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 Johannesburg to Los Angeles takes 27h 55m on average. On the other hand, flying from Cape Town to Los Angeles takes 28h 35m 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.

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

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

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 34% 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.

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 December 2025, 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.

R10 134 Cheap Flights from South Africa to California in 2025/26

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Recent return flight deals from South Africa to California

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21:30 - 18:45

CPT

LAX

31h 15m1 stop

7:30 - 19:15

LAX

CPT

25h 45m1 stop

R14 561Virgin Atlantic

Tue, Jan 20 - Mon, Jan 26

21:30 - 19:49

CPT

SFO

32h 19m1 stop

11:47 - 19:15

SFO

CPT

21h 28m1 stop

R14 577Virgin Atlantic

Sun, Feb 1 - Sun, Feb 15

19:05 - 16:45

JNB

SFO

31h 40m1 stop

18:50 - 10:50

SFO

JNB

30h 00m1 stop

R15 359Turkish Airlines

Wed, Feb 11 - Wed, Feb 18

19:10 - 16:45

JNB

SFO

31h 35m1 stop

18:50 - 10:50

SFO

JNB

30h 00m1 stop

R15 676Turkish Airlines

Tue, Feb 10 - Tue, Feb 17

19:35 - 18:30

JNB

LAX

32h 55m2 stops

21:00 - 10:25

LAX

JNB

27h 25m1 stop

R15 892British Airways

Wed, Feb 11 - Wed, Feb 18

21:15 - 14:55

JNB

LAX

26h 40m1 stop

20:55 - 9:25

LAX

JNB

27h 30m1 stop

R16 241British Airways

Fri, May 1 - Tue, May 5

22:00 - 17:49

JNB

LAS

29h 49m2 stops

23:59 - 18:35

LAS

JNB

32h 36m2 stops

R16 275United Airlines

Tue, Feb 10 - Tue, Feb 17

20:50 - 13:34

CPT

SFO

26h 44m2 stops

5:10 - 18:00

SFO

CPT

26h 50m2 stops

R16 275United Airlines

Sun, Feb 1 - Sun, Feb 15

23:59 - 15:15

JNB

LAS

24h 16m1 stop

20:25 - 21:20

LAS

JNB

39h 55m1 stop

R16 524KLM

Wed, Mar 18 - Wed, May 20

7:55 - 14:25

CPT

SFO

39h 30m1 stop

13:45 - 21:25

SFO

CPT

22h 40m1 stop

R17 040KLM

Mon, Mar 16 - Wed, Apr 1

Virgin Atlantic flights from South Africa to California

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

Virgin Atlantic

Jan 20

CPT21:30Cape Town Intl

31h 15m

1 stop

LAX18:45Los Angeles

Jan 26

LAX7:30Los Angeles

25h 45m

1 stop

CPT19:15Cape Town Intl

R14 561

Find similar

Virgin Atlantic

Feb 1

CPT21:30Cape Town Intl

32h 19m

1 stop

SFO19:49San Francisco

Feb 15

SFO11:47San Francisco

21h 28m

1 stop

CPT19:15Cape Town Intl

R14 577

Find similar

Virgin Atlantic

Feb 11

CPT20:50Cape Town Intl

27h 45m

1 stop

LAX14:35Los Angeles

Feb 18

LAX12:20Los Angeles

20h 55m

1 stop

CPT19:15Cape Town Intl

R16 192

Find similar

American Airlines flights from South Africa to California

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

American Airlines

Feb 17

JNB19:35Johannesburg OR Tambo

30h 20m

2 stops

LAX15:55Los Angeles

Feb 24

LAX21:45Los Angeles

26h 40m

2 stops

JNB10:25Johannesburg OR Tambo

R15 493

Find similar

American Airlines

Jan 27

JNB19:35Johannesburg OR Tambo

31h 00m

2 stops

LAX16:35Los Angeles

Feb 3

LAX15:12Los Angeles

30h 23m

2 stops

JNB7:35Johannesburg OR Tambo

R15 875

Find similar

American Airlines

Feb 11

JNB19:35Johannesburg OR Tambo

34h 50m

1 stop

LAX20:25Los Angeles

Feb 18

LAX21:45Los Angeles

26h 40m

2 stops

JNB10:25Johannesburg OR Tambo

R15 992

Find similar

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cape TownLos Angeles

CPT - LAX

CPTLAX

Cape Town Intl

Tue 20/1

21:30-18:45

1 stop31h 15m

Los Angeles

Mon 26/1

7:30-19:15

1 stop25h 45m

R14 561

Cape TownSan Francisco

CPT - SFO

CPTSFO

Cape Town Intl

Sun 1/2

21:30-19:49

1 stop32h 19m

San Francisco

Sun 15/2

11:47-19:15

1 stop21h 28m

R14 577

JohannesburgSan Francisco

JNB - SFO

JNBSFO

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Wed 11/2

19:05-16:45

1 stop31h 40m

San Francisco

Wed 18/2

18:50-10:50

1 stop30h 00m

R15 359

JohannesburgSan Francisco

JNB - SFO

JNBSFO

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Tue 10/2

19:10-16:45

1 stop31h 35m

San Francisco

Tue 17/2

18:50-10:50

1 stop30h 00m

R15 676

JohannesburgLos Angeles

JNB - LAX

JNBLAX

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Wed 11/2

19:35-18:30

2 stops32h 55m

Los Angeles

Wed 18/2

21:00-10:25

1 stop27h 25m

R15 892

JohannesburgLos Angeles

JNB - LAX

JNBLAX

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Fri 1/5

21:15-14:55

1 stop26h 40m

Los Angeles

Tue 5/5

20:55-9:25

1 stop27h 30m

R16 241

JohannesburgLas Vegas

JNB - LAS

JNBLAS

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Tue 10/2

22:00-17:49

2 stops29h 49m

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Tue 17/2

23:59-18:35

2 stops32h 36m

R16 275

Cape TownSan Francisco

CPT - SFO

CPTSFO

Cape Town Intl

Sun 1/2

20:50-13:34

2 stops26h 44m

San Francisco

Sun 15/2

5:10-18:00

2 stops26h 50m

R16 275

JohannesburgLas Vegas

JNB - LAS

JNBLAS

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Wed 18/3

23:59-15:15

1 stop24h 16m

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Wed 20/5

20:25-21:20

1 stop39h 55m

R16 524

Cape TownSan Francisco

CPT - SFO

CPTSFO

Cape Town Intl

Mon 16/3

7:55-14:25

1 stop39h 30m

San Francisco

Wed 1/4

13:45-21:25

1 stop22h 40m

R17 040

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Showing 1-10 of 20 resultsSorted by cheapest first

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 676. 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 R16 341.

What is the cheapest time of day to depart on your flight to California?

Our most recent data shows that the best time of day to fly to California is in the morning. Flights from South Africa to California during this time can be as low as R15 683. If you have a flexible travel schedule, then try to avoid flying at midday when prices are R21 699 on average. Flights to California from South Africa at midday are generally more expensive because this time of day is more convenient for travellers’ schedules.

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 R17 534 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 657 on momondo.

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

You could potentially save up to 2% 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 16m
Direct flights	None

The fastest flight from South Africa to California takes 24h 16m

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 December 2025, 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 924	Free Cancellation	Rating 6,8 7 659 reviews	Search Lufthansa flights
SWISS	PriceFrom R13 688	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,5 1 832 reviews	Search SWISS flights
British Airways	PriceFrom R14 388	Free Cancellation	Rating 6,7 7 617 reviews	Search British Airways flights
American Airlines	PriceFrom R14 673	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,2 11 072 reviews	Search American Airlines flights
Virgin Atlantic	PriceFrom R14 779	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,5 677 reviews	Search Virgin Atlantic flights
United Airlines	PriceFrom R15 158	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,4 9 117 reviews	Search United Airlines flights
Air France	PriceFrom R15 242	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,4 1 516 reviews	Search Air France flights
Delta	PriceFrom R15 358	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,9 8 016 reviews	Search Delta flights
Turkish Airlines	PriceFrom R15 435	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,3 4 129 reviews	Search Turkish Airlines flights
KLM	PriceFrom R15 536	Free Cancellation	Rating 7,7 1 435 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.