Flying to Joburg: Qantas or South African Airways?

25 replies

ropate

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 22 Jan 2014

Total posts 1

Heading to Joburg, Qantas or South African?

hutch

Member since 07 Oct 2012

Total posts 772

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

FrequentFlyer

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 20 Mar 2012

Total posts 198

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

wilsoni Banned

wilsoni Banned

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Sep 2011

Total posts 302

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.

FrequentFlyer

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 20 Mar 2012

Total posts 198

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

wilsoni Banned

wilsoni Banned

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Sep 2011

Total posts 302

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!

hutch

Member since 07 Oct 2012

Total posts 772

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?

watson374

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 17 Aug 2012

Total posts 1,285

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

hutch

Member since 07 Oct 2012

Total posts 772

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

johnaboxall

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 24 Aug 2011

Total posts 384

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

wilsoni Banned

wilsoni Banned

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Sep 2011

Total posts 302

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?

wilsoni Banned

wilsoni Banned

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Sep 2011

Total posts 302

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.

johnaboxall

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 24 Aug 2011

Total posts 384

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. 

wilsoni Banned

wilsoni Banned

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Sep 2011

Total posts 302

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.

hutch

Member since 07 Oct 2012

Total posts 772

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

Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Flying to Joburg: Qantas or South African Airways?

Attach Files