Delta and United Airlines Seek to Optimize U.S.-South Africa Flight Operations for Seasonal Demand
In a strategic move to enhance their operations between the United States and South Africa, both Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have submitted applications to the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) aimed at adjusting their flight schedules to better align with seasonal demand. This initiative reflects the airlines' commitment to optimizing their services in response to evolving travel patterns.
Delta is proposing to shift two of its weekly frequencies from its daily Atlanta-Johannesburg route to its Atlanta-Cape Town route during the northern winter season. If granted approval, this adjustment would elevate Delta’s Atlanta-Cape Town service from three to five flights per week, effective from October 26, 2025, to March 28, 2026. Following the peak season, the two frequencies would revert to the daily Atlanta-Johannesburg schedule. Delta asserts that this change will enable the airline to cater to the heightened demand for travel to Cape Town during the southern hemisphere summer while maintaining overall service levels to South Africa. The additional flights to Cape Town would be operated using the airline's modern Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
On the other hand, United Airlines is also seeking to modify its South African service. Currently, the airline operates daily flights from Newark to Johannesburg and three weekly flights to Cape Town. United is requesting permission to transfer one of its Newark-Johannesburg flights to Cape Town on a year-round basis, which would increase its Newark-Cape Town service to four flights per week while reducing Newark-Johannesburg to six weekly flights. Additionally, United is looking to introduce a routing option that includes a stop in Cape Town for some Newark-Johannesburg flights, contingent on demand and operational conditions. This flexibility mirrors arrangements previously granted to Delta, allowing United to better serve its customers during peak travel times.
Both airlines emphasize that their proposals do not increase the total number of flights between the U.S. and South Africa; rather, they aim to redistribute existing frequencies to better match demand. The DOT has yet to make a decision on these requests, which could significantly impact travel options for passengers heading to South Africa.
United Airlines initiated its Newark-Johannesburg route in June 2021 and resumed its Newark-Cape Town service in December of the same year. Meanwhile, Delta launched its Atlanta-Cape Town service in December 2022, alongside an Atlanta-Johannesburg-Cape Town routing. This expansion of services comes at a time when travel between the U.S. and South Africa is on the rise.
According to data from Sabre Market Intelligence, the total two-way origin and destination traffic between the U.S. and South Africa reached approximately 836,400 passengers in 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of 6.8% and a 6.9% rise compared to 2019 levels. Notably, the New York-Cape Town route emerged as the largest city pair last year, followed closely by New York-Johannesburg and Atlanta-Johannesburg.
As both Delta and United Airlines navigate these operational adjustments, the focus remains on enhancing travel experiences for passengers while ensuring that service levels are maintained across their South African routes. The outcome of the DOT's decision will be closely watched by industry stakeholders, as it could pave the way for more tailored travel options between the U.S. and South Africa, ultimately benefiting travelers and the broader tourism sector.
