tuscanlifeedit

That about says it all.

Two men, each with their own physical limitations, will be flying from the NE US to Johannesburg South Africa.

I'm thinking of routing them either on a direct flight or perhaps on BA premium economy
JFK>LHR>Johannesburg.

The BA premium economy requires that stop at LHR and costs nearly 400 USD more per ticket.

What about South African Airways? Can anyone speak of them?

I have always heard great things about Emirates and there may be a routing on them. Does anyone have experience with Emirates?

I need all the help I can get on this. It's for my employer; I get treated well and like to get him the best that I can.
Thanks.

Gardyloo

When is the trip occurring?

NoFlyZone

Delta has a nonstop from Atlanta, which they should be able to reach easily.

J62

The distance from JFK-JNB (7969mi) is shorter than ATL-JNB (8439mi). In my book a non-stop flight always trumps any connection.

I say fly from JFK nonstop.

mrwunrfl

Took a look at itasoftware for one-way JFK-JNB departing January 15.

Shortest total travel time on Lufthansa is 29 hours.
Shortest travel time on BA is 25 hours.
Shortest trip on Emirates is 22 hours 45 minutes.
Newark-ATL-JNB on Delta is 19 hours 20 minutes
Nonstop on South African Airways is 14 hours 45 minutes.

doug_stallings

For me, a nonstop flight is the best option on such a long route unless I plan on making an overnight stop along the way, then I think other airlines are worth checking. If you can get a premium economy flight with an overnight stay (which obviously brings up the cost), then that might also be an option. It's going to make the trip more comfortable, although it will also be longer and more expensive.

Here's the problem with South Africa. Regardless of the route, it's a really long flight, even from Europe. So you are usually better off just biting the bullet and doing it nonstop.

The sole advantage of Delta over SAA may be that it could offer Economy Comfort, which would offer more legroom though nothing else of note. That would be worth checking out.

mrwunrfl

>Shortest travel time on BA is 25 hours

The reason for that is that the trip involves two overnight flights. The earliest LHR > JNB flight is 6PM. One itinerary has arrival at LHR at 6:55AM next day and arrival JNB at 6:55 AM the day after that.

It is possible to take a daytime flight on at 8:30 AM arriving London at 8:15 PM. Spend the night in London, then leave at 6PM the next day arriving at 6:55AM the day after that.

Flying time on BA would be 18 hours 5 minutes. After 7h 10m flying to London you've still got 10h 55m of flying LHR-JNB.

tuscanlifeedit

Thank you all so much for this VERY helpful information. We use Delta quite a bit because boss has status, and since both men who will be flying have physical issues and we can get premium economy, that is looking like a good option.

I haven't been given exact dates yet, but the "winter trip" usually happens at the end of December/beginning of January. I was asked to present some preliminary fares and routes for right now.

mrwunrfl: the time break down is excellent. Thank you.

Gardyloo

We use Delta quite a bit because boss has status...

In which case ask your boss (or you can research it) about using his status (and presumably a cache of Delta Skypesos) to upgrade to business class. If there was ever, ever a route where business class is the way to go, this is it.

JoanneH

Delta from Atlanta is a great flight I have done it twice. Just be sure you have things lined up for your pickup etc at JB. Airport can be a mad house and its not a place to linger around.

travelgourmet

In which case ask your boss (or you can research it) about using his status (and presumably a cache of Delta Skypesos) to upgrade to business class. If there was ever, ever a route where business class is the way to go, this is it.

Good luck finding availability. And the upgradeable fares will be expensive. This is a very lucrative route for Delta and they don't tend to have many unsold biz seats available for upgraders.

gigib

One thing nice about the Delta flight is that it arrives at JNB in the afternoon instead of early morning. There is a great little new hotel that is attached to the terminal (not the Intercontinental), you can just get your bags and walk there, it is nice to spend have a shower and a meal and a sleep, then be ready to go the next morning.

The other flights arrive early in the AM, but you are smelly and tired and it's a bit much to start right into your sightseeing. At least that was our experience, we could only afford cattle class!