Lufthansa, Swiss and United Airlines are selling basic economy tickets from Los Angeles LAX to South Africa, Cape Town or Johannesburg, for as low as $532 round trip. These low fares are primarily February and March departures.
Swiss Airlines has lowest fares with Lufthansa operated flights to South Africa about $10 to $25 more round trip.
Lufthansa ticket for Swiss Airlines flights
Los Angeles LAX – Zurich ZRH – Cape Town CPT – Zurich ZRH (overnight) – LAX
$531.88 round trip Mon March 18 – Wed March 27
United Airlines ticket for Swiss Airlines flights
Los Angeles LAX – Zurich ZRH – Johannesburg JNB – Zurich ZRH – LAX