Planning the fastest and most affordable travel routes and flights can often prove challenging depending on where you may be flying to or from. As Africa’s biggest airport, O.R Tambo International is the preferred choice for international flights to South Africa and even for those travelling nationally on domestic flights to or from Johannesburg. Managing travel to and from 93 destinations across the globe on 41 different airlines, you are sure to find the best flights to suit your schedule and budget at O.R Tambo International Airport.
It is advised that before booking your flight, you ensure that you have an idea of the international flight routes from Johannesburg airport so that you are aware of any important details surrounding the scheduling and cost of your flights. You may find that you are lucky enough to book direct flights to or from Johannesburg or you may find yourself having to make use of flights connecting through Johannesburg Airport. Either way, here is a user-friendly guide to understanding the typical flight routes, particularly for international flights to South Africa.
Domestic Flight Routes
While Johannesburg may have 2 airports connecting major cities across the country, O.R Tambo International Airport is often the travellers choice when it comes to booking and catching flights to and from Johannesburg.
You can catch direct domestic flights to any one of these major cities:
| Cape Town (Western Cape) | George (Western Cape) | Plettenburg Bay (Western Cape) |
| Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha (Eastern Cape) | East London (Eastern Cape) | Mthatha (Eastern Cape) |
| Margate (Kwa-Zulu Natal) | Durban (Kwa-Zulu Natal) | Pietermaritzburg (Eastern Cape) |
| Bloemfontein (Free State) | Kimberly (Northern Cape) | Sishen (Northern Cape) |
| Upington (Northern Cape) | Richards Bay (Kwa-Zulu Natal) | Pilanesberg (North-West) |
| Nelspruit (Mpumalanga) | Skukuza (Mpumalanga) | Hoedspruit (Limpopo) |
| Lephalale (Limpopo) | Phalaborwa (Limpopo) | Polokwane (Limpopo) |
Regional Flight Routes
As the hub of economic activity on the continent and in Sub-Saharan Africa, O.R Tambo International Airport acts as a gateway to Africa, connecting the leading emerging economy to the rest of the continent.
You can catch direct regional flights to any one of these major cities:
| Maseru (Lesotho) | Manzini (Swaziland) | Walvis Bay (Namibia) |
| Windhoek (Namibia) | Gaborone (Botswana) | Maputo (Mozambique) |
| Vilankulos (Mozambique) | Nosy Be (Madagascar) | Entebbe (Uganda) |
| Nairobi (Kenya) | Kigali (Rwanda) | Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) |
| Pointe-Noire (Republic of Congo) | Brazzaville (Republic of Congo) | Zanzibar (Tanzania) |
| Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) | Luanda (Angola) | Mahe (Seychelles) |
| Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo) | Lilongwe (Malawi) | Pemba (Mozambique) |
| Ndola (Zambia) | Nampula (Mozambique) | Lusaka (Zambia) |
| Tete (Mozambique) | Blantyre (Malawi) | Livingstone (Zambia) |
| Harare (Zimbabwe) | Quelimane (Mozambique) | Antananarivo (Madagascar) |
| Kasane (Botswana) | Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) | Maun (Botswana) |
| Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) | Beira (Mozambique) | Mauritius (Mauritius) |
| Francistown (Botswana) | Inhambane (Mozambique) | Reunion Island |
International Flights
O.R Tambo International Airport is a world-class airport flying to some of the greatest cities on the globe. International flights to South Africa happen on a daily basis as well as flights from Johannesburg to some of the world’s biggest and most cosmopolitan cities. It is also very common for international travellers to catch connecting flights at the airport to cities where direct flights are not available from any other airport in the country. Those opting to take advantage of these flights connecting through Johannesburg airport may often find these routes more affordable than flying direct. It is worth noting, that while international flights to South Africa remain open, some countries have imposed travel bans on flights leaving from South Africa. It is important to ensure that you are aware of which countries and airlines are currently allowing flights to and from South Africa.
You can catch direct international flights to any one of these major cities:
| Amsterdam (Netherlands) | London (England) | Frankfurt (Germany) |
| Munich (Germany) | Istanbul (Turkey) | Washington (United States of America) |
| Atlanta (United States of America) | Rome (Italy) | Cairo (Egypt) |
| Tel Aviv (Israel) | Beijing (China) | Doha (Qatar) |
| Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) | Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | Hong Kong (China) |
| Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | Dakar (Senegal) | Accra (Ghana) |
| Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire) | Lagos (Nigeria) | Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) |
| Singapore (Singapore) | Ascencion Island | Sao Paulo (Brazil) |
| Saint Helena Island | Perth (Australia) | Sydney (Australia) |
| New York (United States of America) | Zurich (Switzerland) | Paris (France) |
| Madrid (Spain) |
For information on connecting flights, you must contact your chosen airline or check your booking options here.
Airlines Flying From O.R Tambo International Airport
With the continuous changes related to travel do’s and don’ts in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to note that, while most cities and countries are open for travel both locally and internationally, some airlines may have imposed travel restrictions and suspended flights to specific countries. International flights to South Africa remain open to travellers provided they meet the minimum necessary regulatory requirements to enter the country. However, for travellers looking to fly from South Africa, it is important to take into consideration that many countries have imposed major restrictions on travel from South Africa and many airlines have suspended flights to and from the country.
Domestic Airlines Currently Operating From O.R Tambo International
- Airlink
- BA Comair
- CemAir
- FlySafair
- Kulula
- Lift
- Mango Airlines
International Airlines Currently Operating From O.R Tambo International
- Air Austral
- Air Seychelles
- Air Botswana
- Air France
- Airlink
- Air Peace
- CemAir
- EgyptAir
- Ethiopian Airlines
- Fastjet
- Kenya Air
- LAM
- Lufthansa
- Mango Airlines
- Proflight Zambia
- Qatar
- Swiss Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- WestAir
- Airlink
Airlines Which have Currently Suspended Flights from South Africa - Emirates
- Virgin Atlantic
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Qantas
- Delta Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- Etihad Airways
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can you fly to from Johannesburg Airport?
O.R Tambo International Airport manages flights to 93 destinations across the globe. You can fly to any one of these destinations directly from Johannesburg or by way of connecting flight from any other airport in South Africa. You can refer to the maps above to get a full list of destinations where you can travel to from Johannesburg.
Which countries have ban travel from South Africa?
As a result of the 501Y.V2 variant of the COVID-19 virus, commonly referred to as the “South African variant,” certain travel bans on South Africa remain in place and bar South African travellers from visiting some countries around the world. These countries include:
- Belgium
- France
- Germany
- Switzerland
- Seychelles
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
This list is subject to change from time to time.
Are domestic flights operating at O.R Tambo International Airport?
Yes, a number of airlines are currently operating from O.R Tambo International Airport and allowing for domestic flights across the country.
Can I catch a connecting flight at Johannesburg Airport?
Yes, you can catch connecting flights at O.R Tambo International Airport to various destinations both locally and internationally. You must confirm the details of your travel with your airline or travel broker. It is also important to ensure that if you are travelling internationally, you meet the minimum regulatory requirements to travel to that destination and that that country has not imposed travel bans on South Africa.
Please note all information in this article is correct at time of publishing and is subject to change without notice.