jczinn

Just got an email from South African Airways that as of May 1, their return flight from Johannesburg back to JFK will be non-stop (no more stop in Dakar!!) According to them this will shave 90 minutes off the flight.

http://www.flysaaspecials.com/site-4...nstop-from-ny/

I am so thrilled with this I actually shouted out loud when I read the email Last trip we took Delta via Atlanta just to avoid this return stop (the thought of being stuck for an hour or more on the plane on the ground mid-way through a 17 hour flight really gives me anxiety.)

Now, if only they would announce a sale for summer months...currently the r/t price from NYC is running $1700...so I'm still hoping it will drop soon, they've been running sales every quarter.

andybiggs

Too bad they aren't doing this from Dulles, because JFK is a nightmare.

nycjv

On Friday Orbitz sent me this update to my departing flight to JFK for August 5th. The change is also helpful as the flight now departs a little later from Johannesburg and since I have a late flight from Nelspruit, I now have a little longer connection in case of any delays.

If you're going to visit multiple destinations in Southern Africa, have you checked Kayak using the multi city flight selection as I'm flying JFK to Victoria Falls to Cape Town to Nelspruit (all SAA or SA Link) and back to JFK for total of $1786 for July 24th to August 5th, and my fare was $1,100 less than if I'd booked directly thru SAA. My flights thru Kayak were directed to Orbitz which is where I ended up purchasing in Mid October at what I think is a good rate for the entire trip. Good Luck.

jczinn

Andy, for those of us that live in NYC, JFK is a necessary evil Actually, I don't find JFK bad at all, but for transfers I imagine its no fun.

We're flying JFK-CPT then Upington back to JFK. Since SAA is the only airline that flies from Upington, it comes out cheaper to stick with SAA for the whole trip. Actually the price is pretty much the same as if flying from JNB. But, its still about $1700 right now.

Unfortunately the later flight out of JNB just means a longer layover there for us--about 8 hours, since the Upington flight arrives around 1 p.m. Ug!

andybiggs

Man, Upington? That isn't exactly an easy to get to place! I was 'in the neighborhood' a few months ago at Tswalu Kalahari, and loved it.

jczinn

Upington because we'll be coming from Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park...

My only concern with SAA is their meager carry-on limit (18 lbs) and all my camera equipment. But that's really for another post. At which time Andy I may have some questions for you