Emirates has confirmed the addition of a third daily service between Dubai and Cape Town International Airport from October 2026, deploying the Airbus A350-900 on the route. The new frequency joins existing morning and evening departures with a midday schedule, giving travellers a wider choice of connection windows from the United Kingdom, Europe, East Africa, and across Asia.
What the third frequency means for travellers
Until now, Emirates has operated two wide-body services daily to Cape Town. Adding a midday flight means passengers from UK airports - London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh among them - have a third timing option when connecting via Dubai International. For those flying from East Africa or the Indian subcontinent, the scheduling opens up same-day connections that were previously difficult to achieve.
Emirates currently serves Cape Town with a mix of Boeing 777 variants. The A350-900 deployment brings the airline’s newest long-haul cabin to the route: 36 Business Class seats with direct aisle access and full-flat beds, 40 Premium Economy seats with extra legroom and reclining positions, and 236 Economy seats in a 3-3-3 layout. The aircraft’s cabin air is fully refreshed approximately every two to three minutes, a feature that has a noticeable effect on comfort on a 10-hour-plus sector.
October timing and Cape Town conditions
October is one of the best months to visit Cape Town. Spring temperatures across the Cape Peninsula are warm and reliably dry, wildflowers on the Cape Floral Region are at peak bloom, and whale season along the southern coast - particularly at Hermanus - runs through the month. The additional capacity arrives just as demand begins to rise ahead of the southern hemisphere summer peak.
Booking guidance
Fares on the new service are available through the Emirates website and global travel agents. Our flights to South Africa guide covers arrival procedures at Cape Town International, the domestic connection network, and how to position for onward travel to Johannesburg, Durban, or the Garden Route. For those still deciding on timing, our best time to visit South Africa page covers seasonal patterns across the country.
Once in Cape Town, our Cape Town tours guide covers the full range of day trips and organised experiences - from Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula to the Winelands and whale-watching at Hermanus.