Norse Atlantic Will Fly From London to Cape Town in October

Norse Atlantic will begin nonstop flights between its London Gatwick (LGW) hub and Cape Town (CPT) starting October 28, 2024.

Let’s take a look at this exciting news!

Norse’s First Route to Africa

Norse will fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft between London and Cape Town 3x weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

Norse’s arrival will bring some nice competition on the route. While there are currently no direct flights between London Gatwick and Cape Town, British Airways operates a nonstop service daily from nearby London Heathrow (LHR). Additionally, Virgin Atlantic offers seasonal service between the 2 cities.

“By breaking the duopoly on this route, we are not only expanding travel options for consumers but also driving down costs and putting the customer back in the pilot’s seat.”

Bjorn Tore Larsen, CEO and founder of Norse Atlantic Airways

This news comes at an exciting time for Norse. The airline recently announced that Las Vegas (LAS) would become its sixth U.S. destination, beginning on September 12, 2024. Norse will operate the route 3x per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays until January 2025.

For U.S.-based travelers, there is the option of flying nonstop to Cape Town from Washington (IAD) on United Airlines. Prices can be cheaper when booking a 1-stop multi-city ticket from the U.S. to Europe and then onward to CPT, especially in premium economy. However, the hassle of the separate itineraries means this ticket works best for travelers originating from Europe.

How To Book

While the route doesn’t begin until late October, flights are now on sale. You can find economy tickets as low as $619 round-trip.

Tickets in Norse’s premium economy (similar to U.S. domestic first class) start at around $1,500 round-trip. Premium economy seats offer a 43-inch pitch, and passengers receive perks like an amenity kit and complimentary meals and drinks.

Once you’ve selected your travel dates, make sure book your flight with a credit card to maximize flight purchases. Some of our favorites here at Upgraded Points include The Platinum Card^® from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

Keep in mind that Norse Atlantic is a low-cost carrier. That means it unbundles services like seat selection, baggage, and even meal service to keep costs low. If you want these services, you’ll pay an extra fee for them.

Final Thoughts

Flights from London to Cape Town are big news for the low-cost Norse Atlantic, which will now serve more than a dozen destinations on 4 continents. With cheap economy and premium economy fares, this is an excellent chance to visit Cape Town at a steep discount!