Flights from East London to Johannesburg

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Compare East London to Johannesburg flights

If you’re flying from East London, in the Eastern Cape, to Johannesburg, use Alternative Airlines to book your flight today, travel tomorrow, and pay later.

With 3 airlines to choose from, fly direct from King Phalo Airport (ELS), formerly East London Airport, to O.R. Tambo (JNB) in around 90 minutes.

Pick from 40+ ways to pay, including pay later options such as Payflex, PayJustNow and Happy Pay. And you can check out in South African rand for ultimate flexibility.

East London to Johannesburg at a glance

Flight time - Around 90 minutes
Departure airport - King Phalo Airport (ELS)
Arrival airport - O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Airlines - FlySafair, Airlink, CemAir
Direct flights - Yes, around 43 a week
Most popular day to fly - Friday
Most popular month to fly - January

Airlines that fly from East London to Johannesburg

Three airlines fly direct from East London to Johannesburg. These are FlySafair, Airlink and CemAir.

FlySafair offers frequent low-cost flights. On the other hand, CemAir and Airlink are both full-service regional airlines, giving you options on who to fly with. Something to note is that CemAir flies weekdays only.

Here’s an overview of their weekly flights below. 👇

Airline	Days	Airline type
FlySafair	Daily	Low-cost
Airlink	Daily	Full-service regional
CemAir	Weekdays	Full-service regional
Flight days: Google Flights, correct as of September 2026. Schedules can change seasonally.

How to find cheap flights from East London to Johannesburg?

Based on Alternative Airlines data, 42% of searches for flights from East London to Johannesburg are within a week of the departure date. When you book last-minute flights, cheaper fares are often already taken, meaning you can end up paying more.

This is especially important if you're travelling in January, the most popular travel month, with 13% of searches for then. For this reason, it's worth booking ahead wherever possible to avoid being left with expensive fares.

This is where we can help. With buy now, pay later, it's easier to secure a lower fare by booking in advance. Then, all you have to do is pay the cost in manageable instalments over time.

To go one step further, you can use our Best Fare Finder to find a price that suits you. The best part is that you can fly when you're ready, not just when you can afford it upfront.

Based on 12 months of Alternative Airlines search data of flight searches for East London (ELS) to Johannesburg (JNB), from 21 September 2025 to 20 September 2026.

Departure and arrival airports

Departure

King Phalo Airport is the main airport serving East London in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province. Located just outside the city, it offers a convenient starting point for flights to Johannesburg and other South African destinations.

Arrival

Flights from East London arrive at O.R Tambo International Airport, around 25 km from Johannesburg city center. The airport welcomes flights from Durban to Johannesburg, another popular domestic route. O.R Tambo is also home to one of South Africa's busiest routes, Johannesburg to Cape Town.

Once you land, you can easily take the Gautrain into Sandton, which continues to the city centre. For a direct route into the city, you can get a hire car or taxi.

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Fly to Johannesburg now, pay later

If you live in South Africa and are looking to avoid high upfront costs, we've got you covered. With three buy now, pay later options available, pay in rand, jet off and spread the cost of your flight.

These are the providers:

Payflex - Split your payment into 2, 3 or 4 interest-free instalments.

PayJustNow - Spread the cost of your flight over 3 interest-free instalments.

Happy Pay - Split the cost of your flight over 2 months or in 3 bi-weekly payments. Both are interest-free.

Eligibility criteria apply.

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Frequently asked questions

How much is a flight from East London to Johannesburg?

The cost of your flight depends on a few factors, such as the season, the airline you choose, and the day you fly.

For example, January is the busiest month, so fares could be higher.

Compare flights from East London to Johannesburg by using our search tool at the top of the page.

How long is the flight from East London to Johannesburg?

A direct flight from East London to Johannesburg is around 90 minutes, making it a quick and convenient way to travel between the two cities.

Is East London Airport the same as King Phalo Airport?

Yes. East London Airport (ELS) and King Phalo Airport are the same airport.

The airport was renamed from East London Airport to King Phalo Airport in 2021.

What time is the last flight from East London to Johannesburg?

The latest departure times from East London to Johannesburg can vary by airline and day, so check the available flights for your chosen travel date to find a time that suits your plans.

What other South African domestic routes are popular?

Last updated: October 2026