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Find cheap flights to South Africa from AED 970

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from the United Arab Emirates to South Africa departing on 16/5. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
0 bags
Wed 5/6
Wed 12/6

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Best South Africa Flight Deals

Cheapest return prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Johannesburg
Johannesburg1 stopAED 1,792
Cape Town
Cape Town1 stopAED 2,350
Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth2 stopsAED 2,843
Hoedspruit
Hoedspruit2 stopsAED 3,863

Good to know

Low season

February

High season

December

Cheapest flight

AED 970
Best time to beat the crowds (11% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (21% more expensive on average)
Flight from Abu Dhabi to Johannesburg

FAQs - booking South Africa flights

  • How long is the flight to South Africa?

    An average direct flight from the United Arab Emirates to South Africa takes 20h 39m, covering a distance of 10783 km. The most popular route is Dubai - Johannesburg with an average flight time of 8h 10m.

  • What is the cheapest flight to South Africa?

    The cheapest ticket to South Africa from the United Arab Emirates found in the last 72 hours was AED 1,627 one-way, and AED 1,855 round-trip. The most popular route is Dubai Intl to Johannesburg OR Tambo and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was AED 1,895.

  • Which airlines fly to South Africa?

    Emirates, South African & Etihad Airways fly the most frequently from the United Arab Emirates to South Africa.

  • What are the most popular destinations in South Africa?

    Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is Johannesburg (40% of total searches to South Africa). The next most popular destinations are Cape Town (23%) and Sun City Resort (16%). Searches for flights to Durban (15%), to Hoedspruit (2%) and to Port Elizabeth (2%) are also popular.

  • How does KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

See more FAQs

Top tips for finding cheap flights to South Africa

  • Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest South Africa flight deals.

Top 5 airlines flying to South Africa

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from the United Arab Emirates to South Africa? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.1
EmiratesOverall score based on 4001 reviews
8.3Entertainment
8.3Crew
8.1Comfort
8.2Boarding
7.9Food
Airline reviews

I am going to be just factual, not bad mouthing nor complaining, but this was my experience. With 3 pieces of luggage, I was told the flight from Mumbai to Dubai was cancelled due to flood. This was told not by the airport board which still showed the regular time of departure, but general stuff at the airport. No Emirates stuff around to direct the transfer passengers of the cancelled flights. By the departure counters with crowds of people, one by one, angry, frustrated, urgent conversations were going on. No announcement were made, no postings being seen, just private conversations. I still have 5+ hours of layover, so I let more urgent people settled first. However, the fact that no communication of when, what and where I should go was very unsettling. Basically no time limit waiting means, no meal, no sleep, no step away, no planning, no change plan, no telling of the family what to do. Nobody was able to tell you anything but asked you to wait, no chair, no space, no facility to freshen up. That went on for 10+ (from 5) hour without warnings and accurate communications. Email received from Emirates asked me not to go to Dubai at all, or boarding at the time that was passed. In other words, communication were very untimely, after the fact. That created more confusion instead. After changing several of boarding time, we were given the gate # and a boarding pass. However, the boarding pass still have the original time of boarding, so again, not knowing walking 30 min in the airport to the gate would make you late or not, therefore, still dare not to eat a meal. The flight arriving to Dubai was uneventful and I gave a 4/5 rating. I just thought the layover at Dubai would just cut short from 8+ hours to 2+ hours. At Dubai airport, I saw people sleeping on cardboard, knowing, these people got stranded but they dared to sleep because they know when to board and I didn't. Or these kind of delay are just so normal that people know what to do to pass time. Then the worst service and crazy thing happened. The boarding time on board for LA and at gate A9 was clearly 8:50AM. At 8:40, surprised by not having any boarding activities, then one single staff showed up and said to a few passengers that the boarding would be delayed without a time frame. Since only a few people know, I asked another Emirates staff at another counter, who simply said basically non of his business. I was shocked with that indifferent attitude. Yet every boards I saw show the same boarding time. What kind of system failure was that to prepare delay situation! How confusing and unnecessary chaos and anger that provoke. That poor staff had to repeat himself so many times, answered questions that he had no power nor information to provide nor solved. One an only one stuff to show up for 10 min, leaving the counter non-staff with board showing 8:50AM boarding. This was purely irresponsible from top to bottom of the entire airline operation staff. What kind of leader in a service industry would allow this to happen to their customers. Without explanation, after changing 3 times the boarding times, again, means you should not go to eat a full meal, because, when you found a mob at the gate. People who were stranded for 2 days were afraid of not getting a seat with a full plane. That would not be happening if the airline provide adequate guidance to each person, instead of just having 4 staff yelling at the gate at the same time to "control" the crowd, threatening no boarding and delay boarding. Finally, I was on board, hungry and tired, not sleep for 36 hours. I was denied with a snack of fruit. By the time meal was served, it was an hour later. Half way of the trip, I felt sleep in fetus position and did not want to move, happy I finally could have some shut eyes time. However, when I got up to the bathroom, I felt very light headed. Having sleep deprived, constipated for 3 days, dehydrated, I knew it could happen since my blood pressure usually was low closed to 90/60. Any lower then that, I could have syncope. Sure enough, I was on the floor just 10 feet from my seat and 5 feet to the bathroom. However, nobody called for help. I asked for warm water and juice to hydrate, came only with cold and icy drinks which I wouldn't take. I asked for blankets, one was given. Yet my shivering, needs to cover my head and multiple requests did not hasten to take the two blankets that are at my seat 10 feet away. I waited 10 min for that. While 2-3 staff surrounded me, nobody did the vitals until after 15 min, just the spirometer only of which did not work due to my cold fingers. The first reading was 86 and oxygen was suggested. But another supervising personnel came, fussed over another reading, ignoring my comfort and needs. Seemingly the reading of spirometer was the priority. By then, no oxygen needed. I had this fainting experience before, and I knew how to help myself. However, I was not being listened to but to be told this and that. Finally, I got better and returned to seat. One kind flight attendant said she would check back with me in 15 min. She did not come back. I felt asleep in that fetus position again and this time I woke up with a bad cramp at my left leg. Yet I needed to go to bathroom, the cramp was too bad to walk. So I stepped back to seat. When I tried again the second time, the other front leg got cramp. This time I dare not move but massaged myself. For all these 5-10 min, I called for attention. Attendants passed me by because they were carried with heavy load of blankets and stuff. Nobody answered the light. Then came landing and off board. I was asked by two attendants how I felt. I smiled and said "fine".

2.0 MediocreAnonymous, Apr 2024DXB - LAX
Read more about Emirates reviews

I am going to be just factual, not bad mouthing nor complaining, but this was my experience. With 3 pieces of luggage, I was told the flight from Mumbai to Dubai was cancelled due to flood. This was told not by the airport board which still showed the regular time of departure, but general stuff at the airport. No Emirates stuff around to direct the transfer passengers of the cancelled flights. By the departure counters with crowds of people, one by one, angry, frustrated, urgent conversations were going on. No announcement were made, no postings being seen, just private conversations. I still have 5+ hours of layover, so I let more urgent people settled first. However, the fact that no communication of when, what and where I should go was very unsettling. Basically no time limit waiting means, no meal, no sleep, no step away, no planning, no change plan, no telling of the family what to do. Nobody was able to tell you anything but asked you to wait, no chair, no space, no facility to freshen up. That went on for 10+ (from 5) hour without warnings and accurate communications. Email received from Emirates asked me not to go to Dubai at all, or boarding at the time that was passed. In other words, communication were very untimely, after the fact. That created more confusion instead. After changing several of boarding time, we were given the gate # and a boarding pass. However, the boarding pass still have the original time of boarding, so again, not knowing walking 30 min in the airport to the gate would make you late or not, therefore, still dare not to eat a meal. The flight arriving to Dubai was uneventful and I gave a 4/5 rating. I just thought the layover at Dubai would just cut short from 8+ hours to 2+ hours. At Dubai airport, I saw people sleeping on cardboard, knowing, these people got stranded but they dared to sleep because they know when to board and I didn't. Or these kind of delay are just so normal that people know what to do to pass time. Then the worst service and crazy thing happened. The boarding time on board for LA and at gate A9 was clearly 8:50AM. At 8:40, surprised by not having any boarding activities, then one single staff showed up and said to a few passengers that the boarding would be delayed without a time frame. Since only a few people know, I asked another Emirates staff at another counter, who simply said basically non of his business. I was shocked with that indifferent attitude. Yet every boards I saw show the same boarding time. What kind of system failure was that to prepare delay situation! How confusing and unnecessary chaos and anger that provoke. That poor staff had to repeat himself so many times, answered questions that he had no power nor information to provide nor solved. One an only one stuff to show up for 10 min, leaving the counter non-staff with board showing 8:50AM boarding. This was purely irresponsible from top to bottom of the entire airline operation staff. What kind of leader in a service industry would allow this to happen to their customers. Without explanation, after changing 3 times the boarding times, again, means you should not go to eat a full meal, because, when you found a mob at the gate. People who were stranded for 2 days were afraid of not getting a seat with a full plane. That would not be happening if the airline provide adequate guidance to each person, instead of just having 4 staff yelling at the gate at the same time to "control" the crowd, threatening no boarding and delay boarding. Finally, I was on board, hungry and tired, not sleep for 36 hours. I was denied with a snack of fruit. By the time meal was served, it was an hour later. Half way of the trip, I felt sleep in fetus position and did not want to move, happy I finally could have some shut eyes time. However, when I got up to the bathroom, I felt very light headed. Having sleep deprived, constipated for 3 days, dehydrated, I knew it could happen since my blood pressure usually was low closed to 90/60. Any lower then that, I could have syncope. Sure enough, I was on the floor just 10 feet from my seat and 5 feet to the bathroom. However, nobody called for help. I asked for warm water and juice to hydrate, came only with cold and icy drinks which I wouldn't take. I asked for blankets, one was given. Yet my shivering, needs to cover my head and multiple requests did not hasten to take the two blankets that are at my seat 10 feet away. I waited 10 min for that. While 2-3 staff surrounded me, nobody did the vitals until after 15 min, just the spirometer only of which did not work due to my cold fingers. The first reading was 86 and oxygen was suggested. But another supervising personnel came, fussed over another reading, ignoring my comfort and needs. Seemingly the reading of spirometer was the priority. By then, no oxygen needed. I had this fainting experience before, and I knew how to help myself. However, I was not being listened to but to be told this and that. Finally, I got better and returned to seat. One kind flight attendant said she would check back with me in 15 min. She did not come back. I felt asleep in that fetus position again and this time I woke up with a bad cramp at my left leg. Yet I needed to go to bathroom, the cramp was too bad to walk. So I stepped back to seat. When I tried again the second time, the other front leg got cramp. This time I dare not move but massaged myself. For all these 5-10 min, I called for attention. Attendants passed me by because they were carried with heavy load of blankets and stuff. Nobody answered the light. Then came landing and off board. I was asked by two attendants how I felt. I smiled and said "fine".

The customer service was very poor. I didn’t get any accommodations for my cancelled flight. I was without any sleep for 36 hours.

Flight never took off. Boarded after multiple 30 minutes interval delays for hours.. then after an hour onboard, captain announce cancellation and back on the bus to the terminal with no information and everyone to fend for self.. Emirates did absolutely nothing to communicate either electronically or announcement. It’s unprecedented I know with the flood but lack of communication creates anxiety and extra pain for staff. Emirates should do better.. no supervisors monitoring floor and passengers abusing them which isn’t right but should Have had supervisors monitoring

Worst ever. No assistance and communication from Emirates crew. No visibility of when the flight is flying. Couldn’t understand if we can go to lounge to take rest. Emirates system at a certain point said flight is not operating and suggested to take the next flight and in few minutes it suddenly opened the gate for boarding. unsupportive and rude crew. Worst experience ever. Flight was delayed by 5 hours so need the compensation for that.

The customers before boarding the plane from Dubai was HORRENDOUS. The entire Emirates staff had a stick up their bum. The guy at the check in booth was rude. I don’t understand.

Not that good The crew in the plane were rim professional & almost lost in their work distribution

No entertainment u less you pay. Wish there were some free movies

Didn’t like it at all. Cabin crew unfriendly. Very bad experience.

Food is really bad, not to the Emirates standards. Coming out of Houston airport is very confusing,

Service needs to improve. Air hostess do not register flyers request and we need to keep on repeating our request to them on multiple occasions

Flight delayed by 3 hours 45 mins and no explanation given or apology. Rebooked on a flight departing to final destination 48 hrs later and baggage not delivered.

My outbound flight was grounded in Lusaka so we never made it to Paris. DO NOT fly this airline you will be stranded and your plans will be completely disrupted

Inflight entertainment with electronic charging stations can help during a long flight.

The flight was delayed with no notice. No inflight entertainment. Communication is vital in any business.

Poor communication: Flight come directly to kigali , didn’t come via mumbasa. Favouring to Rwandan passenger to move from economic to bussiness class after flight depart. Where they don’t asked other older passenger who need more comfort. Rude staff : chekin airport at Mumbai. Talking in local language (marathi) while serving and no sorry no thank you attitude.

Pros: "Seat reclining was good. Fleece blankets were warm"
Cons: "Blankets had a really bad smell Food options were very limited - even bread was eggless"
Pros: "Helpful friendly crew, reasonable ticket prices."
Cons: "Luggage was delayed by 24 hours, customer service desk in Johannesburg EXTREMELY helpful, in Kigali they were clueless. Transit area very crowded, humid and stuffy."

Very bad. Linda the hostess was very rude all the time

Very bad, Linda the hostess was very rude all the time

The flight SA227 on 2nd March Sao Paulo to Cape Town was delayed by 3 hours. All other flights leaving Sao Paulo left on time. We were told that we were waiting for push back and a routing from Air traffic control. I don't believe this, what was the real reason for the flight delay?

I think more immigration officers at Or Tambo- I spent 90 mins in a queue before I can assisted and most people missed their appointments and meetings

Not sure it was a basic airline so nothing much to like but what was annoying was they delayed so much we missed our connecting flight and we had to almost fight to be out on the next flight and also even get food

Everything the crew werr nice and helpful plus the food was good

First row in business class is terrible - no storage space with video screen folded down between seats. Entertainment system didn't show flight info...

At the last minute as I boarded the airplane they made me check my carry on bag. When I arrived my Apple Watch, sunglasses, and medications had been stolen. I find this absolutely unacceptable. I will never fly with SAA again.

Cons: "It’s a hop and a skip, just 2 1/2 hours. But. Nice flight"
Pros: "Courteous crew"
Cons: "Entertainment console only partially working. Toilet vacant/occupied indicator not working fully."

Not good. Expected a lot more as far as excellence.

I staff or crew they were very friendly and humbly, they done theirs service very well, I appreciate them and thank you to the company or Qatar 🇶🇦 Government for providing as good service in their flight ,once again, thank you 😊 🙏 😀 😉 👍

My seat that I booked over a year ago and some other passenger was sitting in it. They said they could not walk and they would not move. I was with my young kid and the crew did nothing to accommodate that. Just disappointed that the airline accepts that excuse from a passenger.

Wore experience due to delay and took me 3 days to reach my destination.

They have misplaced my one checked bag which I have not received in Philadelphia and have lodged complaint with American Airlines, the staff of Indigo was rude with us, at the checking counter, I think she purposely withheld my one of the checked bag, because the American Airlines staff told me that bag was not received at Doha airport. Kindly help me with one of my checked bag to get it. My flight was from Mumbai to Doha and then Doha to Philadelphia.

I liked the overall service and comfort. The only annoying thing was paying for excess baggage at the airport. They have limited options and they don't take all cards.

Boarding procedures are very tiring. We have to clear security twice for our connecting flights from Doha. Also every time we board flights we have to show boarding passes 5-6 times.

Very very bad.. more than 48 hr I didn’t received my baggage yet

You're like a poor man's Emirates Airlines. The Asian vegetarian food was awful. The entertainment selection was very limited and not contemporary at all. The seats were cramped. There was no plug for charging my phone (I refuse to plug into a USB port - A security risk). The plane itself was aged.

The qatar airways flights were great, the code share with Indigo could have been a lot better. There is no option for web check in, there is not information on the tickets for the INDIGO PNR this caused a problem with security letting us into the airport. The indigo staff did not even want us to line up before they opened the counters. There is not option on the indigo flgith to request special meals.

Choice of Vegetarian Food in Economy class needs overhaul improvement

The food could be better, the beef was quite tough. The crew were friendly and helpful on this flight, which has not being my experience on other Ethiopian flights.

The flight was one hour late. The food is mediocre and the screen was broken

It is just ok, the sits are very uncomfortable, the temperature too low and there weren’t blankets. The food is mediocre and there are no screens to watch movies.

Flight was smooth but unnecessary long because we had to refuel at FCO Rome. Air hostesses service and response to call light could be better. Both planes were old with broken seat arms and toilets. Why Africans had to be given the farthest Gates is what baffles me and why we have to pay for Aisle seats I found really strange. Is there ever an end to ripping people off even after paying over $2300 for one seat.

On my return flight the TV did not work the entire flight! They knew it wasn’t working but they let me sit there. The guy sitting nièce to me told me he was ok the previous flight and it wasn’t working. This is business class by the way!

Same but worse than international. The inter African flights are worse.

The entertainment (movies) blockbuster and classics never change. I am a frequent Ethiopian flyer and this should be addressed. Not much changed from my summer flight and my December flight. It is annoying - surely you can update the selections more often. Same with food options. It becomes extremely boring to be offered the same exact meals from Washington to Addis to Maputo every trip, each time. AS

Entertainment was very poor. Couldn’t watch anything. Ear pieces were the wrong type .

The check in staff was amazing. Best customer service! The plane was old! My entertainment on the first flight didn't work at all, in my seat or in the seat next to me. The bathroom doors were old and troublesome. One of the bathrooms, the whole sink panel was broken. Everything felt old and falling apart. The airline stewardesses were amazing and quite hospitable. When there were delays, they kept us well informed. Transit was GREAT! I wasn't sure how I would make it to my next flight in 1 1/2 hours but the security lines were short and efficient. The C gates in Addis Ababa were CROWDED! That whole space downstairs was too crowded and challenging to manuever. I usually fly Ethiopian within Africa and was interested to see how the experience would be intercontinental. Overall, I would choose it again if it was cheaper than Delta/Air France or Lufthansa/KLM. I wouldn't make it a first choice if the prices were the same because the planes are so old! The food and entertainment also weren't as good. Good selection of movies but as I mentioned, on the first flight they didn't work at all (I slept so it was okay) and the 2nd flight it was glitchy. All in all, I didn't hate it but it would be a first choice only if it's cheaper.

Book Cheap South Africa Plane Tickets

Recent return flight deals

4/7Thu
1 stopKenya Airways
10h 50mDXB-JNB
12/7Fri
1 stopKenya Airways
28h 30mJNB-DXB
AED 1,792
26/5Sun
1 stopKenya Airways
16h 55mDXB-JNB
3/6Mon
1 stopKenya Airways
10h 40mJNB-DXB
AED 1,807
12/6Wed
1 stopEthiopian Air
12h 45mDXB-JNB
12/7Fri
1 stopEthiopian Air
14h 45mJNB-DXB
AED 1,851
26/6Wed
1 stopEthiopian Air
10h 40mDXB-JNB
10/7Wed
1 stopEthiopian Air
10h 25mJNB-DXB
AED 1,858
16/10Wed
1 stopQatar Airways
13h 15mAUH-JNB
20/10Sun
1 stopQatar Airways
12h 50mJNB-AUH
AED 1,877
24/9Tue
1 stopQatar Airways
31h 05mAUH-JNB
13/10Sun
1 stopQatar Airways
12h 10mJNB-AUH
AED 1,899
27/5Mon
directEmirates
8h 10mDXB-JNB
3/6Mon
directEmirates
8h 20mJNB-DXB
AED 2,284
15/5Wed
directEmirates
8h 10mDXB-JNB
11/9Wed
directEmirates
8h 00mJNB-DXB
AED 2,372
22/5Wed
directSouth African
8h 20mDXB-JNB
28/5Tue
directSouth African
8h 20mJNB-DXB
AED 3,081
18/5Sat
directSouth African
8h 10mDXB-JNB
18/5Sat
directSouth African
8h 15mJNB-DXB
AED 3,125

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Recent one-way flight deals

16/5Thu
1 stopEgypt Air
16h 40mAUH-JNB
AED 970
11/5Sat
1 stopEgypt Air
21h 15mDXB-JNB
AED 988
27/5Mon
1 stopQatar Airways
18h 45mDXB-JNB
AED 1,153
24/6Mon
1 stopQatar Airways
13h 30mDXB-JNB
AED 1,161
23/6Sun
1 stopEthiopian Air
10h 40mDXB-JNB
AED 1,186
25/6Tue
1 stopEthiopian Air
10h 40mDXB-JNB
AED 1,208
9/6Sun
directEmirates
8h 20mDXB-JNB
AED 2,200
26/5Sun
directEmirates
8h 10mDXB-JNB
AED 2,218
23/6Sun
directSouth African
8h 10mDXB-JNB
AED 2,534
27/6Thu
directSouth African
8h 10mDXB-JNB
AED 2,538

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Last minute flights to South Africa

Last minute flight, train and bus deals

8/5Wed
multi-stopEgypt Air
32h 45mSHJ-JNB
22/5Wed
multi-stopEgypt Air
26h 10mJNB-SHJ
AED 1,844
9/5Thu
multi-stopKenya Airways
10h 55mDXB-JNB
22/5Wed
multi-stopKenya Airways
15h 15mJNB-DXB
AED 1,847
9/5Thu
multi-stopQatar Airways
14h 35mSHJ-JNB
22/5Wed
multi-stopQatar Airways
17h 30mJNB-SHJ
AED 1,891
10/5Fri
multi-stopQatar Airways
18h 25mAUH-JNB
13/5Mon
multi-stopQatar Airways
30h 40mJNB-AUH
AED 1,906
9/5Thu
multi-stopEthiopian Air
17h 35mDXB-JNB
22/5Wed
multi-stopEthiopian Air
15h 10mJNB-DXB
AED 1,910
9/5Thu
directEmirates
8h 20mDXB-JNB
22/5Wed
directEmirates
8h 20mJNB-DXB
AED 2,259
9/5Thu
multi-stopEthiopian Air
12h 05mDXB-CPT
22/5Wed
multi-stopEthiopian Air
11h 35mCPT-DXB
AED 2,417
9/5Thu
multi-stopEmirates
23h 25mDXB-JNB
22/5Wed
directEmirates
8h 15mJNB-DXB
AED 3,041
9/5Thu
directSouth African
8h 20mDXB-JNB
22/5Wed
directSouth African
8h 00mJNB-DXB
AED 3,103
9/5Thu
directSouth African
8h 20mDXB-DUR
12/5Sun
directSouth African
8h 20mDUR-DXB
AED 3,221

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Flights to South Africa

Return flight deals:

South Africa - United Arab Emirates

Cabin classes:

AED 11,653
AED 13,375
AED 2,108