international · 11h 30m · 9,660 km
London to Cape Town
2 airlines · 2 aircraft ranked
In business class, Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class (787-9) leads the field with a 6.7/10. In premium economy, Virgin Atlantic's Premium (787-9) leads the field with a 5.7/10.
Quick pick
Fly Virgin Atlantic. It has 7 more inches of legroom and a wider seat (20" vs 18").
If fares are comparable, this is the better cabin.
Fly Virgin Atlantic. It has a wider seat (21" vs 18.5").
If fares are comparable, this is the better cabin.
Fly Virgin Atlantic. It scores higher across seat comfort and amenities.
If prices are similar, go with this one.
Select two airlines to compare head-to-head
Data verified May 2026
New routes and airlines added regularly. One short email when we do.
Airlines on this route
Route insights
- In business class, Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class (787-9) leads the field with a 6.7/10.
- In premium economy, Virgin Atlantic's Premium (787-9) leads the field with a 5.7/10.
- In economy, Virgin Atlantic's Economy Classic (787-9) leads the field with a 4.6/10.
Frequently asked
Which is better in business: British Airways or Virgin Atlantic on LHR-CPT?
In business, Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic's 787-9 scores 6.7/10 compared to Club World on British Airways's 777-300 at 5.5/10, a clear advantage. Virgin Atlantic wins on legroom, seat width, bed length. The key difference is blanket vs mattress pad.
Which is better in premium economy: British Airways or Virgin Atlantic on LHR-CPT?
In premium economy, Premium on Virgin Atlantic's 787-9 scores 5.7/10 compared to World Traveller Plus on British Airways's 777-300 at 4.7/10, a clear advantage. Virgin Atlantic wins on seat width, power. The key difference is usb a vs all.
Which is better in economy: British Airways or Virgin Atlantic on LHR-CPT?
In economy, Economy Classic on Virgin Atlantic's 787-9 scores 4.6/10 compared to World Traveller on British Airways's 777-300 at 4/10, a narrow edge. Virgin Atlantic wins on power. The key difference is usb a vs all.
What are the best seats in British Airways Club World on LHR-CPT?
Best: The mini-cabin (rows 5-7) has only 12 seats and is the quietest and most private. Window suites (A or K) in rows 9-12 create a genuine cocoon with the door and fuselage wall. Row 5 gets priority meal service with the widest choice of entrees. Avoid: Partial rows 18 and 24 only have center seats and lack window positions. Back rows of each cabin section near galleys experience more noise. Bassinet positions at 8K and 19A/K may mean infants nearby. Row 24 gets meal service last. 76 Club Suite seats across three separate cabins, making this BA's largest business class. All 16 777-300ER frames are now retrofitted. The Club Suite has a larger 18.5-inch IFE screen than First class. Every seat has a door, direct aisle access, and Bluetooth audio. Center pairs have retractable dividers for couples.
What are the best seats in British Airways World Traveller Plus on LHR-CPT?
Best: Row 31 offers the sweet spot between bulkhead legroom and avoiding bassinet noise. Window pairs (A-B, J-K) provide the most privacy. Avoid: Row 30 bassinet position means possible infant noise. Row 34 (last row) has limited recline and proximity to economy partition. Center seats D-E-F-G are least desirable. 40-seat premium economy in 8-abreast 2-4-2 configuration. Adjustable headrests with wings. Complimentary meal service with upgraded wine selection. Dedicated cabin crew. USB and AC power at every seat.
What are the best seats in British Airways World Traveller on LHR-CPT?
Best: Rows 40-42 are the front of economy, furthest from the rear galley. Exit row seats offer more legroom. Avoid: Last 2-3 rows near rear galley and lavatories are noisy with limited recline. Middle seats (B, E, H) in the 3-3-3 layout are least desirable. Row 53 typically has no recline. 9-abreast economy at 31-inch pitch on the 777-300ER. Complimentary meals and beverages on all long-haul routes. Seatback IFE with USB charging. The 777-300ER is BA's flagship long-haul aircraft.
What are the best seats in Virgin Atlantic Upper Class on LHR-CPT?
Best: 2A and 4A are the most private seats — left-side A positions face the window wall with the most separation from the aisle. 6A and 8A are also good but closer to the mid-cabin galley. Solo travelers should always pick A seats. Avoid: All G and K positions (center and right) face each other across the aisle with low dividers — the worst privacy in any current business cabin. 11G and 11K are the most exposed, adjacent to the Premium cabin divider. Older herringbone Upper Class with no doors and low dividers — noticeably less private than the A350-1000 or A330neo suites. 1-1-1 layout means all-aisle access but the tradeoff is those low partition walls. 11.1-inch screens are half the size of the A330neo (17.3 inches). Sleep suit provided on overnight flights.
What are the best seats in Virgin Atlantic Premium on LHR-CPT?
Best: Window pairs in row 21 (21A/B and 21H/K) are bulkhead seats with extra legroom. Avoid: Center seats in the middle block (D, F, G) in any row. Last row is closest to economy. 35 Premium seats in a 2-3-2 layout with 38-inch pitch and 8-degree recline. 11.1-inch Panasonic eX3 screens. AC outlet and USB-A at every seat. Plated meals with upgraded menu. Small amenity kit with eye mask, socks, and toothbrush. Pillow and blanket at the seat.
What are the best seats in Virgin Atlantic Economy Classic on LHR-CPT?
Best: Economy Delight rows (around row 53) offer 34-inch pitch for an upcharge. Any window seat in 3-3-3 avoids the double-middle problem. Avoid: Center seats (B, E, H) in any row. Last rows near rear galley. Economy Delight (36 seats) has 34-inch pitch vs 31 inches in Classic. Same Recaro 3620 slimline seat throughout. 9-inch Panasonic eX3 screens — smaller than the A350 (11.6 inches) and A330neo (13.3 inches). AC outlet and USB-A at every seat. Complimentary hot meal and pre-landing snack with free alcohol.