Qantas plans to launch the first nonstop service between Australia and Cape Town in October 2027, linking Sydney with the South African city three times a week. The seasonal route is scheduled to operate through 24 March 2028 using Boeing 787-9s, with a flight time of about 14 hours 25 minutes. Qantas expects the service to add almost 30,000 seats between Australia and South Africa over the season.
Flight QF89 is scheduled to depart Sydney at 09:15 on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, arriving in Cape Town at 14:40 local time. The new link will allow Qantas passengers to reach Cape Town without connecting through Johannesburg or another hub. The airline already flies from Sydney and Perth to Johannesburg; passengers use those services to connect onwards to Cape Town with partner airlines.
Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson announced the route at the airline’s annual general meeting. The expansion depends on new Boeing 787-9 deliveries expected in late 2027. Qantas also linked the announcement to 75 years since it began scheduled services to South Africa.