Qatar Airways confirmed the daily Doha to Cape Town service begins September 15 2026 using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners configured with 281 seats in three classes. Flight QR1377 departs Doha at 08:15 arriving Cape Town at 17:40 with a block time of nine hours 25 minutes. The return QR1378 leaves Cape Town at 19:40 reaching Doha at 07:05 the next day.
Introductory fares start at 685 US dollars round-trip in economy and 2450 dollars in business class booked by July 31. The airline projects 102000 passengers on the route in the first year. Cape Town International Airport has upgraded its international terminal to handle the added traffic.
The route fills a gap left when other carriers reduced African frequencies after 2024. Qatar already serves Johannesburg and Durban, making Cape Town its third South African destination. Tourism South Africa data indicates Middle East visitors spent 312 million dollars in 2025.
What this means for you
Book early for September departures to secure the lowest fares before they rise in August. Connect easily from 40 European cities via Doha with one ticket. Business class passengers gain access to the new Al Safwa lounge at Cape Town opening in August.
Allow extra time for security at Cape Town due to increased passenger volumes. Families can request bassinet seats on the 787-9 by contacting reservations 48 hours before departure.
The schedule supports same-day connections to East Asia and Australia making multi-destination itineraries more convenient. Monitor the airline app for any schedule adjustments during the first month of operations.