There’s a reason the Gulf carriers became a South African traveller’s default long-haul option, and it goes well beyond geography, though that helps too. Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways have their hubs at the very crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, with roughly 80% of the world’s population within an eight-hour flight radius of the Middle East. In other words, they offer an unbeatable network of onward connections.
But as Sue Garrett, GM Supply, Pricing & Marketing at Flight Centre South Africa, explains, the real draw for South African travellers has always been the combination of price and product.
“The ME3 – as they’re popularly called – consistently offer competitive fares, modern aircraft, generous baggage allowances, strong frequencies from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, and some of the world’s best inflight experiences,” she says. “Value-conscious South Africans have been exceptionally well served.”
According to Flight Centre’s booking data, Ethiopian Airlines, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific and Qantas have all experienced a spike in demand since the beginning of March.
“Our Travel Experts are working hard to find the best available routes for our clients at the best possible price,” comments Garrett. “The reality is that demand for seats is outstripping supply, and rising jet fuel costs are pushing fares higher across the board. Our advice is to book early, remain flexible and be open to new routes and hubs.”
East: via Singapore and Hong Kong
Both Singapore Changi Airport and Hong Kong International Airport make perfect sense for travellers heading to Asia and Australia.
Singapore Airlines is operating at its highest capacity since before the pandemic – with over 2,270 weekly flights scheduled over their summer, while Changi Airport is consistently rated the world’s best in Skytrax’s World Airline and Airport Star Rating programme.
South African passport holders don’t require a visa for Singapore, and stays of up to 30 days are permitted, which opens the door to a genuine stopover. Furthermore, the onward network from Changi is exceptional: Tokyo, Sydney, Bali, Bangkok, London and Auckland all connect cleanly.
Cathay Pacific out of Hong Kong is the other standout, with more than 80 international destinations and a particularly strong network across Asia (not to mention 4th place in the 2026 Skytrax rankings for Hong Kong International Airport). South African passport holders are currently visa-free for short stays in Hong Kong, which lends itself beautifully to an exciting layover in the City of Skyscrapers.
Europe: a quiet comeback
European hubs have absorbed a significant share of displaced Gulf traffic. KLM (via Amsterdam) and Lufthansa (via Frankfurt and Munich) are both seeing strong demand from South African travellers, and the Johannesburg–London direct route on British Airways and Virgin Atlantic is particularly popular right now. That said, fares on these routes are under pressure due to capacity constraints, so booking early makes a meaningful difference.
Africa: a growing demand
Garrett says Flight Centre is seeing a significant increase in travel through Addis Ababa. “It’s easily Africa’s largest aviation hub with solid onward connections across Africa, Europe and Asia.”
If you intend spending a few days in Addis Ababa, South African citizens can get a tourist visa on arrival. Alternatively, you can apply for an eVisa before departure.
Travellers don’t typically need a visa to transit through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport – and Ethiopian Airlines offers compelling stopover packages for passengers with layovers between eight and 24 hours. These packages generally include a free hotel stay, transit visa, transfers and meal vouchers, with different (paid) options for curated city tours to explore local attractions. Garrett recommends chatting to your travel expert about the options and taking the opportunity to explore somewhere completely new.
“Kenya Airways also has various layover tours on offer,” she says. “They’re quick and competitively priced, which means if you’ve never been to Kenya before, you can tack on exciting city tours and even half-day safaris to Nairobi National Park from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.”
The unexpected upside
For Garrett, along with offering a different route to the same destination, alternative hubs also unlock entirely different networks. Some of the world’s most extraordinary travel is in easy reach for South Africans willing to look at the map with fresh eyes.
Routing via Singapore brings Thailand (and Phuket, a South African favourite), Japan, Vietnam, Bali and Sri Lanka onto the table. Hong Kong opens up Southeast Asia beautifully. And Ethiopian Airlines’ Addis Ababa hub serves more African destinations than almost any other carrier – a reminder that our continent still holds some of travel’s greatest rewards.
Travel smart
As Garrett explains, it’s a fast-moving landscape. Fares, availability and airline schedules are shifting by the day, and visa requirements are always worth a careful check before booking, particularly transit visas and visas for multi-stop itineraries. Flexibility on travel dates, attention to fare conditions and a willingness to consider new routing options will all make a real difference right now.
“The environment is still competitive. While capacity constraints and oil prices are driving fares up, there are still great accommodation deals to be found. Regional holidays, including perennial favourites like Mauritius, will become even more popular, so our advice is to book early. And ultimately, the Middle Eastern carriers will be back with great deals,” says Garrett.
Garrett also notes that, as of early April, Emirates and Qatar Airways have both increased capacity and are offering competitive pricing, though the situation remains volatile and could change at any time, so travellers are advised to confirm availability and fares before booking. The message? Stay positive and stay flexible. For South African travellers prepared to rethink the route, there may be more to discover than they expected.
