Cheap flights from South Africa to San Francisco from R9 865
This is the cheapest retur flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 28/9. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
JNB — SFO
Oct 23 — Oct 301
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.
Cheapest
Best
Last-minute
One-way
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 23 September 2026.
Tue 29/920:05 -
1 stop32h 53m
Wed 28/1012:05 -
2 stops39h 00m
Deal found 18/9R15 236
Tue 29/920:05 -
1 stop32h 53m
Tue 10/1118:28 -
2 stops31h 37m
Deal found 19/9R15 268
Tue 13/1020:05 -
1 stop33h 01m
Sat 24/1017:55 -
1 stop33h 10m
Deal found 20/9R15 285
Tue 20/1020:05 -
1 stop29h 57m
Tue 27/1012:40 -
2 stops38h 25m
Deal found 22/9R15 317
Tue 13/1020:05 -
1 stop29h 57m
Tue 8/1211:49 -
2 stops62h 16m
Deal found 19/9R15 788
Sat 17/1023:45 -
2 stops33h 11m
Sat 24/1018:25 -
2 stops32h 40m
Deal found 19/9R16 226
Mon 21/920:15 -
1 stop28h 40m
Sun 4/106:00 -
1 stop28h 40m
Deal found 18/9R16 323
Thu 24/920:15 -
1 stop28h 40m
Wed 7/1011:44 -
1 stop22h 56m
Deal found 22/9R16 356
Wed 30/915:20 -
2 stops37h 38m
Wed 28/1018:38 -
2 stops32h 27m
Deal found 18/9R16 583
Fri 9/1020:05 -
1 stop35h 54m
Tue 20/1017:55 -
2 stops33h 45m
Deal found 20/9R16 648
Thu 19/1123:59 -
2 stops35h 13m
Mon 30/1116:35 -
2 stops32h 50m
Deal found 22/9R16 680
Tue 29/920:00 -
2 stops26h 33m
Wed 28/108:20 -
2 stops24h 40m
Deal found 18/9R16 696
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 23 September 2026.
Tue 6/1020:05 -
1 stop34h 50m
Wed 28/1017:40 -
1 stop33h 25m
Deal found 18/9R15 236
Tue 13/1020:05 -
1 stop29h 57m
Tue 20/1017:55 -
2 stops33h 45m
Deal found 20/9R16 648
Fri 25/1220:50 -
1 stop33h 55m
Fri 11/60:50 -
2 stops29h 30m
Deal found 22/9R16 696
Sun 6/1219:00 -
2 stops53h 55m
Sun 7/320:35 -
2 stops35h 50m
Deal found 22/9R17 540
Sun 6/1213:30 -
2 stops37h 00m
Sun 7/314:20 -
3 stops38h 45m
Deal found 22/9R19 439
Thu 21/111:15 -
2 stops39h 15m
Mon 25/118:35 -
2 stops33h 10m
Deal found 19/9R21 402
Thu 21/119:10 -
1 stop27h 40m
Mon 25/115:40 -
1 stop39h 30m
Deal found 21/9R24 647
Sat 17/1023:45 -
2 stops33h 11m
Sat 24/1011:38 -
1 stop21h 57m
Deal found 19/9R15 268
Thu 19/1123:59 -
2 stops35h 13m
Mon 30/1116:35 -
2 stops32h 50m
Deal found 22/9R16 680
Tue 6/1020:00 -
2 stops32h 24m
Wed 28/106:35 -
2 stops26h 25m
Deal found 18/9R16 696
Tue 3/1120:50 -
1 stop35h 05m
Tue 10/1116:40 -
1 stop33h 25m
Deal found 19/9R15 268
Tue 13/1020:00 -
1 stop24h 22m
Tue 20/1021:15 -
1 stop34h 55m
Deal found 20/9R16 713
Tue 20/1020:05 -
1 stop35h 54m
Tue 27/1017:40 -
1 stop33h 25m
Deal found 22/9R15 317
Sun 3/17:00 -
2 stops39h 40m
Sun 10/110:13 -
3 stops39h 42m
Deal found 21/9R37 676
Sun 31/123:59 -
2 stops31h 36m
Wed 10/316:45 -
2 stops32h 40m
Deal found 22/9R17 751
Tue 13/1020:00 -
2 stops26h 12m
Sat 24/105:00 -
2 stops26h 10m
Deal found 20/9R16 713
Sun 18/1019:00 -
2 stops54h 35m
Sun 17/119:25 -
2 stops36h 10m
Deal found 21/9R20 445
Sun 31/122:00 -
1 stop34h 49m
Wed 10/37:00 -
1 stop25h 35m
Deal found 21/9R16 794
Thu 19/1121:40 -
1 stop27h 10m
Mon 30/1118:28 -
2 stops28h 12m
Deal found 22/9R16 988
Thu 5/1117:00 -
3 stops33h 55m
Thu 12/1114:20 -
3 stops37h 40m
Deal found 21/9R21 418
Tue 3/1119:10 -
1 stop27h 40m
Tue 10/1115:40 -
1 stop39h 30m
Deal found 19/9R25 896
Sun 3/18:05 -
2 stops42h 25m
Sun 10/118:35 -
2 stops61h 50m
Deal found 21/9R34 204
Sun 18/1015:10 -
3 stops38h 28m
Sun 17/116:40 -
3 stops34h 20m
Deal found 21/9R31 981
Last-minute flights from South Africa to San Francisco
Discover last-minute flight deals from South Africa to San Francisco. Data last updated 23 September 2026 and is based on user searches.
Thu 24/920:15 -
1 stop28h 40m
Wed 7/1011:44 -
1 stop22h 56m
Deal found 22/9R16 356
Tue 29/920:05 -
1 stop32h 53m
Wed 28/1012:05 -
2 stops39h 00m
Deal found 18/9R15 236
Tue 29/920:05 -
1 stop32h 53m
Tue 10/1118:28 -
2 stops31h 37m
Deal found 19/9R15 268
Tue 29/920:00 -
2 stops26h 33m
Wed 28/108:20 -
2 stops24h 40m
Deal found 18/9R16 696
Wed 30/915:20 -
2 stops37h 38m
Wed 28/1018:38 -
2 stops32h 27m
Deal found 18/9R16 583
Fri 9/1020:05 -
1 stop35h 54m
Tue 20/1017:55 -
2 stops33h 45m
Deal found 20/9R16 648
Tue 13/1020:05 -
1 stop33h 01m
Sat 24/1017:55 -
1 stop33h 10m
Deal found 20/9R15 285
Tue 13/1020:05 -
1 stop29h 57m
Tue 8/1211:49 -
2 stops62h 16m
Deal found 19/9R15 788
Tue 13/1020:00 -
2 stops25h 30m
Tue 20/1022:42 -
2 stops33h 28m
Deal found 20/9R16 713
Wed 14/1023:15 -
2 stops29h 51m
Tue 20/1013:45 -
2 stops35h 00m
Deal found 20/9R16 794
Sat 17/1023:45 -
2 stops33h 11m
Sat 24/1018:25 -
2 stops32h 40m
Deal found 19/9R16 226
Tue 20/1020:05 -
1 stop29h 57m
Tue 27/1012:40 -
2 stops38h 25m
Deal found 22/9R15 317
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 23 September 2026.
Mon 28/913:15 -
1 stop34h 05m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 20/9R9 865
Mon 5/1013:15 -
1 stop33h 20m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 18/9R9 882
Mon 28/920:55 -
1 stop26h 25m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 20/9R10 174
Mon 5/1014:05 -
1 stop32h 30m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 21/9R10 368
Wed 7/1020:55 -
1 stop25h 40m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 18/9R10 417
Wed 10/212:35 -
1 stop34h 05m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 19/9R10 936
Sun 27/920:55 -
1 stop26h 25m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 21/9R11 666
Thu 5/1120:20 -
2 stops34h 20m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 22/9R12 040
Sun 15/1119:25 -
2 stops53h 36m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 18/9R12 234
Sat 31/1020:20 -
2 stops34h 20m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 21/9R12 299
Thu 22/1017:55 -
1 stop31h 45m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 18/9R12 802
Sun 27/920:55 -
2 stops31h 53m
Wed 31/120:00 -
Nonstop0h 00m
Deal found 21/9R12 867
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 23 September 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 23 September 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
JohannesburgSan Francisco
JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo - SFO San Francisco
JNBSFO
Johannesburg OR Tambo
Thu 5/11
20:20-20:40
2 stops34h 20m
San Francisco
Wed 31/12
0:00-10:00
Nonstop0h 00m
R12 040
JohannesburgSan Francisco
JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo - SFO San Francisco
JNBSFO
Johannesburg OR Tambo
Thu 5/11
18:50-17:30
1 stop32h 40m
San Francisco
Wed 31/12
0:00-10:00
Nonstop0h 00m
R12 802
JohannesburgSan Francisco
JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo - SFO San Francisco
JNBSFO
Johannesburg OR Tambo
Thu 22/10
9:45-21:44
2 stops44h 59m
San Francisco
Wed 31/12
0:00-10:00
Nonstop0h 00m
R13 321
DurbanSan Francisco
DUR Durban King Shaka Intl - SFO San Francisco
DURSFO
Durban King Shaka Intl
Thu 3/12
11:15-16:30
2 stops39h 15m
San Francisco
Wed 31/12
0:00-10:00
Nonstop0h 00m
R13 370
JohannesburgSan Francisco
JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo - SFO San Francisco
JNBSFO
Johannesburg OR Tambo
Mon 28/9
9:45-21:40
2 stops44h 55m
San Francisco
Wed 31/12
0:00-10:00
Nonstop0h 00m
R13 403
DurbanSan Francisco
DUR Durban King Shaka Intl - SFO San Francisco
DURSFO
Durban King Shaka Intl
Thu 3/12
8:20-23:59
3 stops49h 39m
San Francisco
Wed 31/12
0:00-10:00
Nonstop0h 00m
R13 419
Cape TownSan Francisco
CPT Cape Town Intl - SFO San Francisco
CPTSFO
Cape Town Intl
Thu 29/10
14:00-17:30
2 stops36h 30m
San Francisco
Wed 31/12
0:00-10:00
Nonstop0h 00m
R14 311
DurbanSan Francisco
DUR Durban King Shaka Intl - SFO San Francisco
DURSFO
Durban King Shaka Intl
Thu 3/12
19:10-12:50
1 stop27h 40m
San Francisco
Wed 31/12
0:00-10:00
Nonstop0h 00m
R14 668
Cape TownSan Francisco
CPT Cape Town Intl - SFO San Francisco
CPTSFO
Cape Town Intl
Tue 6/10
20:05-21:55
1 stop34h 50m
San Francisco
Wed 28/10
17:40-12:05
1 stop33h 25m
R15 236
Cape TownSan Francisco
CPT Cape Town Intl - SFO San Francisco
CPTSFO
Cape Town Intl
Sat 17/10
23:45-23:56
2 stops33h 11m
San Francisco
Sat 24/10
11:38-18:35
1 stop21h 57m
R15 268
Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.
Deals found on 22/9
Showing 1-10 of 41 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 037). Flying from South Africa to San Francisco in April is currently the most expensive (average of R25 004). 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 84 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 23 September 2026.
Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Emirates,KLM, andUnited Airlines 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 34h 49m. 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 cheapest airlines to fly from South Africa to San Francisco one-way?
For one-way options, check prices for Qatar Airways. According to our data, you can fly for as low as R9 345. Users have also found prices from R12 480 and R13 064 on Turkish Airlines and Emirates, respectively.
What are the most popular routes from South Africa to San Francisco?
While some choose either Johannesburg OR Tambo - San Francisco or Durban King Shaka Intl - San Francisco, Cape Town Intl - 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 037). Flying from South Africa to San Francisco in April is currently the most expensive (average of R25 004). 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 23 September 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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