Cheap flights from South Africa to San Francisco from R9 006
This is the cheapest retur flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 10/11. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
JNB — SFO
Nov 18 — Nov 251
Return
1 adult
Economy
Return
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags
Cheap flight deals from South Africa to San Francisco
Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.
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Best
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Cheapest flights from South Africa to San Francisco
Explore the most affordable flight options available from South Africa to San Francisco. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 19 October 2026.
Fri 30/1020:50 -
1 stop34h 50m
Mon 2/1119:00 -
2 stops31h 05m
Deal found 16/10R15 262
Fri 6/110:20 -
1 stop27h 10m
Mon 23/1118:35 -
1 stop30h 20m
Deal found 15/10R15 542
Thu 22/1020:15 -
1 stop28h 40m
Thu 29/108:00 -
1 stop26h 10m
Deal found 15/10R15 625
Fri 16/1023:45 -
2 stops33h 11m
Thu 29/108:00 -
1 stop25h 35m
Deal found 15/10R15 723
Wed 9/120:20 -
1 stop26h 10m
Wed 27/118:35 -
1 stop41h 50m
Deal found 17/10R15 888
Fri 16/1020:05 -
2 stops29h 09m
Thu 29/109:46 -
2 stops23h 49m
Deal found 15/10R16 003
Fri 30/1020:50 -
1 stop32h 16m
Mon 9/1111:51 -
1 stop20h 44m
Deal found 19/10R16 036
Mon 2/1121:40 -
1 stop27h 10m
Tue 10/1116:40 -
1 stop30h 00m
Deal found 16/10R16 283
Wed 25/118:30 -
2 stops40h 20m
Thu 3/1215:10 -
1 stop29h 15m
Deal found 17/10R16 464
Sun 1/1123:59 -
1 stop45h 46m
Mon 9/1116:35 -
2 stops32h 50m
Deal found 19/10R16 695
Fri 30/1020:50 -
1 stop33h 55m
Mon 9/1118:28 -
2 stops31h 37m
Deal found 16/10R16 711
Mon 2/1119:40 -
1 stop27h 15m
Tue 10/1116:40 -
2 stops32h 45m
Deal found 16/10R16 909
Best flights from South Africa to San Francisco
Discover carefully curated flight deals from South Africa to San Francisco that have cost, travel time, and stopovers in mind to ensure you get the best travel experience. Data last updated 19 October 2026.
Fri 30/1020:50 -
1 stop34h 50m
Mon 2/1119:00 -
2 stops31h 05m
Deal found 16/10R15 262
Sun 31/119:35 -
1 stop29h 20m
Wed 10/320:35 -
1 stop27h 50m
Deal found 14/10R16 003
Fri 30/1020:50 -
1 stop32h 16m
Mon 9/1111:51 -
1 stop20h 44m
Deal found 19/10R16 036
Sun 4/420:00 -
2 stops32h 13m
Thu 22/45:00 -
2 stops25h 20m
Deal found 15/10R17 238
Mon 16/1113:30 -
3 stops37h 25m
Sun 14/219:25 -
2 stops33h 40m
Deal found 14/10R19 247
Thu 3/1215:20 -
2 stops31h 15m
Thu 10/1221:40 -
1 stop24h 00m
Deal found 19/10R20 910
Thu 21/119:05 -
1 stop28h 30m
Mon 25/115:40 -
1 stop39h 30m
Deal found 14/10R26 244
Sat 16/121:00 -
2 stops32h 31m
Sat 30/16:00 -
1 stop26h 35m
Deal found 17/10R15 872
Thu 21/119:35 -
1 stop33h 10m
Mon 25/120:35 -
1 stop27h 50m
Deal found 14/10R16 053
Sat 16/119:35 -
1 stop29h 15m
Sat 30/17:30 -
1 stop25h 05m
Deal found 17/10R16 415
Tue 1/1220:50 -
1 stop28h 54m
Tue 8/127:00 -
1 stop25h 00m
Deal found 17/10R17 320
Fri 30/1020:50 -
1 stop33h 55m
Mon 9/1118:28 -
2 stops31h 37m
Deal found 16/10R16 711
Tue 2/221:20 -
2 stops30h 21m
Tue 16/211:30 -
1 stop21h 40m
Deal found 18/10R17 271
Wed 25/1120:50 -
1 stop25h 37m
Thu 3/1223:59 -
1 stop32h 01m
Deal found 17/10R17 320
Mon 23/1115:45 -
3 stops35h 10m
Mon 12/419:40 -
3 stops36h 55m
Deal found 16/10R19 626
Sun 22/1119:00 -
2 stops53h 55m
Mon 12/416:35 -
2 stops40h 50m
Deal found 19/10R18 127
Mon 2/1121:40 -
1 stop27h 10m
Tue 10/1118:28 -
2 stops28h 12m
Deal found 15/10R17 271
Sun 31/122:00 -
2 stops27h 23m
Wed 10/38:10 -
2 stops24h 25m
Deal found 16/10R17 436
Sat 21/1115:45 -
2 stops34h 45m
Mon 12/419:40 -
3 stops36h 55m
Deal found 16/10R20 021
Mon 16/1119:00 -
2 stops53h 55m
Sun 14/217:25 -
2 stops39h 00m
Deal found 14/10R18 210
Sat 7/1121:40 -
2 stops35h 05m
Mon 23/1118:28 -
2 stops28h 12m
Deal found 15/10R17 370
Tue 24/1112:40 -
2 stops36h 15m
Mon 12/416:35 -
2 stops40h 50m
Deal found 17/10R18 226
Wed 2/1220:50 -
2 stops32h 04m
Wed 9/1221:40 -
1 stop24h 00m
Deal found 18/10R18 638
Wed 2/1217:00 -
2 stops33h 30m
Wed 9/1219:25 -
2 stops34h 55m
Deal found 18/10R21 009
Wed 4/1121:40 -
2 stops31h 52m
Sun 22/1114:47 -
2 stops31h 53m
Deal found 14/10R17 386
Mon 23/1119:05 -
1 stop28h 30m
Mon 30/1115:40 -
1 stop39h 30m
Deal found 17/10R26 804
Thu 21/111:15 -
2 stops41h 30m
Mon 25/120:35 -
2 stops52h 05m
Deal found 14/10R18 555
Fri 25/128:00 -
2 stops43h 50m
Mon 15/37:10 -
2 stops43h 45m
Deal found 16/10R19 741
Mon 30/1117:00 -
2 stops33h 30m
Mon 7/1216:40 -
3 stops35h 20m
Deal found 16/10R21 766
Mon 23/1111:15 -
2 stops37h 40m
Mon 30/1117:25 -
2 stops55h 15m
Deal found 17/10R18 638
Last-minute flights from South Africa to San Francisco
Discover last-minute flight deals from South Africa to San Francisco. Data last updated 19 October 2026 and is based on user searches.
Fri 16/1023:45 -
2 stops33h 11m
Thu 29/108:00 -
1 stop25h 35m
Deal found 15/10R15 723
Fri 16/1020:05 -
2 stops29h 09m
Thu 29/109:46 -
2 stops23h 49m
Deal found 15/10R16 003
Thu 22/1020:15 -
1 stop28h 40m
Thu 29/108:00 -
1 stop26h 10m
Deal found 15/10R15 625
Fri 30/1020:50 -
1 stop34h 50m
Mon 2/1119:00 -
2 stops31h 05m
Deal found 16/10R15 262
Fri 30/1020:50 -
1 stop32h 16m
Mon 9/1111:51 -
1 stop20h 44m
Deal found 19/10R16 036
Fri 30/1020:50 -
1 stop33h 55m
Mon 9/1118:28 -
2 stops31h 37m
Deal found 16/10R16 711
Sun 1/1123:59 -
1 stop45h 46m
Mon 9/1116:35 -
2 stops32h 50m
Deal found 19/10R16 695
Mon 2/1121:40 -
1 stop27h 10m
Tue 10/1116:40 -
1 stop30h 00m
Deal found 16/10R16 283
Mon 2/1119:40 -
1 stop27h 15m
Tue 10/1116:40 -
2 stops32h 45m
Deal found 16/10R16 909
Mon 2/1123:59 -
1 stop45h 46m
Tue 10/1113:50 -
1 stop22h 10m
Deal found 19/10R16 991
Fri 6/110:20 -
1 stop27h 10m
Mon 23/1118:35 -
1 stop30h 20m
Deal found 15/10R15 542
Wed 25/118:30 -
2 stops40h 20m
Thu 3/1215:10 -
1 stop29h 15m
Deal found 17/10R16 464
One-way flights from South Africa to San Francisco
Search for one-way flight options from South Africa to San Francisco. Find affordable one-way fares based on user searches. Data last updated 19 October 2026.
Tue 10/1117:15 -
1 stop33h 15m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 19/10R9 006
Tue 1/1217:15 -
1 stop33h 15m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 15/10R9 237
Fri 13/1114:00 -
2 stops36h 30m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 18/10R9 862
Tue 1/1218:50 -
2 stops35h 23m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 15/10R10 010
Fri 13/110:20 -
2 stops30h 12m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 15/10R10 191
Wed 11/1120:20 -
1 stop27h 10m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 15/10R10 702
Wed 2/1217:15 -
3 stops34h 20m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 14/10R11 048
Wed 2/1212:35 -
1 stop34h 05m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 14/10R11 295
Tue 1/1217:15 -
3 stops35h 14m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 15/10R11 426
Tue 2/218:50 -
1 stop31h 40m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 18/10R12 068
Sun 17/117:15 -
1 stop33h 15m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 17/10R12 151
Tue 1/1218:50 -
1 stop31h 40m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 15/10R12 167
Find flight deals from South Africa to San Francisco
Keep the following information in mind while searching for South Africa to San Francisco flight deals. Data was last updated 19 October 2026.
Customise your flight search to find flights from South Africa to San Francisco that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 7 457 451 searches. Data last updated 19 October 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from South Africa to San Francisco that are best for you.
Fly from
Fly to
Route
Depart
Return
Price
Cheapest return flight
Cape TownSan Francisco
CPT Cape Town Intl - SFO San Francisco
CPTSFO
Cape Town Intl
Tue 10/11
17:15-16:30
1 stop33h 15m
San Francisco
Wed 31/12
0:00-10:00
Nonstop0h 00m
R9 006
Cape TownSan Francisco
CPT Cape Town Intl - SFO San Francisco
CPTSFO
Cape Town Intl
Wed 2/12
14:00-16:30
2 stops36h 30m
San Francisco
Wed 31/12
0:00-10:00
Nonstop0h 00m
R10 159
Cape TownSan Francisco
CPT Cape Town Intl - SFO San Francisco
CPTSFO
Cape Town Intl
Wed 2/12
12:35-12:40
1 stop34h 05m
San Francisco
Wed 31/12
0:00-10:00
Nonstop0h 00m
R11 295
JohannesburgSan Francisco
JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo - SFO San Francisco
JNBSFO
Johannesburg OR Tambo
Tue 2/2
18:50-16:30
1 stop31h 40m
San Francisco
Wed 31/12
0:00-10:00
Nonstop0h 00m
R12 068
JohannesburgSan Francisco
JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo - SFO San Francisco
JNBSFO
Johannesburg OR Tambo
Tue 2/2
13:45-20:11
2 stops40h 26m
San Francisco
Wed 31/12
0:00-10:00
Nonstop0h 00m
R12 595
JohannesburgSan Francisco
JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo - SFO San Francisco
JNBSFO
Johannesburg OR Tambo
Tue 2/2
17:00-20:00
3 stops37h 00m
San Francisco
Wed 31/12
0:00-10:00
Nonstop0h 00m
R12 842
Cape TownSan Francisco
CPT Cape Town Intl - SFO San Francisco
CPTSFO
Cape Town Intl
Tue 10/11
12:20-20:32
3 stops42h 12m
San Francisco
Wed 31/12
0:00-10:00
Nonstop0h 00m
R13 353
DurbanSan Francisco
DUR Durban King Shaka Intl - SFO San Francisco
DURSFO
Durban King Shaka Intl
Mon 28/12
14:00-19:50
3 stops39h 50m
San Francisco
Wed 31/12
0:00-10:00
Nonstop0h 00m
R14 028
Cape TownSan Francisco
CPT Cape Town Intl - SFO San Francisco
CPTSFO
Cape Town Intl
Fri 30/10
20:50-22:40
1 stop34h 50m
San Francisco
Mon 2/11
19:00-12:05
2 stops31h 05m
R15 262
Cape TownSan Francisco
CPT Cape Town Intl - SFO San Francisco
CPTSFO
Cape Town Intl
Sat 16/1
7:30-11:45
1 stop38h 15m
San Francisco
Wed 31/12
0:00-10:00
Nonstop0h 00m
R15 592
Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.
Deals found on 19/10
Showing 1-10 of 57 resultsSorted by cheapest first
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Best time to book a flight from South Africa to San Francisco
Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to San Francisco from South Africa with our price prediction graph.
CPT-SFO
JNB-SFO
DUR-SFO
PLZ-SFO
Estimated return price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.
Cheapflights Insights
Everything you need to know about your flight from South Africa to San Francisco
ZA0-SFO
CPT-SFO
JNB-SFO
DUR-SFO
PLZ-SFO
What is the cheapest month to book a flight from South Africa to San Francisco?
Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from South Africa to San Francisco (average of R17 041). Flying from South Africa to San Francisco in April is currently the most expensive (average of R25 240). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.
How far ahead should I book a flight from South Africa to San Francisco?
The price you pay for your flight from South Africa to San Francisco may vary depending on when you book. For the best chance of a lower fare, look to book 73 days in advance of your trip. Fares are likely to increase a fortnight or so before your departure date.
Reviews of airlines servicing San Francisco
Get insights into the airlines that provide service to San Francisco. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to San Francisco. Reviews last updated 19 October 2026.
Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Emirates,KLM, andVirgin Atlantic from South Africa to San Francisco by reading reviews from past customers. Users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Subject: Disappointing Experience Relative to Your Premium Brand I chose your airline because of its reputation as a premium carrier and was willing to pay a significant premium for that experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of my journey fell well short of the standard I expected. Airport Experience At check-in, I was initially directed to the regular line and then told to move to the U.S. line, resulting in unnecessary delays and confusion. I attempted to purchase a Business Class upgrade for my wife, who was traveling in Premium Economy. I was directed to a reservations desk that was unattended. After searching for another service window and waiting approximately 15 minutes, I eventually gave up. This was a frustrating experience that should have been much easier to navigate. Onboard Experience The lounge experience was excellent and is one of the highlights of the journey. Once onboard, I tried again to upgrade my wife to Business Class. I was quoted approximately $1,500 for a single flight segment, which was difficult to justify. What was even more frustrating was discovering later that several Business Class seats remained empty. It seems counterproductive to let seats go unused rather than offer a more reasonable last-minute upgrade option. Had the price been more aligned with market realities, my wife could have traveled with me in Business Class and both the airline and the customer would have benefited. The inflight entertainment was disappointing. The quality of the system and the selection of English-language movies were well below what I would expect from a premium international airline. I spent much of the flight unable to find suitable content. During the final meal service before landing, I was never offered a meal despite being awake and attentive. While I have no doubt the crew would have provided one had I specifically requested it, I do not believe customers should have to ask to receive a standard meal service. What Worked Well The chauffeur/car pickup service at all locations was excellent and consistently met expectations. The lounge experience was also very good. Loyalty Program One factor that makes it difficult for me to remain loyal is that your frequent flyer program is not integrated into one of the major global mileage ecosystems in the same way airlines such as United participate in broader alliances. Given your premium pricing and limited route network relative to larger carriers, consolidating miles and status benefits across multiple airlines is an important consideration for travelers like me. Overall Impression This was not an inexpensive trip. In fact, given recent geopolitical concerns in the region, choosing this routing required a degree of trust and willingness to accept additional travel risk. Unfortunately, the overall experience did not justify either the premium price or that trust. When I combine the airport issues, upgrade frustrations, entertainment shortcomings, missed meal service, and loyalty limitations, I cannot say I received the level of experience your brand promises. As things stand today, I am unlikely to choose your airline again, and my wife is already encouraging me to consider alternatives for my next international trip in December. I share this feedback because I believe your airline has the potential to deliver a truly exceptional experience, but this journey fell significantly short of that expectation.
Related info for your journey
Find useful and relevant information for your journey from South Africa to San Francisco. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.
What airport do you fly into for flights to San Francisco from South Africa?
For a flight from South Africa to San Francisco, you will be flying into San Francisco. San Francisco (SFO) is just 17,7 km from the centre of the city.
How long is the flight from South Africa to San Francisco?
Departing from South Africa to San Francisco will take you 29h 20m. There are 16966 km between South Africa and San Francisco. When browsing for deals, the options you’ll see will be for both direct flights and flights with stops.
What are the most popular routes from South Africa to San Francisco?
While some choose either Cape Town Intl - San Francisco or Durban King Shaka Intl - San Francisco, Johannesburg OR Tambo - San Francisco is the most popular route from South Africa to San Francisco.
Can I find deals for flights from South Africa to San Francisco that include hotel bookings?
Yes. In addition to deals on South Africa to San Francisco flights, Cheapflights offers holiday packages that include both flights and hotel.
How can I find direct flights from South Africa to San Francisco?
After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from South Africa to San Francisco.
Can I find deals for business class flights from South Africa to San Francisco?
Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from South Africa to San Francisco by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.
What is the cheapest month to book a flight from South Africa to San Francisco?
Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from South Africa to San Francisco (average of R17 041). Flying from South Africa to San Francisco in April is currently the most expensive (average of R25 240). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.
Top 10 airlines flying from South Africa to San Francisco
Discover the top 10 airlines that operate flights from South Africa to San Francisco. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 7 457 451 searches. Data last updated 19 October 2026.
Find the best flight deals on Cheapflights, where travellers can enjoy low prices and a wide availability of flights to their desired destinations.
How does Cheapflights help users find flights from South Africa to San Francisco?
Cheapflights makes it easy to find South Africa to San Francisco flights by helping our users search from 900+ travel sites for deals. We also provide you with filters for cabin, price, airline, airports, number of stops, and many more to narrow down that perfect flight.
Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets from South Africa to San Francisco?
Cheapflights taps into our reliable network of hundreds of airlines and travel agencies to find the best deals for flights from South Africa to San Francisco for you. Better yet — we are completely free to use.
Can Cheapflights find flights from South Africa to San Francisco with no change fees?
Need flexible booking options for your flight to San Francisco from South Africa? Don’t worry, Cheapflights have you covered. Use our search filter to only show flights with no change fees.
Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights from South Africa to San Francisco become cheaper?
Yes, Cheapflights has a feature called Price Alert, which notifies users when flight prices change. Track prices for your flight to San Francisco from South Africa today and book when prices fit your budget.
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