Alphabet Travel

27/10/2022

PRINCESS CRUISES REMOVES COVID REQUIREMENTS:
Princess Cruises has withdrawn all COVID vaccination and testing requirements for most of its sailings, effective October 21.

The cruise line recently updated the Cruise Health portal on its website to say that all guests were welcome, regardless of vaccination status. The changes apply to all itineraries, except where government regulations may vary and on a few ‘enhanced guidelines voyages’ that have their own vaccination and testing requirements.

According to the enhanced protocols, travellers 18 years and older must be fully vaccinated and have received one booster dose if their final dose had been administered five months or more beforehand, while those under 18 need not be vaccinated. Travellers who are five years and older must take a medically observed COVID test within three days prior to embarkation.

Itineraries where the changes do not apply include those to Australia and New Zealand. Those countries require travellers aged 12 to 17 to be fully vaccinated without a booster, while those aged 18 and above must be fully vaccinated, including one booster dose, if eligible. Travellers aged two years and older must also present a negative test result taken within 48 hours prior to embarkation.

Princess Cruises is represented by Discover the World Marketing in South Africa.

27/10/2022

MADAGASCAR EXTENDS SA FLIGHT BAN:
The Malagasy government has announced the indefinite extension of its ban on South African flights. The ban, which was implemented earlier this year, was extended on October 15.

There were signs of hope that the ban would be removed in June when it was reported that Madagascar’s Foreign Minister told SA President Cyril Ramaphosa that the government would soon allow South African flights to resume. However, this did not materialise.

Delta goes daily from Cape Town to Atlanta
According to the NOTAM, the ban applies to all flights to and from South Africa, not just those operated by South African entities. Airlink is among those that cannot operate Madagascar services.

The route is one of Airlink’s most profitable, and there is no indication that it will be resumed any time soon as the court case over allegedly smuggled gold shows no signs of being finalised, according to Daily Maverick.

Airlink’s agents in Madagascar had reportedly already been told last week by the Madagascan civil aviation authority that the ban would not be lifted until South Africa returned the 73,5kg of gold and the three Malagasy couriers.

CEO and MD of Airlink, Rodger Foster, expressed his disappointment to Travel News regarding the extension. "Airlink’s plans to resume flights to Antananarivo and Nosy Be have again been frustrated and delayed by the extension of Madagascar’s ban on flights from and to South Africa,” said Foster.

“It obliges our customers to incur far higher costs and make circuitous journeys via intermediate cities when travelling to or from Madagascar. It is not good for them or for Madagascar-South Africa trade, commerce, or tourism. We appeal to both governments to step up their efforts to resolve the impasse and allow Airlink and all other innocent bystanders to go about their business without being caught up in their diplomatic cross-fire.”

27/10/2022

OIL CRISIS DIMS CHRISTMAS CHEER:
As Europe battles an energy crisis in the face of ongoing climate change and soaring energy bills, the UK could be heading for a ban on domestic commercial flights where travellers could travel by train instead. The move would be intended to slash the nation’s carbon emissions from aviation by 53%.

This is according to a report from the Intergenerational Foundation, Trains over Planes: why the government should encourage domestic train travel, which claims that domestic aviation was responsible for emitting 2,7 megatonnes of CO2 and equivalents in 2019. The organisation claims that 62% of emissions as a result of UK domestic flights were between destinations already linked by rail networks.

The foundation is calling for the UK Government to ban domestic flights to encourage rail travel, encourage up to a 33% decrease in carbon emissions from all domestic flights, and directly urge travellers to choose the train while increasing capacity on rail routes.

“We are all aware of the risks posed by climate change, and reducing domestic flights is one way in which we can significantly reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. Banning domestic flights with a viable alternative by train would be a faster route to our nett zero targets and a small but important contribution to protecting future generations from the effects of climate change,” says Co-Founder, Angus Hanton.

Xmas lights off?
Elsewhere in Europe, other countries are taking measures to reduce their own emissions outside of aviation.

Deutsche Umwelthilfe, a non-profit environmental and consumer protection association, is calling on the German Government to turn off the lights at Christmas markets that are popular tourist attractions around the country each festive season.

"We are not calling for Christmas markets to be cancelled," Jürgen Resch, DUH Federal MD, tells Euronews. "These can and should also be able to take place this year. But a festive mood does not include or**es of light and illumination as in earlier years."

Germany has already made strides to save energy in the coming months, encouraging local businesses to decrease room temperatures in their establishments and switching off lights at other attractions like the Brandenburg Gate.

"In Switzerland, several department store chains have decided to do without special Christmas lighting for their buildings – an example for Germany as well,” Resch adds.

Similarly, in Spain, Alicante Mayor Luis Barcala has proposed that citizens of the city turn off one-fifth of its Christmas lights this year to conserve energy.

The Eiffel Tower is set to dim its 20 000 lightbulbs earlier than usual this year for the same reason. Normally, the international attraction is illuminated until 01h00 each morning, but the new proposal will see the tower go dark at 23h45 each night, according to The Guardian.

Jean-François Martins, Head of the tower’s management, says: “It’s a highly symbolic gesture – part of the growing awareness around energy sobriety.”

27/10/2022

DURBAN-LUANDA FLIGHTS START NOVEMBER:

Angolan carrier TAAG has announced it will begin flights between its home base Luanda and Durban from November 17.

The thrice-weekly flights are scheduled to depart Luanda on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The aircraft to be used is a B737-700, configured in two classes – business and economy.

The airline announced it would also commence flights to Accra from November 9. These will depart from Luanda on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The same aircraft type will be used on that route.

14/10/2022

*You’ll now need a travel pass before departing or entering South Africa* 🇿🇦

Sars said the new travel pass is supposed to simplify passenger movement at South African airports throughout the country

South Africans will soon have to obtain a travel pass before they depart or enter the country after an international trip.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced that the country will be introducing a new online traveller declaration system from November 2022 with OR Tambo International the first airport to implement it.

Passenger movement

Sars said the new system is to simplify passenger movement at South African airports throughout the country.

According to Sars, the new system requires all travellers, including South African citizens and residents, children and infants, leaving or entering South Africa by air to complete and submit an online traveller declaration, as well as receive a traveller pass before they travel.

Collection of travel information

Sars said the new traveller declaration process is an online system that collects travel information and returns a traveller pass via email.

“Upon arrival in South Africa, there will be instructions at the airports that will guide and inform travellers what to do next.”
“The new online South African Traveller Declaration system will be rolled out to all South African international airports commencing with OR Tambo International Airport in November 2022,” Sars said.
Sars added the new online South African Traveller Declaration system will be added by other international airports in the first quarter of 2023.

As per:

Sars said the new travel pass is supposed to simplify passenger movement at South African airports throughout the country

03/10/2022

PREMIER LEAGUE TROPHY EVENT IN CAPE TOWN:
The 2021/2022 Premier League champions, Manchester City, will bring their Premier League winning trophy to Central Park, Cape Town on October 16.

The trophy will be accompanied by City legend Joleon Lescott, as part of the club’s Global Trophy Tour.

Fans at the Central Park festival will enjoy a live screening of Manchester City’s game against Liverpool, and will also have the opportunity to create a 360 degree video with the real Premier League trophy, stand a chance to become a part of their dream 5-a-side team in augmented reality, and meet the club’s mascot Moonchester. There is also a signed shirt to be won.

The festival will be open to all fans on a first come first served basis from 10h00 to 15h30.

The event will include the chance for 5-12 year olds to take part in coaching clinics with Manchester City coaches (participation via sign up at the event on the day).

The screening of the game will start 16h00 and have limited capacity, so fans must register here to secure their space for this part of the day.

The full line-up of events on the day is as follows:

10h00: Event and all activities open – first come first served entry.

10h10: Football clinics start (sign up on day, 5-12 year olds).

15h00: Q&A with Joleon Lescott.

15h00: Football clinics finish.

16h00: Screening event starts – pre-registration needed - wristband will be required.

16h30: Q&A and pre-match analysis with Joleon Lescott.

17h30: Liverpool v Manchester City kick off.

19h15: Full time and event closes.

The trophy and Joleon will also be visiting Totalsports, Canal Walk Mall, between 16h00 and 18h00 on October 15 for photos and signing.

03/10/2022

QATAR - VISAS FOR WORLD CUP TOURISTS ONLY:
As the host country for the 2022 Fifa World Cup, Qatar is closing its borders from November 1 to December 23, report Qatari press.

All land, sea and air borders will be shut to anyone not holding the Hayya Card – the fan ID issued by the government to anyone attending matches during the World Cup.

Hayya cardholders can enter the country from November 1 until December 23, said Brigadier Abdullah Khalifa Al Muftah, Director of Public Relations Department and Head of the Media Unit, World Cup Safety and Security Committee. Once they’ve entered, they can stay in the country until January 23, 2023.

The card is the only means for foreign visitors to enter the country during the build-up, duration and wind-down after the World Cup, which runs from November 20 to December 18. Cardholders are also permitted to bring up to three non-ticketed fans with them, who can then be linked to their cards.

The closure will not affect Qatari citizens and residents, GCC citizens holding a Qatari ID card, or anyone with a personal or work visa.

Fifa has already sold 2,45 million of the three million tickets available for the event. Although borders will be closed to non-soccer fans, hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected in nearby cities such as Dubai, which is building fan zones to accommodate them.

03/10/2022

CANADA OFFICIALLY REMOVES COVID-RELATED ENTRY REGULATIONS:

The Government of Canada has announced that it will remove all COVID-related entry restrictions from the beginning of October.

As of October 1, travellers will no longer have to submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website, provide proof of vaccination, or undergo pre- or on-arrival testing. COVID-related quarantine or isolation will be discontinued.

Transport Canada will remove its COVID requirements from the same date. Travellers will not need to undergo health checks for travel by air and rail or wear masks on aircraft and trains.

Cruise measures will also be lifted, with travellers no longer having to take a pre-boarding test, be vaccinated, or use ArriveCAN. However, certain guidelines, which will align with the approach used in the United States, will remain in place to protect passengers and crew.

03/10/2022

QATAR AND BRITISH AIRWAYS VENTURE FORMS MASSIVE NETWORK:

Qatar Airways and British Airways say the latest expansion of their partnership offers global connectivity between more countries than any other joint airline business.

Their partnership ensures access to more cities around the world than ever before, supporting global trade, tourism, investment, and cultural connection.

The two airlines have added 42 new countries to their shared network, including Italy, the Maldives, Norway, Singapore and Sweden, giving passengers greater access between Europe and the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Oceania.

This gives customers added choices in prices and schedules, with options for direct flights as well as connections via hubs in London and Doha.

The development will enable seamless connecting journeys on single tickets through Doha and London, bringing the total number of destinations the two airlines serve to 185 across 69 countries.

Customers can now access both airlines’ exclusive lounges and have more freedom while engaging with both airlines’ loyalty programmes, earning and spending Avios, their common currency. Qatar Airways Privilege Club and British Airways Executive Club accounts can be linked to transfer Avios between the two, and combine balances to claim rewards offered by each programme.

Co-operation on a small number of routes remains subject to pending regulatory clearances.

26/09/2022

UK RAIL STRIKES RESUME:
Strikes by railway workers across England, Scotland and Wales are set to resume next month, as long-running disputes over pay, jobs, and working conditions continue. The strikes could bring UK rail travel to a dead halt.

Planned strike action was set to take place on September 15 and 17, but was called off due to the death and subsequent mourning period for Queen Elizabeth II. New dates for the strikes have now been announced.

Members of the driver’s union, Aslef, will walk out on October 1 and 5, and Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) members will strike for 24 hours on October 1, reports the Belfast Telegraph.

The RMT has said that the walk-out will bring railways to an effective standstill.

It is understood that hundreds of members of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association will also strike on October 1, although the services that will be affected have not yet been confirmed, according to the Telegraph.

Train operators affected by the RMT walk-out include Chiltern Railways, Cross Country Trains, Greater Anglia, LNER, East Midlands Railway, c2c, Great Western Railway, Northern Trains, South Eastern, South Western, Transpennine Express, Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains, and GTR (including Gatwick Express as well as Network Rail).

Train companies affected by Aslef members striking are Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, Greater Anglia, Great Western Railway, Hull Trains, LNER, London Overground, Northern Trains, Southeastern, TransPennine Express, and West Midlands Trains.

Multiple strikes have been seen over the ‘summer of solidarity’, which is set to continue into autumn and winter should the union’s demands not be met.

More London Underground disruption is likely to occur in the remainder of this year, as a pay row between Transport for London (TfL) and union RMT continues. The RMT warned in August that more Tube strikes could take place due to concerns over workers’ pay and pensions.

20/09/2022

EASIER ENTRY REGULATIONS FOR BRAZIL:
Brazil has eased its entry regulations to allow unvaccinated travellers to visit, as long as they can show proof of a negative rapid antigen or PCR test obtained at least 24 hours before departure.

The proof of vaccination or test must be presented before boarding, to the airline responsible for the flight. If entry is by land, documents must be presented at the land control point or to those responsible for international road and rail passenger transport services.

Children under 12 years old are exempt from presenting proof of vaccination or tests.

Previously, since April 1, fully vaccinated Brazilian and foreign nationals could enter the country if they had proof that they had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days before departure.

20/09/2022

MORE SEATS FROM CAPE TOWN THIS SUMMER:
Wesgro, the Western Cape trade, tourism and investment development agency, has calculated that 1,5m two-way seats will be available in Cape Town from various airlines between November 2022 and March 2023. This will take the total number of available seats to 93% of 2019 levels.

The injection of seats is a major relief to trade partners servicing inbound and outbound bookings.

Wesgro said it could not comment on current airline negotiations. However, non-stop routes that have been announced for Cape Town for the upcoming season include Condor Airlines’ service to Frankfurt, Edelweiss to Zurich, Air France to Paris, Lufthansa to Munich and Air Mauritius to Port Louis.

“Throughout the past year, Cape Town Air Access has concentrated mainly on making sure all pre-pandemic airlines and routes return to service, evidenced by seat capacity approaching 2019 levels from November 2022 onwards. We also still have a big focus on obtaining routes to our top unserved destinations. These include West Africa, South America and Australasia,” Wesgro said.

It stressed that air connectivity helped to improve the competitiveness of a destination as a business hub.

Looking at average load factors and using average tourism spend of incoming passengers as per South African Tourism’s figures in 2020, Wesgro calculated that direct tourism spend would equate to more than R6,7bn between March 2022 and March 2023.

Drawing a comparison between summer 2022/23 and pre-COVID times, Wesgro reported that capacity for the upcoming season would reach over 90% of pre-COVID levels, while year-to-date, the international capacity recovery achieved was 64% of pre-pandemic levels.

Outbound sales boost
Outbound trade partners have bemoaned the lack of available seat capacity on popular outbound tourist routes for months and say the current high airfares are due to the market’s lack of supply.

Rachael Penaluna, owner of Sure Maritime Travel in Port Elizabeth, said: “There is a desperate need for international flights. You can’t get a seat to the UK in December!”

Marcel von Aulock, Southern Sun CEO, was also expecting that the influx of seasonal capacity would help to bring down airfares.

Where to look
Some of the extra capacity coming to South Africa over the coming months includes:

TAAG Angola Airlines, which recently launched a route to Madrid and will return to Cuba in November, will fly six times a week between Cape Town and Luanda from October, increasing from five weekly flights. The airline also has a daily service out of Johannesburg.

From November 17, United Airlines will add three non-stop weekly flights between Washington and CPT. The airline’s New York/Newark-CPT service was also expanded to a year-round service earlier this year.

Another US carrier, Delta Air Lines is expanding its South African network with a new seasonal triangular route Atlanta-Johannesburg-Cape Town-Atlanta starting December 2, 2022. The service will operate four times per week. This will complement Delta’s nonstop service from Cape Town to Atlanta. Delta’s Cape Town-Atlanta, non-stop, thrice-weekly route will commence on December 17. This will mean both CPT and JNB are serviced with daily flights by the end of this year.

Dr André Schulz, Lufthansa Group GM for Southern & East Africa, said the group’s timetable had been optimised for the coming season. Services include the daily flights between Frankfurt and JNB by Lufthansa, and daily flights between Zurich and JNB by SWISS. LH will scale back its CPT service from five to three weekly flights and bring back seven weekly flights between CPT and Munich.

Edelweiss will connect CPT and Zurich with three weekly flights over the season and, commencing November 15, Eurowings Discover will fly into Mbombela, Kruger National Park, with a short stopover in Windhoek, three times per week.

Connecting South Africa with Amsterdam, KLM is getting ready to mark 30 years of service to CPT on October 27, 2022. The airline will introduce three extra weekly flights to Cape Town from November 1. Air France will return to CPT with three weekly flights to Paris from October 30.

British Airways will supplement its London Heathrow schedule with flights between Cape Town and Gatwick over the European winter/SA summer. The seasonal service will operate three times per week, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. BA’s Cape Town-London Heathrow service will operate twice daily for the season.

Virgin Atlantic will add more seats to the UK over the festive season with flights between LHR and CPT due to resume from November 5. The airline has said it hopes to transform the service to year-round flights within the coming two years (see the Travel News report here)

Another European player, Air Belgium’s recent arrival in SA will provide even more vital airlift from SA into the future. The carrier has just launched a new service from Brussels, scheduled to operate every Wednesday and Sunday, landing in Johannesburg the next day before continuing on to Cape Town. The return service operates on Mondays and Thursdays. Air Belgium’s Airbus A330 on the route has 30 seats in business class, 21 in premium economy and 235 in economy class.

20/09/2022

AIRLINK IS BACK TO RICHARDS BAY:
After a 20-month gap, Airlink has resumed its scheduled services between Johannesburg and Richards Bay. The first flight touched down at the coastal town’s airport on Monday morning, September 19.

The reinstatement of the airline’s daily flights came after a 20-month hiatus, while Richards Bay Airport remedied its resources to accommodate scheduled airline operations in compliance with international-standard civil aviation safety requirements.

“Richards Bay plays a crucial role in KZN’s industrial and trade mix and Airlink’s flights connect the coal terminus town and the businesses it hosts to other markets and economic centres. By doing so, Airlink is enhancing Richard Bay’s competitiveness and its attractiveness as a modern, efficient industrial destination for trade, investment and job creation. We have looked forward to welcoming Richards Bay customers back on board and, with the necessary support and service from Airports Company South Africa, the City of uMhlathuze and the Provincial Government, we will be able to play our part in developing the local economy,” said Airlink CEO and MD, Rodger Foster.

With the resumption of flights on the route, Airlink is re-connecting Richards Bay with Airlink’s expansive network of domestic and regional destinations as well as those around the world through Airlink’s global airline partners.

Services begin with the airline operating its 29-seat Jetstream 41 turboprop airliners on the flight, with a view to using larger jets once sufficient traffic volumes have been achieved on the route.

20/09/2022

SA-BELGIUM ROUTE REOPENS:
The first direct air link for more than 20 years between South Africa and Belgium is expected to not only stimulate tourism and investment between the two countries but also forge new gateways into the greater European and African single markets.

Air Belgium’s inaugural Airbus A330neo flight to South Africa touched down to a water cannon salute at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday (September 15) after an 11,5-hour flight from Brussels. In the new year-round schedule, flights depart Brussels on Wednesdays and Sundays at 19h45 and land in Johannesburg at 07h15 the following day, before continuing on to Cape Town, touching down at 11h00. On Mondays and Thursdays, the return flights depart Cape Town at 16h00, and then leave Johannesburg at 19h45.

With the aircraft’s carrying capacity of 276 passengers (30 seats in business class, 21 in premium economy and 235 in economy), the new flights add more than 28 000 seats annually.

“South Africa has historically been a major tourist destination for Belgium. There are also over 5 700 Belgians living and working in South Africa and it is significant as a market for us. We’re thrilled to introduce South Africans to a new airline and an alternative route – and thereby direct access to the heart of Europe,” said Air Belgium CEO, Niky Terzakis.

Air Belgium has also partnered with Airlink to provide connecting flights to 16 domestic destinations and 24 regional destinations on the African continent.

“In addition, with Brussels’ central positioning and connectivity to the rest of Europe through air connections and efficient public transport systems, we are excited for the new opportunities for continental travel on both sides,” said Terzakis.

Belgium is currently South Africa’s sixth-largest trading partner as well as the Western Cape’s seventh-largest European export market, and an important European source market.

17/08/2022

Too beautiful!!

17/08/2022

MAURITIUS - Fabulous specials!!
Contact me directly for bookings.

09/08/2022

VICTORIA FALLS OVERDEVELOPMENT THREAT:
Concerns have been raised about possible overdevelopment in and around the Victoria Falls, a Unesco World Heritage Site, that could put the area’s environmental stability at risk.

This follows news by the Victoria Falls City Council that the development of a US$50 million (R841 million) hotel is to go ahead. Construction was on hold during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hotel site is close to the iconic Victoria Falls and situated between the Zambezi River Lodge and the new Palm River Lodge.

The project is a partnership between the Victoria Falls City Council and project promoter, Lamcent Capital, a Harare equity investment company.

Construction is expected to start soon, although an opening date has yet to be announced.

Victoria Falls City Council Town Clerk, Ronnie Dube, was quoted by state-owned newspaper, The Herald, saying that a multinational hospitality company would be appointed to manage the hotel.

He said the development was a “legitimate arrangement with Cabinet approval”. He defended the development, noting that it would bring jobs and revenue to the city.

Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe President, Wengayi Nhau, was also cited in The Herald welcoming the hotel as a “positive development” for Zimbabwe’s tourism industry.

The development has met with criticism from local conservationists who have concerns that the numerous developments in Victoria Falls are eroding the wild spaces that are a large part of the attraction of this World Heritage Site.
More developments on the cards

The Zambezi Society has expressed similar concerns, noting on its website: “We have, on previous occasions, called for a moratorium on all development in the area until proper planning mechanisms have been put in place. We will do so again.”

The Zambezi Society pointed out that there were other developments of concern, including that ground clearance was currently taking place on the banks of the Zambezi River just upstream of Devil's Cataract for a restaurant to be built adjacent to the fenced edge of the Rainforest.

Furthermore, according to them, investors are being sought for several developments within national park land close to Victoria Falls, including a restaurant and jetty on a 13,5 ha island on the Zambezi River.

Petition started

Local resident and renowned artist, Larry Norton, has started a petition to “stop the commercialization of Cataract Island and surrounding majestic wild areas (Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe)”.

In his change.org petition, Norton writes: “As Victoria Falls expands as a city, growth and development opportunities are natural and important. However, it is equally important and imperative for these developments to be balanced against the erosion of wild spaces which are the very attraction of this World Heritage Site, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

“The absolute protection of this natural phenomenon and the unspoilt surrounding area is urgently needed.”

At the time of publication, close to 12 000 signatures had been garnered. Norton hopes to gather 15 000 signatures in total.

This petition is an appeal to the ZPWMA, Zimbabwean Government, City Council authorities to:

Stop commercialisation of the pristine Cataract Island

Stop another company from constructing a restaurant in unspoiled riverine bush, 55 metres from the Rainforest boundary.

09/08/2022

UNITED AIRLIBES STARTS CAPE TOWN - WASHINGTON ROUTE NOVEMBER 17:
United Airlines yesterday started selling tickets for new direct flights between Washington Dulles Airport and Cape Town, becoming the first airline to provide nonstop roundtrip service from the US capital to South Africa. The US Department of Transportation granted the airline three weekly direct flights, which will commence on November 17, 2022. This is still subject to approval by the South African government, but Travel News understands this is a formality.

United started a seasonal service from New York/Newark to Cape Town in 2019 and expanded to year-round service in 2022. The airline has more flights to South Africa than any other North American carrier.

"We are thrilled to further expand our Africa offering with this first-ever direct link between Washington DC and Cape Town," said Patrick Quayle, United's Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances. "These new flights build upon our existing year-round New York/Newark to Cape Town service. Together they'll provide a near-daily pattern from the US to Cape Town along with connectivity to the broader region through our Airlink partnership."

United will soon offer a total of 19 weekly flights to Africa. In addition to these new flights to Cape Town, the airline launched nonstop flights from New York/Newark to Johannesburg, and Washington DC to Accra, Ghana, and Lagos, Nigeria, in 2021.

Prior to the new United flight, Washington DC to Cape Town was a route in which the airline saw a lot of potential, but lacking a nonstop service. According to United, DC is also home to a large South African-born population. United's new flights will connect Cape Town to 55 US cities, representing more than 92% of the US travel demand. The new flights will also allow customers to connect in Cape Town to other points in South Africa, and to other countries in the southern region of the African continent with United's South African-based partner Airlink and its Cape Town hub.

United will operate a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on the new route.