depends on the Boeing 787-9, a long-range twin-engine jet that airlines have used to open direct links between cities previously served only through hubs. Qantas is using new 787s to add a route it could not operate efficiently with older fleet types.
Travellers from Australia to Cape Town will be able to book a direct flight instead of connecting in Johannesburg, cutting out a connection on a trip that is otherwise about 14.5 hours long. The service runs only during the Cape Town summer period, so travellers outside those dates will still need to connect.
The takeaway
A direct Sydney–Cape Town route removes a connection that tens of thousands of travellers have made each year. Travellers planning a trip during the seasonal window can book non-stop, while those travelling outside it should still plan a connection through Johannesburg.
What happens next
The seasonal service is scheduled to begin on October 19, 2027, and end on March 24, 2028, with new Boeing 787-9 aircraft joining the fleet from late 2027.
Further reading
For more on destinations across the continent, explore our Africa travel coverage.
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Would you book a non-stop flight to Cape Town if one were available?
