International Flights from OR Tambo Airport | Routes & Visa Info (JNB)
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
Guide to international flights from OR Tambo Airport – major airlines, long-haul routes, Terminal A/B processing and South African visa requirements for visitors.
International Flights from OR Tambo International Airport
As one of the few airports anywhere in the world offering scheduled direct passenger flights to all six inhabited continents, OR Tambo’s international network is by far the largest and most significant of any South African airport – and the continent’s primary gateway connecting Africa to the rest of the world.
How International Travel Works at OR Tambo
International departures are processed through Terminal A, where you’ll check in, clear outbound immigration and pass through security before reaching the international departure pier — home to OR Tambo’s main duty-free mall, premium lounges and the bulk of the airport’s most upscale dining, including Marble Restaurant.
International arrivals come into Terminal B, where you’ll clear immigration, collect baggage, and pass through customs. The Gautrain station is directly inside Terminal B, making onward travel into Johannesburg or Pretoria immediate after you clear customs.
Given the scale of international operations at JNB, arrive at least 3 hours before an international departure to allow for check-in, immigration and security processing.
Major International Airlines at OR Tambo
South African Airways — the national carrier and OR Tambo’s home hub, a Star Alliance member with extensive codeshare partnerships extending connectivity well beyond SAA’s own network.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic — direct services to London, among the most established long-haul routes from JNB.
Emirates and Qatar Airways — extensive Middle East connectivity with onward connections across Asia, Europe and beyond via Dubai and Doha.
Lufthansa and KLM — direct European connections to Frankfurt and Amsterdam.
Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air France, Cathay Pacific, Delta, EgyptAir, China Eastern and Qantas — rounding out OR Tambo’s intercontinental network, connecting Johannesburg directly to Asia, the Americas, the Middle East and Australia.
Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Air Tanzania, Air Zimbabwe, LAM Mozambique and RwandAir — the dominant regional African carriers, connecting JNB to capitals across the continent, generally processed through OR Tambo’s regional facility (Terminal E) rather than the main international terminal.
Star Alliance, SkyTeam and Oneworld at OR Tambo
OR Tambo is a key hub for Star Alliance, through South African Airways’ membership, giving SAA passengers access to an extensive global network and lounge reciprocity. Emirates, Qatar Airways and British Airways all maintain extensive codeshare agreements at JNB, further enhancing connectivity for travellers using frequent flyer programmes across Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld to maximise benefits and lounge access — see our full lounges guide for which alliance memberships unlock which facilities.
Do I Need a Visa for South Africa?
Visa requirements depend entirely on your nationality. As general guidance: citizens of the UK, USA, Australia, Canada and most EU countries do not require a visa for tourism or business visits of up to 90 days. You will need a valid passport with at least 30 days of validity beyond your departure date and a minimum of two blank pages. Citizens of India, China, Nigeria and Pakistan, among others, do need a visa — apply in advance through your nearest South African embassy or consulate before travelling, as visas are not available on arrival for nationalities requiring one.
This information is general guidance only — always confirm your specific visa requirement with the South African Department of Home Affairs or your nearest South African diplomatic mission well ahead of travel, since requirements can change.
Connecting Through OR Tambo
If you’re connecting between an international flight and a domestic or regional flight at OR Tambo, build in generous connection time given the distances between terminals (A, B, C, D and E) and the scale of immigration and security processing — this is not an airport where a 45-minute connection between an international arrival and a domestic departure is advisable. Use the terminal guide to understand exactly which terminals your connection involves before you travel.
FAQs — International Flights from OR Tambo
FAQ A complete guide to O.R. Tambo International Airport – airlines, parking, facilities, transport options, charter services, check-in tips and more.
1. Which terminal handles international departures at OR Tambo? Terminal A.
2. Which terminal handles international arrivals at OR Tambo? Terminal B, which also houses the Gautrain station.
3. Do I need a visa to visit South Africa? It depends on your nationality. Citizens of the UK, USA, Australia, Canada and most EU countries do not need a visa for visits up to 90 days. Citizens of India, China, Nigeria, Pakistan and several other countries do need a visa, arranged in advance. Always confirm your specific requirement with the South African Department of Home Affairs.
4. How early should I arrive for an international flight at OR Tambo? At least 3 hours before departure.
5. Which airlines fly direct from OR Tambo to London? British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, alongside South African Airways.
6. Does OR Tambo have flights to all continents? Yes, it is one of the few airports in the world offering scheduled direct passenger flights to all six inhabited continents.
7. Is OR Tambo a Star Alliance hub? Yes, through South African Airways’ Star Alliance membership, giving extensive global network access and lounge reciprocity to SAA passengers and Star Alliance members.
8. How do regional African flights differ from international long-haul at OR Tambo? Regional African flights (Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and similar carriers) are generally processed through Terminal E, separate from the main international terminal used for intercontinental long-haul flights.
9. What documents do I need for international travel through OR Tambo? A valid passport with at least 30 days of validity beyond your departure date and a minimum of two blank pages, plus a visa if required for your nationality.
10. How much connection time should I allow at OR Tambo between an international and domestic flight? Build in generous time given the distances between terminals and the scale of immigration and security processing — a short connection is genuinely risky at an airport this size.
