Flights
We are more than happy to arrange flights for you. We use an independent Brighton based company that is accredited with ATOL, ABTA and IATA. They will source flights at the best possible rates and with the most effective transit times were appropriate for domestic African flights. Some airlines like South African Airways allow you to book months in advance but only pay 4 weeks before departure (subject to any change in fuel surcharges etc.). There is a small booking fee involved, but they take away the hassle of any flight changes or delays that require administration. There are six main carriers that we use on routes to Southern Africa. This is because they are airlines that operate non-stop flights to Johannesburg in the north or three of the six operating to Cape Town in the south. Flight times to Johannesburg average 10¾ hours whilst those to Cape Town average 11.5 hours. The six airlines are:
South African Airways
South African Airways operates numerous flights to Southern Africa each day from various European cities; they use Boeing 747-400 aircraft as well as different versions of the Airbus A340 and all are non-stop. From the UK, Two of the flights are to Johannesburg and one is to Cape Town. Within South Africa, South African Airways has its own internal flights to all major and minor cities. Different cabin classes include: Economy and Business Class. www.flysaa.com
British Airways
British Airways currently operates four flights per day to South Africa in summer and three in winter; all are Boeing 747-400 aircraft and all are non-stop. Two of the flights are to Johannesburg and two are to Cape Town in summer with one in winter. The extra summer flight from Cape Town is a day flight. Within South Africa, British Airways has its own internal flights to other major cities (operated by Comair). Different cabin classes include: World Traveller (Economy), World Traveller Plus (Economy but with extra legroom), Club World (Business) and First Class. www.ba.com
Virgin Atlantic Airways
Virgin Atlantic operates two flights per day to South Africa in summer and one in winter; all are Airbus A340-600 aircraft and all are non-stop. There is one flight to Johannesburg and one to Cape Town in South Africa's summer months. Within South Africa, Virgin Atlantic makes use of various domestic airlines. Different cabin classes include: Economy, Premier Economy (extra legroom) and Upper Class (Business). www.virginatlantic.com
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KLM operate daily flights from Amsterdam to both Johannesburg and Cape Town, The Cape Town flight is a day flight. There are convenient connections from most UK airports and in our opinion well worth considering if you are not travelling from London Heathrow Airport. They operate Airbus A340-600 aircraft and have Economy & Business Class. www.klm.com
Emirates
Emirates operates daily Airbus flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg from Dubai. In turn, there are a number of connecting flights with Emirates from various UK airports. The prices are usually very competitive, but the journey takes in excess of 17 hours with the stopover. www.emirates.com
Lufthansa
Lufthansa again operates daily flights to and from Southern Africa using Airbus A340-600 aircraft. They fly from Frankfurt and Munich and there are numerous connecting flights from the UK. www.lufthansa.com
