Delta Air Lines is counting down to the start of its new service between Cape Town and Atlanta on Saturday. The new route will offer more opportunities for customers originating in Cape Town to connect on to scores of destinations across the United States, and a direct route for those in the Americas to visit the highly acclaimed Mother City and Western Cape region.
The new flight builds on the airline’s commitment to the South African market and its current service between Johannesburg and Atlanta, which launched in December 2006. This summer, the airline will operate up to 10 times weekly between South Africa and the United States with a triangular service that kick-starts Delta’s operations in Cape Town. Delta’s nonstop flights from Cape Town to Atlanta will start effective December 18 and will operate three times weekly with departures on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
“We are already seeing tremendous demand for our flights to South Africa and adding our second gateway to the country with our Cape Town service is proving popular as our customers seek new experiences,” said Paul Hassenstab, Delta’s Director Sales EMEAI. “In just a year we have increased capacity to South Africa by a staggering 67 percent, contributing to the recovery of the tourism sector in Cape Town and the region overall as we reaffirm the strong business ties between our two countries.”
South Africa is the largest U.S. trade partner in Africa, with a total two-way goods trade of USD $14 billion in 2018. Approximately 600 U.S. businesses operate in South Africa, many of which use South Africa as headquarters for their Africa operations. Tourism remains a vital part of the South African economy, providing a livelihood for thousands of people. Cape Town and the Western Cape are popular destinations for U.S. visitors, and the U.S. is now the leading point of origin for inbound tourism to South Africa, providing valuable support for the country’s economic recovery.
Cape Town’s Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis added: “I am delighted to welcome Delta’s new direct Cape Town-Atlanta flight to the Mother City. This route will offer unprecedented ease of access to our city for travellers from the Southeastern United States and — through Delta’s extensive connecting flight offering — the whole of North America. Cape Town is one of the world’s favourite tourist destinations and is rapidly rising to prominence as a leading centre for business in Africa. Delta’s decision to open the route is a reflection of this reputation. Capetonians look forward to extending the best of South African hospitality to every passenger arriving here from Atlanta.”
Marking the exciting occasion of the launch, Wrenelle Stander, Wesgro CEO and the Official Spokesperson for Cape Town Air Access said: “In 2021, the United States became South Africa’s number one overseas market for trade and tourism, and for 2022 year-to-date, it was Cape Town’s second largest passenger market with two-way passenger volumes reaching 105 000. This market’s outstanding performance owes a lot to airlines such as Delta for their commitment to the destination. We are extremely excited about these two new routes as they will continue to boost tourism, economic relations and business opportunities between Cape Town and the United States.”
Customers flying from Cape Town can connect at Delta’s Atlanta hub to more than 200 cities across the U.S., enabling them to reach their final destination on the same day. The airline will offer customers travel options to America’s most iconic and popular destinations including New York, Orlando, Los Angeles and Washington. The service also provides cargo opportunities for freight forwarders to conveniently transport goods between the nations. The airline will carry vital cargo to the U.S. including perishables such as fruit, vegetables, and fish as well as machine and auto parts.
Onboard Delta’s flagship A350-900 aircraft, customers will enjoy a choice of cabins. From luxurious fully flat-bed seats with individual aisle access in Delta One and a superior experience with room to relax and unwind in Delta Premium Select to added extras in Delta Comfort+ and a Main Cabin seat with special touches – there’s an experience for every traveller.
Delta is the leading airline connecting Africa to the United States. Delta currently operates flights from Accra, Ghana; Dakar, Senegal; Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa; and Lagos, Nigeria. Delta has a codeshare partnership with Kenya Airways for intra-Africa travel and operates the leading trans-Atlantic partnership with its partners Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic.
