R11 596 Find Cheap Flights from Johannesburg to California

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from OR Tambo to California departing on 30/10. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Johannesburg to California.
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Johannesburg to California.
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Cheap Flights from OR Tambo to California

Cheapest return prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours
Los Angeles
Los Angeles1 stopR16 006
San Francisco
San Francisco1 stopR16 665
San Diego
San Diego1 stopR16 041
Los Angeles
Los Angeles1 stopR16 006
San Francisco
San Francisco1 stopR16 665
San Diego
San Diego1 stopR16 041

Book Cheap OR Tambo to California Plane Tickets

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights from OR Tambo to California that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from OR Tambo to California

Fri, Feb 13 - Tue, Feb 17
American Airlines Logo
22:00 - 15:20JNB-LAX
27h 20m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
21:45 - 10:25LAX-JNB
26h 40m2 stops
R16 006American Airlines
Find Deal
Tue, Nov 11 - Sun, Nov 16
American Airlines Logo
22:00 - 16:10JNB-SAN
28h 10m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
10:47 - 7:35SAN-JNB
34h 48m2 stops
R16 041American Airlines
Find Deal
Thu, Nov 13 - Wed, Nov 26
Turkish Airlines Logo
19:10 - 11:10JNB-LAX
26h 00m1 stop
Turkish Airlines Logo
18:45 - 10:50LAX-JNB
30h 05m1 stop
R16 457Turkish Airlines
Find Deal
Tue, Nov 11 - Tue, Nov 18
Virgin Atlantic Logo
22:00 - 16:10JNB-LAS
28h 10m1 stop
Virgin Atlantic Logo
20:45 - 8:25LAS-JNB
25h 40m1 stop
R16 665Virgin Atlantic
Find Deal
Sun, Nov 23 - Sat, Nov 29
Turkish Airlines Logo
19:05 - 16:45JNB-SFO
31h 40m1 stop
Turkish Airlines Logo
18:50 - 10:50SFO-JNB
30h 00m1 stop
R16 665Turkish Airlines
Find Deal
Tue, Nov 11 - Tue, Nov 18
Virgin Atlantic Logo
22:00 - 16:10JNB-LAS
28h 10m1 stop
Virgin Atlantic Logo
20:03 - 8:25LAS-JNB
26h 22m2 stops
R16 752Virgin Atlantic
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Sun, Nov 9 - Fri, Nov 21
United Airlines Logo
22:00 - 22:20JNB-SAN
34h 20m2 stops
United Airlines Logo
22:30 - 18:35SAN-JNB
34h 05m2 stops
R16 752United Airlines
Find Deal
Thu, Feb 19 - Mon, Mar 16
United Airlines Logo
22:00 - 17:50JNB-SFO
29h 50m2 stops
United Airlines Logo
10:35 - 18:35SFO-JNB
23h 00m1 stop
R16 752United Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Nov 8 - Sun, Nov 16
British Airways Logo
22:00 - 16:05JNB-SAN
28h 05m1 stop
British Airways Logo
18:00 - 7:35SAN-JNB
27h 35m1 stop
R17 898British Airways
Find Deal
Mon, Nov 10 - Mon, Nov 17
British Airways Logo
22:00 - 16:10JNB-SAN
28h 10m1 stop
British Airways Logo
14:55 - 7:35SAN-JNB
30h 40m2 stops
R17 933British Airways
Find Deal
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for OR Tambo to California flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from OR Tambo to California to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly, and much more.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport to California?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport to California, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport to California is February, when tickets cost R16 336 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and July, when the average cost of return tickets is R20 762 and R20 485 respectively.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Johannesburg to California?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport to California clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

If you are looking for a flight deal from Johannesburg to California, look for departures on Tuesdays and avoid leaving on a Friday, as it's usually the priciest day. When flying back from California, Monday is the cheapest day to fly and Saturday is the most expensive.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport to California?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport to California, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below-average price on a flight from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport to California, you should book around 2 weeks before departure, which saves you about 3% compared to booking last-minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 3 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonFebruary
Cheapest flightR11 093
Best time to beat the crowds (12% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (10% more expensive on average)
Flight from Johannesburg to San Francisco

FAQs - booking California flights

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Johannesburg to California?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Johannesburg to California.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Johannesburg to California?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight from Johannesburg to California is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Johannesburg to California?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly from Johannesburg to California with an airline and back with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Johannesburg to California?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying from Johannesburg to California up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • What is the cheapest time of day to fly to California?

    The cheapest time of day to fly to California is generally in the morning, when retur flights cost R16 361 on average. Morning departures are around 1% cheaper than evening flights, on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to California is generally in the afternoon, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is R22 636.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines flying from OR Tambo to California

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Johannesburg to California. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from OR Tambo to California? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7,7
KLMOverall score based on 1405 reviews
7,8Boarding
8,4Crew
7,1Entertainment
7,3Food
7,6Comfort
Airline reviews

At the airport, terrible, I do not want to even remember it. It was too humiliating for a business class passenger.

2,0 MediocreElizabeth, Oct 2025CDG - AMS
Read more KLM reviews

At the airport, terrible, I do not want to even remember it. It was too humiliating for a business class passenger.

Flight was ok but lack of communication cost me to literally beg to be put on another flight as connecting flight had departed

They forgot to serve food and the crew was very unfriendly. Never experienced such a bad KLM flight. Usually fly from Toronto. New York was different.

The immigration hall in Amsterdam was understaffed, so passport checking was slower than it should be for a major airport. They need to get the automatic readers up and running for non EU passport holders. Waiting in line after a long flight feels a bit abusive.

First of all we couldn’t check in online, then we learn at the airport we were on stand by for KLM’s mistake of overbooking. The seats were not comfy at all. Our luggage got lost.

Ad experience - been flying many years with them but they are losing out to other carriers with their service and bagage / seating policy. My 2 12-yo kids were not placed with the parent. Absurdity.

KLM remains a quality flag carrier airline which maintains its standards whilst all their competitors are lowering theirs.

The baggage drop-off in Stuttgart is bad: after online check-in you cannot use the automated baggage drop off as indicated on the website. You can use the terminals but have to cue to 1 of three open and slowly working counters to drop the bags. took about 45 minutes wait time.

Our first flight was delayed so we missed our connecting flight. However it was easy to book a later flight on their app.

Klm start boarding while somw air issue in the plan

Great staff great experience, made a 2 hour delay very bearable

Great staff, great experience, made a 2 hour delay very bearable

Food was the worst I’ve had on a VA flight. Normally it’s a lot better

I was my pleasure to fly virgin on my birthday for my first solo trip ever 🫶🏼

These are one of the older seat arrangements facing away from the windows! Not particularly convenient sets. No storage spaces. NO COAT HANGING HOOKS. Inconvenient business class seat compared to any other airlines of similar class. Staff are excellent! Extremely professional, friendly. Food is good too.

Overall, flight was excellent but check in was very slow for Premium Economy. Economy queue was shorter but we weren't allowed to use it.

The staff was not very polite but the flight was very very nice and comfortable and the entertainment was great

Great crew - old style upper class seats on the older fleet now feels dated

Premium economy more comfortable than economy, but not by much. Did was awful, do not try the omelette. Flight crew were helpful. Flight was delayed by over an hour. Overall but bad, arrived safely and thank God.

Food was excellent. Service was very good. Staff was very helpful to all passengers.

The food quality sucks. One must starve if they do not eat flesh Or wheat based products Some variety would be expected. The trivial amount of snacks and or food is inhumane

Flight was timely, relatively comfortable, with decent entertainment and food served. Only problem encountered was with the free messaging which I highly appreciate, but it did not work from iphone to non-iphones.

The internet service I paid for didn’t work at all and the flight crew was not very friendly.

Subject: Formal Complaint: Discriminatory and Unprofessional Conduct – Request for Immediate Action & Compensation Dear [Airline Customer Relations Team], I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding my recent travel experience with [Airline], which was by far the worst I have ever encountered. What occurred was not only unprofessional, but in several instances discriminatory, unsafe, and unacceptable. On the first leg of my trip, I arrived only four minutes past check-in. Instead of making any attempt to resolve the matter, your representative flatly denied me boarding and made me wait while she attended to passengers who arrived after me. By the time a manager intervened, it was too late to board, costing me time, money, and unnecessary frustration. The second leg of my trip (Chicago–San Francisco) raised even more serious concerns. From the outset, it was apparent that the staff—particularly two attendants—prioritized Caucasian passengers while dismissing African American and minority passengers. • When a Caucasian passenger in the exit row refused to comply with federal safety requirements, I, as a first responder, immediately offered to switch seats and assume the responsibility. My offer was blatantly ignored, and instead, a Caucasian passenger seated further up was chosen. This was discriminatory and deeply insulting, especially as I was actively de-escalating the situation that could have delayed the flight further. • During a lengthy tarmac delay of over 90 minutes, passengers were given conflicting and unreasonable instructions that created unnecessary distress and tension. • Throughout the flight, a visibly intoxicated passenger directly in front of me was disruptive, rude to others, failed to comply with seatbelt and electronic device rules, and yet faced no enforcement from the crew. In stark contrast, I was singled out for repeated compliance checks even though I was following every rule. This unequal treatment was so obvious that multiple passengers around me spoke up in my defense. This pattern of behavior demonstrated a clear lack of professionalism, disregard for passenger safety, and discriminatory treatment. I expect far better from an airline of your stature. As a paying customer subjected to this unacceptable treatment, I am formally requesting: 1. A full investigation into the conduct of the staff on both flights. 2. A written apology acknowledging the discriminatory and unprofessional behavior I endured. 3. Appropriate compensation for the distress, inconvenience, and mishandling of my travel. If this matter is not addressed promptly and thoroughly, I will have no choice but to escalate my complaint further, including filing with the U.S. Department of Transportation and sharing my experience through other channels. I trust [Airline] will take this complaint seriously and provide a timely resolution.

Check in was quick and easy during early hours. Flight was on time, and customer services was a plus.

I understand that the food on the airplane wouldn’t be fantastic. However, it wasn’t good at all. 😭

The flight was comfortable with the exit row and great service

Plane was crowded and even when we hit altitude, the plane was hot, not enough air flow.

1. when we went to check in, our 2 first class seats had been CANCELED and the flight was sold out. This was done without our prior knowledge. It was all we could do to restore one first class seat for my wife and I flew economy. 2, Our flight home was scheduled to leave at 10:30 pm. Due to tsunami warnings, the roads were closed and our flight status was uncertain as to whether it would leave as scheduled. It was announced that it would now leave at 11:20 pm and the roads were now open since the tsunami had come and gone. We made a mad dash to the airport and checked in. Delays were announced at 12:30 pm, 1:30 am, 2:30 am and at 3:30 am it was canceled. Since this was a flight due to natural (tsunami) causes, there was no compensation. We were told to return at 1:00 pm the next day and our baggage would be kept on the plane since the same plane was going to leave at 1:00 pm. We had to return to our hotel for the rest of the night. The same plane did not leave at 1:00 pm and our baggage was gone! All in all, it was a miserable performance by UA. Information was hard to obtain and no one knew what was going on and what was going to happen. Hundreds of passengers slept on the floor, chairs, etc. No food and no water was made available to the passengers. It was a situation where UA could care less what was going on. As a one million mile flyer, I had not experienced anything like this before and it was hugely disappointing!

I found the staff to not be very attentive at all. When paying for Business Class you expect a certain type of service and that was not found. They were almost rude even

The best airline for international travel in terms of value you get in business class (service/cost)

I liked the overall flight experience. However, Turkish officials could do a better job at guiding non-Turkish speakers to their connecting flight gates in such a huge & vast airport.

Very small and cramped aisles and seats. Food was poor but the fresh hot roll and hummus was good. No cans of soda given but they had small bottles of water. Crew was nice and pleasant and kept bathroom clean.

We couldn’t fly to Chicago on our booked flight. The flight was overbooked.

Small seat space for 13 hours flight, they charged for baggage , very bad quality of food,

I was sitting almost in the back, the seats are very tight and there’s no legroom, it’s uncomfortable for a long distance

Absolute worst airline. Charged us $720 to check 4 bags (2 of which were carry-on). Entertainment systems didnt work. And on a 12 hour flight they served 2 meals and never once came around outside of those 2 meals with a beverage or cup of water. Will never fly them again.

Took forever to board. They made announcements without the loudspeaker and since the waiting room was full of screaming kids, no one could hear what they were saying. The business class sleeper seats were designed for tall skinny people. When partially reclined there was nowhere to rest my feet because they did not reach the footrest. and when fully reclined there wasn't room at my sides for my arms. Definitely one of the worst sleeper seats I have ever had.

About an hour delay but we made it to Chicago. I feel that the smaller connecting flights are the ones that cause the delays on the bigger planes that fly international.

Amazing trip! No delays, no broken or lost luggage, and amazing food.

Crew service was poor and very little difference between premium economy and economy. Disappointed.

My bags never made it on the flight and I now have to wait for them to arrive hopefully tomorrow. You can’t even track your bags in the app to see where they are since they didn’t arrive. You have to file a claim and then wait for them to inform you when you will receive your bag. We were already delayed for an hour due to baggage so I don’t understand how my bag didn’t make the flight.

One of the worst experience given the middle seat even asked for the change no one honored,boarded at the end and overall one of the worst experience

It was good although our flight to the UK was cancelled and rescheduled for two days later. This was after we were already seated on the plane. We missed the first leg of our trip. BA did put us up at a hotel and paid for our meals but we lost our hotel costs in Glasgow.

The crew was very nice and pleasant. We were very reluctant to book our flight with British Airlines because we had bad experience with their flight attendants on the previous trips, they were rude and not helpful.

I am a 25+ years American Airlines member. British Airways is simply above and beyond in every customer satisfaction category.

The seat pads are past there sell by date now and are uncomfotable. Also, with screens in the back of the seat, the seats shouldnt be able to recline as this puts rhe screen in your face.

1. The website didn’t allow me to checkin from London as I have Bangladesh passport with US permanent resident card. This pushed me to sit with my wife in the middle of two aisle seats, terrible experience! 2. BA should allow within 24 hours to checkin with other passport holders to choose better seats. A 2nd verification of travel documents can be done at the desk about immigration status. 3. Food options were poor for vegetarian passengers, try to introduce healthy options avoiding carb-dense food ingredients.

Cabin crew lovely and accommodating and I'll always fly BA in the future

It was perfect. The service was exceptional. I would never want to cross the Atlantic in anyone else's sardine tins.

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