Lufthansa Group strengthens South Africa-Europe connectivity with a record winter schedule
Expanded Winter 2026/27 schedule adds Johannesburg and Cape Town capacity, improves overnight connectivity and introduces the latest Lufthansa and SWISS cabin products on South African routes.
With 38 weekly flights, Lufthansa Group will offer an all-time high number of flights between South Africa and Europe.
Two additional weekly flights to Johannesburg, one new service to Cape Town
All long-haul flights from Johannesburg will operate as comfortable night services
Latest premium cabin products, including Allegris and SWISS Senses, deployed on key South African routes
Lufthansa Group will operate its strongest-ever South African winter schedule in 2026/27, offering 38 weekly long-haul flights between South Africa and Europe. The expanded schedule, which begins at the end of October 2026, includes three additional long-haul services to South Africa.
The expanded schedule comes as South Africa’s tourism sector continues to show strong growth, following a record 10.5 million international arrivals in 2025 and 2.91 million inbound travellers recorded between January and March 2026, according to the South African Department of Tourism. This reinforces the importance of strong direct air connectivity between South Africa and key European hubs.
Lufthansa will increase the number of weekly flights between Munich and Johannesburg from three to five, just two years after the route was launched. From October, every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, a Lufthansa Airbus A350-900 will depart from Johannesburg to Lufthansa’s hub Munich in Southern Germany.
In addition, the Munich-Johannesburg service will operate as a night service in both directions, in response to customer demand. The flight to Johannesburg already departs Munich in the evening and arrives in Johannesburg the following morning. From 27 October 2026, the return flight, LH 579, will also depart O.R. Tambo International Airport at 19h55, arriving in Munich at 05h00 the next morning. This will allow passengers to arrive in Europe early and connect more easily into Lufthansa’s wider European network.
The Cape Town region will also benefit during the main winter season from an additional nonstop Monday flight from Frankfurt. This will turn the Frankfurt-Cape Town connection into a daily service, increasing choice and flexibility for customers. Passengers on this route will also enjoy Lufthansa’s latest premium cabin design, Allegris, across three travel classes: Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy.
Operated on the modern Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the Frankfurt-Cape Town service will offer enhanced comfort across seating, catering and privacy. Lufthansa’s new Allegris cabin concept features high-quality materials and state-of-the-art technology across all travel classes. Lufthansa’s second Cape Town connection, from its Munich hub, will continue as a daily service operated by an Airbus A350-900 fitted with the Allegris cabin.
SWISS will also upgrade the travel experience for its passengers on its daily Zurich – Johannesburg flight service, now offering its latest cabin product “SWISS Senses” on board its brand-new Airbus A350 by deploying its brand-new Airbus A350 featuring its new long-haul experience “SWISS Senses”, whose centerpiece is a completely redesigned cabin interior. This completely redefined cabin interior sets new standards for relaxation, design and well-being. Across all four travel classes, guests can enjoy a range of product and service highlights, from thoughtfully designed comfort features to carefully curated details.
Edelweiss, Switzerland’s leading leisure travel airline, will continue to operate the Cape Town–Zurich route up to five times a week, further strengthening Lufthansa Group’s connectivity between South Africa and Europe. The airline will offer these nonstop flights on their Airbus A350 with Swiss hospitality on board.
René Koinzack, Senior Director North, East & Southern Africa Lufthansa Group Airlines, said: “South Africa is one of Lufthansa Group’s most important long-haul markets in Africa, and our Winter 2026/27 schedule reflects that confidence. With more flights, better overnight timings from Johannesburg and our latest cabin products on key routes, we are giving South African travellers more choice, more comfort and stronger access into Europe and beyond. This is a historic milestone for the Lufthansa Group in South Africa.”
