How long is the flight from South Africa to California?

Flight times vary depending on what airport in South Africa you fly out of and what airport in California you fly into. For example, flying from Cape Town to Los Angeles takes 25h 25m on average. On the other hand, flying from Johannesburg to Los Angeles takes 26h 05m on average. Keep in mind that it’s always quicker to opt for a non-stop flight, so be sure to check momondo to see if there are any available for your route.

Which airlines fly to California?

Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines and British Airways are the top three most popular airlines that fly to California from South Africa according to our data. Virgin Atlantic is the first choice among our users, with 36% of people opting to fly with this airline when travelling to California. Keep in mind that there are 13 different airlines that fly to California on a routine basis, so you have a few additional options to choose from.

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

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

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

Prices for flights from South Africa to California refresh daily.

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

As of January 2026, there are 13 operators available to choose from for flights from South Africa to California.

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

The minimum age a child must be to fly alone is five but airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service will have their own age restrictions, including rules around flight length, timings, and stopovers. We always recommend checking with the individual airline you are booking with to travel from South Africa to California.

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to California?

The required travel and health documents for your California 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 California. We recommend that you seek guidance from your airline or a reliable third party such as IATA.

R9 785 Cheap Flights from South Africa to California in 2026

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Find the cheapest flights from South Africa to California

Round-trip

One-way

Last minute

Recent return flight deals from South Africa to California

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

9:25 - 16:35

CPT

LAX

41h 10m

1 stop

19:10 - 7:30

LAX

CPT

26h 20m

1 stop

R14 743SWISS

日, 2月 8 - 月, 2月 23

21:30 - 20:43

CPT

LAX

33h 13m

1 stop

8:25 - 19:15

LAX

CPT

24h 50m

1 stop

R14 840Virgin Atlantic

火, 2月 10 - 月, 2月 16

22:00 - 17:43

JNB

ONT

29h 43m

2 stops

13:53 - 18:35

ONT

JNB

42h 42m

2 stops

R14 921United Airlines

月, 2月 9 - 土, 2月 28

22:00 - 20:42

JNB

SNA

32h 42m

2 stops

9:00 - 18:35

SNA

JNB

23h 35m

2 stops

R14 921United Airlines

月, 2月 9 - 水, 2月 25

19:05 - 12:10

JNB

LAX

26h 05m

1 stop

20:10 - 10:30

LAX

JNB

29h 20m

1 stop

R15 034Turkish Airlines

水, 3月 18 - 月, 3月 30

17:50 - 11:40

JNB

LAX

26h 50m

1 stop

20:10 - 10:30

LAX

JNB

29h 20m

1 stop

R15 148Turkish Airlines

火, 4月 21 - 火, 4月 28

22:00 - 15:50

JNB

LAX

27h 50m

1 stop

20:30 - 7:35

LAX

JNB

26h 05m

1 stop

R15 164British Airways

日, 3月 1 - 日, 3月 15

19:35 - 21:24

JNB

ONT

35h 49m

2 stops

6:00 - 10:25

ONT

JNB

42h 25m

2 stops

R16 654British Airways

土, 2月 14 - 土, 2月 28

23:15 - 11:45

CPT

SFO

45h 30m

1 stop

11:00 - 21:25

SFO

CPT

25h 25m

2 stops

R19 165KLM

月, 4月 13 - 木, 4月 30

23:15 - 16:15

CPT

SJC

50h 00m

2 stops

13:50 - 21:25

SJC

CPT

46h 35m

2 stops

R22 146KLM

日, 6月 28 - 木, 8月 6

KLM flights from South Africa to California

Our best KLM deals on South Africa to California flight tickets

KLM

Mar 15

CPT7:55Cape Town Intl

39h 15m

1 stop

LAX14:10Los Angeles

Mar 31

LAX16:45Los Angeles

43h 40m

1 stop

CPT21:25Cape Town Intl

R16 314

KLM

Mar 15

CPT7:55Cape Town Intl

39h 15m

1 stop

LAX14:10Los Angeles

Mar 31

LAX10:40Los Angeles

25h 45m

2 stops

CPT21:25Cape Town Intl

R16 379

KLM

Apr 23

CPT23:15Cape Town Intl

24h 30m

1 stop

LAX14:45Los Angeles

May 11

LAX13:50Los Angeles

22h 35m

1 stop

CPT21:25Cape Town Intl

R17 578

American Airlines flights from South Africa to California

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

American Airlines

Feb 11

JNB22:00Johannesburg OR Tambo

27h 20m

1 stop

LAX15:20Los Angeles

Feb 25

LAX21:45Los Angeles

26h 40m

2 stops

JNB10:25Johannesburg OR Tambo

R15 002

American Airlines

Mar 8

JNB19:35Johannesburg OR Tambo

29h 25m

1 stop

SFO16:00San Francisco

Mar 15

SFO21:55San Francisco

27h 30m

2 stops

JNB10:25Johannesburg OR Tambo

R15 196

American Airlines

Mar 8

JNB19:35Johannesburg OR Tambo

31h 55m

2 stops

SFO18:30San Francisco

Mar 15

SFO16:59San Francisco

29h 36m

2 stops

JNB7:35Johannesburg OR Tambo

R15 358

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cape TownLos Angeles

CPT - LAX

CPTLAX

Cape Town Intl

日 8/2

9:25-16:35

1 stop41h 10m

Los Angeles

月 23/2

19:10-7:30

1 stop26h 20m

R14 743

Cape TownLos Angeles

CPT - LAX

CPTLAX

Cape Town Intl

火 10/2

21:30-20:43

1 stop33h 13m

Los Angeles

月 16/2

8:25-19:15

1 stop24h 50m

R14 840

JohannesburgOntario

JNB - ONT

JNBONT

Johannesburg OR Tambo

月 9/2

22:00-17:43

2 stops29h 43m

Ontario

土 28/2

13:53-18:35

2 stops42h 42m

R14 921

JohannesburgSanta Ana

JNB - SNA

JNBSNA

Johannesburg OR Tambo

月 9/2

22:00-20:42

2 stops32h 42m

Santa Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty

水 25/2

9:00-18:35

2 stops23h 35m

R14 921

JohannesburgLos Angeles

JNB - LAX

JNBLAX

Johannesburg OR Tambo

水 18/3

19:05-12:10

1 stop26h 05m

Los Angeles

月 30/3

20:10-10:30

1 stop29h 20m

R15 034

JohannesburgLos Angeles

JNB - LAX

JNBLAX

Johannesburg OR Tambo

火 21/4

17:50-11:40

1 stop26h 50m

Los Angeles

火 28/4

20:10-10:30

1 stop29h 20m

R15 148

JohannesburgLos Angeles

JNB - LAX

JNBLAX

Johannesburg OR Tambo

日 1/3

22:00-15:50

1 stop27h 50m

Los Angeles

日 15/3

20:30-7:35

1 stop26h 05m

R15 164

JohannesburgOntario

JNB - ONT

JNBONT

Johannesburg OR Tambo

土 14/2

19:35-21:24

2 stops35h 49m

Ontario

土 28/2

6:00-10:25

2 stops42h 25m

R16 654

Cape TownSan Francisco

CPT - SFO

CPTSFO

Cape Town Intl

月 13/4

23:15-11:45

1 stop45h 30m

San Francisco

木 30/4

11:00-21:25

2 stops25h 25m

R19 165

Cape TownSan Jose

CPT - SJC

CPTSJC

Cape Town Intl

日 28/6

23:15-16:15

2 stops50h 00m

San Jose

木 6/8

13:50-21:25

2 stops46h 35m

R22 146

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

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 California?

The month of February is, on average, the cheapest month to fly to California from South Africa, with most prices found around R15 553. If you’re not able to fly to California in February, then September is your next best option. Flight prices from South Africa to California during September average around R15 860.

How far in advance should I book a flight to California?

You are more likely to see cheaper flights to California from South Africa when booking weeks ahead of your departure date. In general, you can expect to find flights to California for around R16 971 when searching weeks before you fly. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to California from South Africa for as low as R16 184 on momondo.

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

You could potentially save up to 1% on your flight if you consider stops on a South Africa to California flight.

Cheap South Africa to California flight deals and tips

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

Fastest flight time	24h 01m
Direct flights	None

The fastest flight from South Africa to California takes 24h 01m

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

Search flight deals

When did momondo last update prices for flights from South Africa to California?
Prices for flights from South Africa to California refresh daily.
How many operators does momondo search for flights from South Africa to California?
As of January 2026, there are 13 operators available to choose from for flights from South Africa to California.
How old do you have to be to fly from South Africa to California?
The minimum age a child must be to fly alone is five but airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service will have their own age restrictions, including rules around flight length, timings, and stopovers. We always recommend checking with the individual airline you are booking with to travel from South Africa to California.
What documentation or ID do you need to fly to California?
The required travel and health documents for your California 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 California. We recommend that you seek guidance from your airline or a reliable third party such as IATA.

Best airlines flying from South Africa to California

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

Airline	Rating	Free Cancellation	Price
Lufthansa	PriceFrom R10 635	Free Cancellation	Rating 6,8 7 744 reviews	Search Lufthansa flights
SWISS	PriceFrom R13 326	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,5 1 856 reviews	Search SWISS flights
American Airlines	PriceFrom R13 884	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,2 11 182 reviews	Search American Airlines flights
British Airways	PriceFrom R14 008	Free Cancellation	Rating 6,7 7 690 reviews	Search British Airways flights
Virgin Atlantic	PriceFrom R14 293	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,5 678 reviews	Search Virgin Atlantic flights
United Airlines	PriceFrom R14 757	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,4 9 194 reviews	Search United Airlines flights
Air France	PriceFrom R14 866	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,4 1 523 reviews	Search Air France flights
Delta	PriceFrom R14 952	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,9 8 096 reviews	Search Delta flights
Turkish Airlines	PriceFrom R14 998	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,3 4 204 reviews	Search Turkish Airlines flights
KLM	PriceFrom R15 125	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,7 1 442 reviews	Search KLM flights

Why use momondo?

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

We help find the flight that best suits your needs, momondo compares prices from hundreds of airlines and travel agents and helps you filter them to find the best flight from South Africa to California for you.

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

momondo does allow users to show only those flights to California from South Africa which offer a flexible booking policy as well as other useful filters and features.

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

momondo offers useful filters to help you find the right flight. Choose specific flight times, airports or even what payment method you prefer. We have numerous options to help you book your ideal flight from South Africa to California.

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

If you are not ready to book a flight from South Africa to California now, use our insights above to find helpful tips or alternatively set up a price alert, where momondo will track prices on flights to California and let you know when they change.