Direct (nonstop) flights from East London to Cape Town

2 airlines fly nonstop from East London (ELS) to Cape Town International (CPT). It's 536 miles (863 km), about 1h 40m in the air. Operated by CemAir, Safair.

ELS
East London
🇿🇦 East London, South Africa
CPT
Cape Town International
🇿🇦 Cape Town, South Africa
Flight Time
1h 40m
Distance
536 mi
863 km
CO₂/pax
99 kg
−129 kg vs. layover
Airlines
2
CemAir +1
Time Diff
Same timezone
Operated by CemAir CemAir Safair Safair

Route data last updated: May 26, 2026

Airlines with non-stop flights

CemAir 5Z CemAir
Route
ELS → CPT
Flight Time
1h 40m
Distance
536 mi
Safair FA Safair
Route
ELS → CPT
Flight Time
1h 40m
Distance
536 mi

Alternative Routes

Other ways to fly from East London to Cape Town with one stop · direct emits 99 kg CO₂ per passenger

ELS DUR (Durban) CPT
Leg 1: 1h 15m (305 mi) Leg 2: 2h 10m (795 mi) Total: ~3h 25m 🍃 228 kg CO₂ (+130% vs. direct)
Leg 1
ELS → DUR
1h 15m · 305 mi
View ELS to DUR flights →
Leg 2
DUR → CPT
2h 10m · 795 mi
View DUR to CPT flights →
ELS JNB (Johannesburg) CPT
Leg 1: 1h 30m (475 mi) Leg 2: 2h 15m (790 mi) Total: ~3h 45m 🍃 259 kg CO₂ (+162% vs. direct)
Leg 1
ELS → JNB
1h 30m · 475 mi
View ELS to JNB flights →
Leg 2
JNB → CPT
2h 15m · 790 mi
View JNB to CPT flights →
ELS HLA (Lanseria) CPT
Leg 1: 1h 35m (489 mi) Leg 2: 2h 15m (786 mi) Total: ~3h 50m 🍃 261 kg CO₂ (+164% vs. direct)
Leg 1
ELS → HLA
1h 35m · 489 mi
View ELS to HLA flights →
Leg 2
HLA → CPT
2h 15m · 786 mi
View HLA to CPT flights →

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the direct flight from East London to Cape Town?

A nonstop flight from East London (ELS) to Cape Town (CPT) takes approximately 1 hours and 40 minutes. The distance is 536 miles (863 km).

Which airlines fly nonstop from East London to Cape Town?

2 airlines: CemAir, Safair.

Is there a nonstop flight from East London to Cape Town?

Yes. 2 airlines: CemAir, Safair.

How far is East London from Cape Town?

The flight distance from East London to Cape Town is 536 miles (863 km), measured as the great-circle (shortest air) distance.

What type of aircraft flies from East London to Cape Town?

At 1h 40m, this route typically uses narrow-body aircraft — Boeing 737 or Airbus A320. Varies by airline.

What is the carbon footprint of a flight from East London to Cape Town?

Roughly 99 kg CO2 per passenger one-way. That's about the same as driving 495 km.

Is the return flight from Cape Town to East London also nonstop?

Yes — nonstop flights run both ways. Flight time may differ slightly due to wind patterns.

When is the cheapest time to fly from East London to Cape Town?

Midweek flights (Tue/Wed) outside holiday peaks are usually cheapest. 3-6 weeks ahead is a good window for this route. Use "Check Prices" above to compare.

How early should I arrive at East London for this flight?

1.5-2 hours for domestic. Add more time during holidays or busy travel weekends.