The South African Guide

Emirates Adds Third Daily Cape Town Flight and Deploys A350

· 2 min read Travel News
Aircraft on the tarmac at a South African airport

Emirates has significantly upgraded its South Africa operations this July, adding a third daily flight between Dubai and Cape Town and deploying the Airbus A350-900 on the route for the first time. The airline also reinstated its fourth daily Johannesburg–Dubai service on 1 July, pushing its total weekly South Africa flights to 56.

What Has Changed

The new Cape Town frequency means travellers connecting through Dubai now have more departure time options, reducing the need to build long layovers into itineraries. The A350-900 brings a cabin upgrade compared to the aircraft previously used on the Cape Town route - the widebody twin-aisle jet is known for its quieter cabin, improved air quality, and larger windows.

For Johannesburg passengers, the fourth daily service to Dubai restores pre-2020 levels of capacity, which matters for those with onward connections into East Africa, South Asia, or Europe.

What It Means for Visitors

More seats on a route generally means more competitive fares and better availability, particularly useful during South Africa’s peak safari season (July to September). Cape Town, which is in its winter months right now, remains a year-round destination thanks to its wine country day trips and whale watching on the nearby Overberg coast.

For travellers planning a Cape Town itinerary, the expanded Emirates schedule adds genuine flexibility - especially if you’re combining a city leg with a Kruger safari or a Garden Route road trip.

Booking and Practical Notes

The third Cape Town departure operates alongside two existing services, so check specific departure times on the Emirates website when booking. Codeshare partners may offer additional ticketing options via their own platforms.

If you are flying into South Africa, note that the country now requires all arriving and departing international passengers to complete an online traveller declaration through the South African Revenue Service (SARS) system before reaching the border. This can be done ahead of time and takes around ten minutes.

For a full guide to reaching South Africa by air, including transit options and what to expect on arrival, see our flights to South Africa guide. For a breakdown of the best times to visit and what each season offers, our July travel guide covers what to expect right now.