How long is the flight from California to South Africa?

On average, it takes 22h 40m to fly from California to South Africa if you fly out of San Diego (the most popular airport in California) and into Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (the most popular airport in South Africa). If you’re flying out of Los Angeles and into Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport, then the flight time is around 24h 35m.

Which airlines fly to South Africa?

British Airways, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines are the top three most popular airlines that fly to South Africa from California according to our data. British Airways is the first choice among our users, with 42% of people opting to fly with this airline when travelling to South Africa. Keep in mind that there are 5 different airlines that fly to South Africa on a routine basis, so you have a few additional options to choose from.

What is the cheapest airline that flies from California to South Africa?

Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and United Airlines are the most popular carriers operating from California to South Africa

When did momondo last update prices for flights from California to South Africa?

Prices for flights from California to South Africa are refreshed on a daily basis.

How many operators does momondo search for flights from California to South Africa?

There are 5 operators available for flights from California to South Africa as of February 2026.

How old do you have to be to fly from California to South Africa?

The minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, but airlines offering an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service may have their age restrictions, such as regulations concerning flight duration, timing, and stopovers. It is recommended that you verify with the airline you are booking with for travel from California to South Africa.

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to South Africa?

The required travel and health documents for your South Africa trip may vary depending on your itinerary and personal circumstances. As a general rule, you should carry multiple documents, including a national ID card or driver's licence and a passport valid for six months after your intended arrival at South Africa. We recommend that you seek guidance from your airline or a reliable third party such as IATA.

R9 679 Cheap Flights from California to South Africa in 2026

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Find the cheapest flights from California to South Africa

Round-trip

One-way

Last minute

Cheap return flights

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

11:45 - 18:35

SFO

JNB

45h 50m

1 stop

19:50 - 9:50

JNB

SFO

47h 00m

1 stop

R14 983Singapore Airlines

Wed, Aug 5 - Tue, Aug 25

0:15 - 18:35

LAX

JNB

33h 20m

1 stop

19:50 - 19:55

JNB

LAX

33h 05m

1 stop

R14 983Singapore Airlines

Thu, Aug 6 - Sat, Aug 22

11:45 - 18:35

SFO

JNB

45h 50m

1 stop

19:50 - 9:50

JNB

SFO

47h 00m

1 stop

R15 560Singapore Airlines

Wed, Aug 5 - Tue, Aug 25

13:59 - 15:50

LAX

JNB

40h 51m

2 stops

17:00 - 17:09

JNB

LAX

33h 09m

2 stops

R15 673Multiple Airlines

Tue, Mar 24 - Tue, Apr 28

22:05 - 15:50

LAX

JNB

32h 45m

2 stops

17:00 - 15:09

JNB

LAX

31h 09m

2 stops

R16 346Multiple Airlines

Sat, Apr 25 - Sun, May 3

19:50 - 10:50

SFO

JNB

30h 00m

1 stop

19:10 - 17:45

JNB

SFO

31h 35m

1 stop

R16 442Turkish Airlines

Sun, Mar 8 - Thu, Mar 12

12:55 - 10:30

SFO

JNB

36h 35m

1 stop

17:50 - 16:40

JNB

SFO

31h 50m

1 stop

R16 458Turkish Airlines

Tue, Mar 31 - Tue, Apr 14

15:52 - 7:00

SFO

JNB

30h 08m

2 stops

19:25 - 13:50

JNB

SFO

27h 25m

1 stop

R16 890British Airways

Fri, May 1 - Mon, May 11

21:45 - 9:25

SFO

JNB

26h 40m

2 stops

19:25 - 13:50

JNB

SFO

27h 25m

1 stop

R16 906British Airways

Fri, May 15 - Sun, May 24

15:52 - 7:00

SFO

JNB

30h 08m

2 stops

21:15 - 13:50

JNB

SFO

25h 35m

1 stop

R16 923American Airlines

Tue, Apr 7 - Mon, Apr 27

Singapore Airlines flights from California to South Africa

Our best Singapore Airlines deals on California to South Africa flight tickets

Singapore Airlines

Aug 5

SFO11:45San Francisco

45h 50m

1 stop

JNB18:35Johannesburg OR Tambo

Aug 25

JNB19:50Johannesburg OR Tambo

47h 00m

1 stop

SFO9:50San Francisco

R14 983

Singapore Airlines

Aug 5

SFO11:45San Francisco

45h 50m

1 stop

JNB18:35Johannesburg OR Tambo

Aug 25

JNB19:50Johannesburg OR Tambo

47h 00m

1 stop

SFO9:50San Francisco

R15 560

Singapore Airlines

Jul 22

LAX21:50Los Angeles

35h 45m

1 stop

JNB18:35Johannesburg OR Tambo

Aug 12

JNB19:50Johannesburg OR Tambo

35h 20m

1 stop

LAX22:10Los Angeles

R15 657

Virgin Atlantic flights from California to South Africa

Our best Virgin Atlantic deals on California to South Africa flight tickets

Virgin Atlantic

Mar 2

SFO11:47San Francisco

21h 13m

1 stop

JNB19:00Johannesburg OR Tambo

Mar 17

JNB21:55Johannesburg OR Tambo

30h 15m

1 stop

SFO19:10San Francisco

R16 746

Virgin Atlantic

Mar 2

SFO8:00San Francisco

25h 00m

1 stop

JNB19:00Johannesburg OR Tambo

Mar 17

JNB21:55Johannesburg OR Tambo

34h 24m

1 stop

SFO23:19San Francisco

R16 890

Virgin Atlantic

Mar 2

SFO11:47San Francisco

21h 13m

1 stop

JNB19:00Johannesburg OR Tambo

Mar 17

JNB21:55Johannesburg OR Tambo

31h 38m

1 stop

SFO20:33San Francisco

R16 987

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

San FranciscoJohannesburg

SFO - JNB

SFOJNB

San Francisco

Wed 5/8

11:45-18:35

1 stop45h 50m

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Tue 25/8

19:50-9:50

1 stop47h 00m

R14 983

Los AngelesJohannesburg

LAX - JNB

LAXJNB

Los Angeles

Thu 6/8

0:15-18:35

1 stop33h 20m

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Sat 22/8

19:50-19:55

1 stop33h 05m

R14 983

San FranciscoJohannesburg

SFO - JNB

SFOJNB

San Francisco

Wed 5/8

11:45-18:35

1 stop45h 50m

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Tue 25/8

19:50-9:50

1 stop47h 00m

R15 560

Los AngelesJohannesburg

LAX - JNB

LAXJNB

Los Angeles

Tue 24/3

13:59-15:50

2 stops40h 51m

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Tue 28/4

17:00-17:09

2 stops33h 09m

R15 673

Los AngelesJohannesburg

LAX - JNB

LAXJNB

Los Angeles

Sat 25/4

22:05-15:50

2 stops32h 45m

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Sun 3/5

17:00-15:09

2 stops31h 09m

R16 346

San FranciscoJohannesburg

SFO - JNB

SFOJNB

San Francisco

Sun 8/3

19:50-10:50

1 stop30h 00m

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Thu 12/3

19:10-17:45

1 stop31h 35m

R16 442

San FranciscoJohannesburg

SFO - JNB

SFOJNB

San Francisco

Tue 31/3

12:55-10:30

1 stop36h 35m

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Tue 14/4

17:50-16:40

1 stop31h 50m

R16 458

San FranciscoJohannesburg

SFO - JNB

SFOJNB

San Francisco

Fri 1/5

15:52-7:00

2 stops30h 08m

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Mon 11/5

19:25-13:50

1 stop27h 25m

R16 890

San FranciscoJohannesburg

SFO - JNB

SFOJNB

San Francisco

Fri 15/5

21:45-9:25

2 stops26h 40m

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Sun 24/5

19:25-13:50

1 stop27h 25m

R16 906

San FranciscoJohannesburg

SFO - JNB

SFOJNB

San Francisco

Tue 7/4

15:52-7:00

2 stops30h 08m

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Mon 27/4

21:15-13:50

1 stop25h 35m

R16 923

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How to get the cheapest flight ticket from California to South Africa

Look no further. We've gone through all the searches for this route on momondo so you have the important information and insights to find the cheapest flight ticket for your trip

Prices

Airlines

Other information

What is the cheapest month to fly to South Africa?

The cheapest month to fly to South Africa from California is in January. Flight prices, which tend to average around R18 910, are often lower during this time because this is during the off-season. If you don’t want to visit South Africa in January, then you should wait until April to fly from California, when ticket prices are also cheap, with an average price of R19 086.

How far in advance should I book a flight to South Africa?

You are more likely to see cheaper flights to South Africa from California when booking weeks ahead of your departure date. In general, you can expect to find flights to South Africa for around R20 929 when searching weeks before you fly. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to South Africa from California for as low as R19 022 on momondo.

Can stopping save me money on California to South Africa flights?

You could potentially save up to 7% on your flight if you consider stops on a California to South Africa flight.

Cheap California to South Africa flight deals and tips

Find info about flight duration, direct flights, and airports for your flight from California to South Africa

Fastest flight time	20h 40m
Direct flights	None

The fastest flight from California to South Africa takes 20h 40m

There are no direct flights from California to South Africa. There are no popular flight routes from California to South Africa.

Search flight deals

When did momondo last update prices for flights from California to South Africa?
Prices for flights from California to South Africa are refreshed on a daily basis.
How many operators does momondo search for flights from California to South Africa?
There are 5 operators available for flights from California to South Africa as of February 2026.
How old do you have to be to fly from California to South Africa?
The minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, but airlines offering an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service may have their age restrictions, such as regulations concerning flight duration, timing, and stopovers. It is recommended that you verify with the airline you are booking with for travel from California to South Africa.
What documentation or ID do you need to fly to South Africa?
The required travel and health documents for your South Africa trip may vary depending on your itinerary and personal circumstances. As a general rule, you should carry multiple documents, including a national ID card or driver's licence and a passport valid for six months after your intended arrival at South Africa. We recommend that you seek guidance from your airline or a reliable third party such as IATA.

Best airlines flying from California to South Africa

Compare and see reviews for airlines that fly from California to South Africa with momondo

Airline	Rating	Free Cancellation	Price
Turkish Airlines	PriceFrom R15 574	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,3 4 227 reviews	Search Turkish Airlines flights
Cathay Pacific	PriceFrom R15 972	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,6 1 176 reviews	Search Cathay Pacific flights
United Airlines	PriceFrom R17 860	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,4 9 341 reviews	Search United Airlines flights
KLM	PriceFrom R18 103	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,7 1 457 reviews	Search KLM flights
British Airways	PriceFrom R18 403	Free Cancellation	Rating 6,7 7 757 reviews	Search British Airways flights

Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to find a flight deal from California to South Africa?

To find the flight that best suits your needs, momondo gathers a range of flights from a large pool of different airlines and agents; you can then use our insights and filters to find and book the right flight to South Africa from California.

Can I find flights from California to South Africa with flexible booking policies on momondo?

Yes. momondo allows you to filter the results for California to South Africa flights to just show those with flexible booking policies.

How can momondo help me find flights from California to South Africa?

Once all potential California to South Africa flight options are in front of you, momondo lets you sort and filter flights based on preferences such as airline, price and flight times amongst many other options.

I’m not ready to book a flight from California to South Africa right now. Can momondo alert me if prices change?

Of course. momondo tracks the price of California to South Africa flights. All you need is a valid email address and we will do the rest; it is that quick and easy.