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Cape Town’s global connectivity continues to climb, with Virgin Atlantic announcing a notable increase in flights to the Mother City for the upcoming 2026/27 season.
The British airline will operate 11 weekly flights between London and Cape Town - from October 2026 through to March 2027, marking a significant uplift in capacity during one of the city’s busiest tourism periods. The move strengthens air access at a time when international demand for South Africa shows no signs of slowing.
In addition to its Cape Town expansion, Virgin Atlantic will also increase frequencies on its Johannesburg route, deploying its Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to support the added demand.
The revised schedule has been designed with traveller convenience in mind, offering more seamless overnight connections to London and improved onward connectivity into Europe and North America.
“Having served South Africa for nearly three decades, Virgin Atlantic continues to play a key role in connecting the region to global markets,” says Global Commercial Lead Liezl Gericke. “This latest capacity increase marks another milestone in supporting tourism growth, trade and cultural exchange.”
A broader trend: airlines doubling down on Cape Town
Virgin Atlantic’s expansion forms part of a wider trend, with several international carriers recently ramping up their presence in Cape Town:
- Emirates adds new Cape Town flights
- Qatar Airways plans boost to Cape Town flights
- KLM increases Cape Town service
Despite challenges such as rising jet fuel costs, a recent ASATA survey also shows demand for travel to South Africa remains resilient.
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What this means for travellers
With multiple carriers boosting capacity simultaneously, the 2026/27 summer season is shaping up to be one of the most accessible yet for international visitors heading to the Cape.
For travellers, the increase translates into:
- Greater availability of seats during peak season
- More flexible departure and arrival times
- Improved long-haul connectivity via London
Overall, the city’s status as one of Africa’s most in-demand long-haul destinations is being reinforced - and it's clearly one that airlines are betting on as global travel rebounds and expands.
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