Qantas launches Sydney–Cape Town non-stop and Project Sunrise Sydney–London ultra-long-haul
Qantas will introduce the first-ever non-stop flights between Sydney and Cape Town from October 2027, marking a major change in Australia–South Africa air links. The new service will operate seasonally, running from October to March, which is Cape Town’s summer. This decision is part of Qantas’ largest fleet renewal, with new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft arriving in late 2027. The airline says the route will add almost 30,000 seats between Australia and South Africa during the season. Tickets for the Sydney–Cape Town flights went on sale on 11 June 2024, giving the trade a long lead time for planning and group bookings.
The new direct Sydney–Cape Town route will benefit a wide range of travellers, including leisure tourists, business travellers, groups, and the African diaspora with ties to Australia. The seasonal schedule may also appeal to MICE organisers and students travelling for the southern summer. With Qantas already flying direct from Perth and Sydney to Johannesburg, this new route gives more options for those connecting between Australia and southern Africa. The extra capacity may help reduce pressure on fares during the busy summer period, but agents should check with Qantas for group rates and seat availability, especially for peak dates.
For travel sellers, the launch of Sydney–Cape Town brings new opportunities and some practical points to consider. The flights will be operated by the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, but the exact seat configuration for this route has not been confirmed. Agents should note that the service is seasonal (October–March), so year-round itineraries will still require connections via Johannesburg or other hubs. As with all Australia-bound travel, visa requirements for South African and other African passport holders remain strict. Agents should check the latest entry rules with the Australian Department of Home Affairs before confirming bookings. Early ticketing is advised, as the new route may attract strong demand from both ends of the market.
Connectivity from other African hubs to Cape Town is an important consideration. While Johannesburg remains the main gateway for flights from Lagos, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Accra, and Kigali, Cape Town is also served by domestic South African carriers. Travellers from these cities can reach Cape Town via Johannesburg, but there is no confirmation of codeshare or interline agreements between Qantas and African airlines for the new service. This may mean that through-ticketing and baggage transfer are not automatic, so agents should check with Qantas and local carriers before issuing tickets. The lack of direct links from other African cities to Cape Town may limit the appeal for some markets, but the new route still offers a valuable alternative for those able to connect domestically within South Africa.
Compared to other African countries, South Africa will now be the only sub-Saharan market with two non-stop links to Australia (Johannesburg and Cape Town). This is a significant advantage over markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, or Ghana, which do not have direct flights to Australia. For the trade, this may mean that South Africa becomes a more attractive hub for Australia-bound traffic from the region. However, the seasonal nature of the Cape Town service means that Johannesburg will remain the main year-round option. Agents in other African countries should consider routing clients via Johannesburg for the widest choice of dates and connections.
Background figures on Cape Town International Airport and South African tourism flows to Australia are not available from official sources at this time. However, it is clear that Australia–South Africa traffic is significant enough to support multiple direct routes. Qantas’ decision to add almost 30,000 seats for the season suggests strong demand, especially during the southern summer. The introduction of the Dreamliner on this route is part of a broader trend towards more efficient, long-range aircraft, which may enable further expansion in the future. Agents should monitor Qantas announcements for updates on capacity and possible year-round service.
The history of Qantas’ South Africa service goes back 75 years. In 1952, the airline’s first scheduled passenger flight to Johannesburg took 66 hours and included stops in Perth, the Cocos Islands, and Mauritius. The new Sydney–Cape Town route will allow passengers to leave Sydney in the morning and arrive in Cape Town the same day, a dramatic improvement in journey time. This reflects both advances in aircraft technology and the growing importance of direct, long-haul connections for business and leisure travel. The new service is enabled by Qantas’ largest-ever fleet renewal, which will see the arrival of new 787-9 Dreamliners from late 2027.
There are several open questions for the trade. It is not yet known whether Qantas will extend codeshare or interline agreements with African carriers for the Cape Town service. The airline has not announced if the route will become year-round in future seasons. There is also no information on group fares, commission structures, or distribution channels for the new flights. Agents should check with Qantas and their GDS for updates as the launch date approaches. Visa requirements for African nationals remain a key issue, and agents should confirm the latest rules before advising clients. The trade should also watch for any changes in Australian entry policy that could affect demand.
Looking ahead, the launch of Project Sunrise in October 2027 will see Qantas operate non-stop Sydney–London flights (QF1/QF2) for the first time. These flights will use the new Airbus A350-1000ULR, with 238 seats across four cabins. Tickets for the direct Sydney–London service will go on sale from February 2027. The new aircraft will allow flights of more than 16,000 kilometres and up to 22 hours non-stop, saving up to four hours compared to current one-stop services. Qantas will take delivery of 12 A350-1000ULR aircraft, with the first expected in April 2027. The existing Sydney–London via Singapore service will continue as QF5/QF6, and the Perth–Rome seasonal service will move to QF105/QF106.
The outlook for sub-Saharan African travel sellers is positive, with more options for clients travelling to Australia and beyond. The new Sydney–Cape Town route may stimulate demand for multi-destination itineraries and open up new opportunities for group and MICE travel. The introduction of ultra-long-haul aircraft like the Dreamliner and A350-1000ULR may also encourage other airlines to consider similar routes in future. However, the trade should remain alert to changes in visa policy, distribution, and interline arrangements, as these will shape the practical impact of the new services. Agents should engage with Qantas and local partners to ensure they can offer the best advice and support to their clients as these changes take effect.
Sources: Qantas Newsroom, media release, 11 June 2024; Qantas Newsroom, media release, 11 June 2024; Qantas Newsroom, media release, June directly by editor.
