What is the least painless way of flying to Johannesburg from the U.S.?
Is a upgrade to mid-class worth the money? Any recommendations for airlines
and routes?
Thanks in advance.

Non-stop flights depart out of JFK (New York), IAD (Dulles outside Wash DC) and ATL (Atlanta). South Africa and Delta both fly these routes. Some flights have a 1/hr stop on the outbound (day of week dependent), and I believe all have a 1/hr stop on the return.

You can call the airlines directly or check their websites. Or contact: Premier Tours (Phila PA) www.premiertours.com (a tour operator) who has an air department, often having "special" prices. Best to call as their site doesn't usually have current fares/specials.

There are a number of major carriers that fly to JNB if you wish to connect in Europe.

pewang,

premiertours is a good company. they are a competitor of mine and we both have contracts with south african airways that will usually beat or match the internet. the are one of the biggest ticketing agents for saa in the USA along with karell in miami.

the flight from JFK to JNB leaves at 1130 AM and makes no stops in west africa so it is a true direct flight. it lands in JNB around 830 am (later after daylights savings). you can connect on arrival to a safari lodge or to cape town, botswana, etc. (depends on daylight savings).

delta is also a good option. SAA has two inches more legroom in coach than delta. none of the flights have economy-plus.

if you are coming from a city other than DC or NYC with a direct flights on NWA or KLM to Amsterdam, it is quicker to fly through Amstredam in NWA/KLM. you arrive in JNB around 900pm. i have been on safari three times in the past year and i am going again next month to zambia. all times i fly into JNB as the starting point. i have done NWA/KLM, SAA from JFK, and SAA from IAD.

craig beal

I've made trips from Washington, D.C., to JNB using various routes and airlines (SAA, Delta). Just a couple of weeks ago I did Wash. to JFK (SAA, 11:30 am) to JNB and must say I prefer that trip, which, as noted above, makes no stop in Senegal. My experience has been that the advertised 1 hr stop in Dakar runs closer to 1.5 hrs and sometimes longer, so avoiding the stop to me is a big plus. In addition, I think arriving early (again as noted about 8:30 am the next day) helps with jet-lag.

If money is not an issue, going business class is great and you feel much better after the long flight. But coach goes for ~$1,000 to 1,500 from the east coast, while business is probably ~$5000 and up. Using miles, if you've got enough, is a good way to get business class.

I flew Seattle to London to JNB last year in Club (Business) upgrading with miles. The total length of the outbound trip was about 25 hours including a 5-hour layover at Heathrow. Two overnight flights, but both in flat sleeper-bed seats. With the help of a half tablet Ambien each time, I slept well and arrived feeling rested and ready for the short hop onward.

Cost me about $3500 and 45,000 miles. Pretty painless, easy way to go all the way from far westcoast US to JNB, if you have the miles.

In my mind, the upgrade to plus class is only worth it if it then allows you to upgrade from plus to business with miles.

Thanks everyone--great help!

we are on A/A to london, layover, then B/A top Jburg

Robert is dreaming...we are flying to capetown from london. k

Where would Bob be without you Karen? Maybe you should let him go to JNB, LOL!

femi, can you go with me??

Delta flies nonstop daily to Johannesburg from Atlanta with long range B777's-meaning flat sleeper beds in business class.

I will be closer than you think. I would love to join you guys in Cape Town, but I've booked a really tight schedule. I'll be on a group tour, missing both the BOS and CPT GTGs Plus I fly in and out of JNB.

Hmmm, on second thoughts, I should probably do my best to keep Bob on the right track!

bkk