South African Airways to Launch Direct Cape Town-Mauritius Flights – Here’s What to Expect

Published on July 29, 2025

South African Airways (SAA) is scheduled to operate its first ever non-stop flight between Cape Town and Mauritius on December 9, 2025, a significant step in the airline’s strategic growth plan. The new service will further improve connectivity for Western Cape travellers as it enables tourism between two of Africa’s top tourist destinations. This flight will provide passengers with more choice than ever before and will be operated with world-class service and convenient schedules. So lets take a look at the details of this exciting new service and find out what passengers can expect.

A First in History: The Inaugural Flight Between Cape Town and Mauritius

South African Airways recently started operating the first direct service from Cape Town to Mauritius, giving passengers a novel way to access the tropical paradise in just five hours. This service not only complements SAA’s network, but also adds value to those travellers wishing to discover the beauty of the two countries.

The launch of the new route is a significant milestone for the airline as it will not only provide South African travellers with direct access to Mauritius’s picturesque beaches, rich culture and luxury resorts, but it will also promote tourism growth for the Western Cape.

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From December 9, 2025, SAA will offer three flights per week between Cape Town and Mauritius. Flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, at two departure times most convenient for various travel schedules.

Adjustment for High Demand Seasonality

Between mid-January and mid-March 2026 the service will be reduced in frequency to twice versus three times weekly to cater for the seasonal demand. This change makes sense to fit into holiday planning for peak travel times when the interest to fly is premium. The airline is all about affording customers flexibility and ease during busy travel times.

Enhancing Tourism and Connectivity

Cape Town-Mauritius is not only about air travel—it’s about enabling people to meet each other and encouraging regional tourism. The new service is expected to enhance accessibility between South Africa and Mauritius both known for their tourism attractions. In the case of travelers who want beach escapes, delve into the culture of Mauritius, take in the breathtaking views of Cape Winelands and Table Mountain, the new flight presents one of the most easiest ways to get the best of both worlds.

SAA’s Chief Executive Officer, Professor John Lamola, emphasised the significance of the link, stating, “This is a very exciting development for us as an airline and we are thrilled to have both Cape Town and Mauritius as part of our network. Lamola added that the service would also serve to promote the long-term pan-regional goals set out by South Africa and Mauritius, reaffirming the carrier’s commitment to growing leisure traffic across the market.

Comfort & World-Class Service at SAA Dutiful Prancing.

Guests travelling on the new Cape Town to Mauritius route can look forward to the SAA warm hospitality, advanced service and outstanding safety features. South African Airways is renowned for its customer focus, and has done so for decades as a standard bearer for a best quality flying experience. Travellers will experience a comfortable ride with premium services, friendly crew and inflight entertainment.

This new route is more than just a path to a destination; it has become a destination unto itself. Whether travelling for business or pleasure, SAA’s outstanding reputation for quality service, consistently turns a fine flight into a fantastic one.

What This All Means for South African Tourism

This direct link between Cape Town and Mauritius is perhaps a good news for the tourism industry in South Africa. The island, famous for its luxury resorts, unspoilt beaches and cultural offerings will now be more accessible to South Africans, increasing tourism as well as the trading relations between the two countries. For Cape Town, this new service will translate into further increasing numbers of international visitors exploring the city’s world famous sights and natural wonders.

SAA’s offering also combines tourism for both regions, with travelers that are motivated to experience everything that Cape Town has to offer, from a boho craft beer meander to an evening gala at the arts and theatre to sampling age-old wines at top of the range vineyards, followed by chilling and sun tanning on the beaches of Mauritius.

More options for travelers.

South African Airways direct flights between Cape Town and Mauritius – game changer for regional travel. Boosting convenient schedules, cutting edge services and providing effective connectivity to and from Africa’s two most coveted destinations for tourism and business success, this new route gives travelers a world of choice. With the airline increasing the scope of its network and seasonal demand, this trip from Cape Town to Mauritius is just one illustration of how SAA is committed to boosting connectivity and providing our customers with more options.”

Whether you’re considering to visit Mauritius or Cape Town next, this new direct service lets you enjoy two amazing destinations with minimal hassle.