Flying to Joburg: Qantas or South African Airways?

Heading to Joburg, Qantas or South African?

If you are flying from SYD - QF is the only direct flight. SA via Perth (QF to Perth). Otherwise SQ, EY, EK are good 1 stop options

I've done a few trips from Brisbane to Joburg with many different airlines and have found the best to be Qantas via Sydney and returning SAA via Perth. Not sure which city you're departing from but in some cases it makes sense to go outbound with one and return with the other. Hope this helps

Consider QR ex MEL, especially if going J. Fares usually lower than others, and best J seats/service of them all. Out QF back SA may mean increased fare because of two one-ways. Beware QF on this sector, often old 744 with angled flat seats in J. Beware SA because of recent service decline and old 343 aircraft.

QF and SAA codeshare so you don't need to book to one-ways. SAA use the 346 on the Perth route now and it's much better. I got the refurbished QF744 going over but that was just being lucky

Thanks FF, didn't know either of those things. I wouldn't be surprised if a 3 class 380 comes on for QF when all the 744's (except the ER's) are retired - bring it on!

It would be good to see the 380 to Jo'burg - but I'd say it's reliant on QF/SA joint business continuing to be approved. I'd also wonder whether an 380 would add too much capacity for a daily service?

So? They can cut to 5x weekly. Skip two midweek days.

True. I think the B747 used to be 6x weekly.

Today's rumour mill says QF will dump JNB as the 744 fleet shinks. 

That would be ... yet another ... very poor decision by Joyce. Especially if the codeshare ends - seems probable SA will pull out of Perth in that case. If JNB goes, what's next - SCL?

Another thought - if QF exits JNB and SA exits PER, then NZ might be very tempted to continue a 787 after AKL-PER on to JNB.

Frankly NZ has an interesting opportunity - turn AKL into a hub that can serve South America, South Africa and connect them to Asia and Australia, plus the normal services. Interesting times ahead. 

Absolutely. If SA exits PER and NZ hubs at AKL it would be the sole  Star carrier from SCL all the way west to JNB. Otherwise OneW gets it all to themselves.

Does the 787 have approval to do extended operations? Without that, South America and South Africa would be difficult.