Cape Town wins big as Delta Air Lines and United Airlines get ready to launch flights to the coastal city.

Cape Town is the big winner as Delta Air Lines (DL) and United Airlines (UA) will have to share the spoils as they have each been approved to operate just 3 weekly flights to Cape Town.

Delta Air Lines

Currently, Delta Air Lines has approval to operate a triangular route from Atlanta to Johannesburg to Cape Town then back to Atlanta. The route is operated using their flagship A350-900.

With recent approvals, DL will launch direct flights between its hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in November. The flights will be operated 3 times weekly onboard the A350 and will run concurrently with the triangular flights which operate via Johannesburg.

United Airlines

United Airlines (UA) currently offers daily direct flights between New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport and O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The New York/Newark and Johannesburg fliights are operated using the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

With the approval of the Washington DC to Cape Town route, UA will introduce the direct flights in November on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, operating 3 weekly flights.