Emirates’ Third Daily Cape Town Service Is Now Operating
Source-checked update: This article brings together information checked against primary sources and independent reporting available at publication time. Full source links are listed at the end of the article.
Emirates is now operating a third daily service between Dubai and Cape Town, increasing flight choice on one of the airline’s key South African routes. The new frequency began on July 1, 2026, and remains in operation, giving travelers more flexibility when planning journeys between the two cities or connecting onward through Dubai.
What Happened
The additional service operates as flight EK778/EK779. Its first arrival, EK778, reached Cape Town International Airport at 18:05 on July 1, marking the start of Emirates’ third daily Dubai–Cape Town frequency.
The service is currently operated with an Airbus A350. This introduced the aircraft type to Emirates’ South African network and gives travelers booking the new frequency a different aircraft option from the airline’s existing services, subject to operational changes.
Emirates has made tickets available through its own booking channels and travel agents. The service is therefore available for direct booking rather than being only a planned or announced future addition.
The launch forms part of Emirates’ broader service between Dubai and Cape Town. The additional flight is intended to provide more choice for travelers traveling between the United Arab Emirates and South Africa, as well as passengers using Dubai for onward connections.
What This Means for Travelers
The main benefit is flexibility. A third daily flight gives passengers more opportunity to choose a departure that fits their plans, particularly when comparing arrival times, connection windows or return options. It may also make it easier to build a Cape Town itinerary around other travel arrangements without relying on one of two daily departures.
For passengers connecting through Dubai, the extra frequency creates another potential routing option. The practical value will depend on the exact dates, available seats and connection timings shown at the time of booking, but the additional service broadens the choices available on the route.
Travelers should also note that the aircraft currently assigned to the new service is an Airbus A350. Aircraft assignments can be operational details rather than permanent guarantees, so anyone selecting a flight partly because of the aircraft type should confirm the latest information before departure.
The new service does not mean that every departure on the route will have identical availability or connection options. Fares, seats and onward itineraries can vary by date, and passengers connecting beyond Dubai should check the full itinerary rather than focusing only on the Cape Town–Dubai sector.
What Travelers Should Do Now
Travelers planning to fly between Cape Town and Dubai should compare all available Emirates departures for their dates. The third daily service may provide a more convenient option, but the best choice will depend on the departure offered, the return journey and any onward connection.
Check the itinerary directly with Emirates or a travel agent before booking. Confirm the flight number, travel date, departure and arrival details, connection time in Dubai and the availability of any onward sector included in the same itinerary.
If the Airbus A350 is important to your decision, verify the aircraft shown for the specific flight close to travel. The aircraft currently operating the new frequency is confirmed as an A350, but travelers should avoid treating an aircraft assignment as a permanent guarantee.
Passengers with existing bookings should review their confirmed itinerary rather than assuming the new frequency changes their flight. If a schedule, connection or booking question arises, contact Emirates or the relevant travel agent directly before traveling.
Travelers should also allow for the normal possibility that operational details can change. Checking the booking and current flight information before leaving for the airport is a sensible step, particularly for passengers with tight onward plans.
What Is Confirmed
Emirates’ third daily Dubai–Cape Town service began operating on July 1, 2026.
The service operates as EK778/EK779 and is currently ongoing.
The first arrival of EK778 reached Cape Town International Airport at 18:05 on July 1, 2026.
The new frequency provides additional choice, flexibility and onward connection options through Dubai.
The service is currently operated with an Airbus A350, and tickets are available through Emirates and travel agents.
Sources
Primary sources
- Emirates arrives in Cape Town with a third daily service and its newest aircraft
- Emirates and South African Airways enhance codeshare agreement, building on 28 years of partnership
Independent reporting
Editorial note
This Travel News article was prepared by the VibrantGateways Team using publicly available information and primary sources where available. AI-assisted tools may be used during research and drafting, with publication subject to our editorial verification process.
Links identified as “Optional source” are provided for additional context only. They have not been independently verified by the VibrantGateways editorial team, and VibrantGateways is not responsible for their accuracy, completeness, availability, or subsequent changes.
Travel information can change quickly. Schedules, routes, prices, entry requirements, availability and other time-sensitive details should be confirmed with the relevant official provider or authority before making travel decisions.
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