FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- South African Airways (SAA), Africa's most awarded airline, announced that its popular New York-Johannesburg service will now also operate non-stop from Johannesburg to New York, resulting in the fastest way to travel between New York and Southern Africa.  Currently, flight SA203 from Johannesburg to New York makes a 1-hour passenger and refueling stop in Dakar, Senegal.  Starting May 1st, flight SA203 will depart Johannesburg at 8:35 p.m. for a non-stop journey to New York that will arrive at 6:40 a.m. the following day.  The change now means that SAA offers non-stop flights both to and from New York's JFK airport to Johannesburg, South Africa. The new flight schedule will result in shorter travel times and allow even easier connections from throughout more of Africa. In addition, when travelers arrive in New York, they will have even more morning connection choices through a number of airlines that can take them to points throughout North America and the Caribbean.

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"Travelers have told us that they truly value SAA's morning non-stop service from JFK and the range of excellent, same-day connection opportunities it affords to more than 40 destinations in Africa.  But they've also expressed that they would love it even more if our return flight also operated non-stop," said Marc Cavaliere, executive vice president, North America, for South African Airways. "We've answered their calls, and are pleased to announce a return non-stop flight to New York.  Now, they will be able to enjoy more time on the ground in Southern Africa, in such remarkable places as Cape Town, Victoria Falls or the Indian Ocean Islands, before they begin their return journey home."

The updated schedule for SAA's daily service between New York and Johannesburg is as follows, effective May 1st:

• SA203 – Johannesburg/New York, departs Johannesburg at 8:35 p.m., arrives in New York at 6:40 a.m. the following day.
• SA204 – New York/Johannesburg, departs New York at 11:15 a.m., arrives in Johannesburg at 8:40 a.m. the following day.

To book seats on SAA's flights, please call 1-800-722-9675, visit www.flysaa.com, or call your travel agent.

South African Airways features daily nonstop service from the U.S. to South Africa with morning departures from New York JFK and afternoon direct service from Washington Dulles (with a stop in Dakar, Senegal) that offer travel convenience and award-winning service.  Travelers in Premium Business Class enjoy 180 degree fully flat-bed seats, and in Economy Class enjoy the most legroom versus competitors.  Every seat on board offers an individual on-demand entertainment system, plush pillow, warm blanket and amenity kit.  SAA's unrivaled network, featuring seamless connections to nearly 20 destinations within South Africa, and more than 25 cities across the rest of the continent, makes the airline the savvy traveler's "gateway to Africa."  To complement this network, a world of privileges awaits those who join Voyager, South African Airways' premier mileage program.  To sign up, visit www.flysaa.com, and link to the Voyager icon. As a Star Alliance member, South African Airways is able to offer its customers 1,172 destinations in 181 countries and more than 21,200 flights daily, including convenient connections from more than 25 cities in the U.S. through code share service with Star Alliance member United Airlines. Members of United's, Continental's, US Airways' and Air Canada's frequent traveler programs are able to earn and redeem miles on all SAA flights.  For more information on South African Airways, please call (800) 722-9675 or visit www.flysaa.com, where travelers can sign up to be notified of other great travel deals and vacation packages.  For information about South Africa, visit www.southafrica.net.

Contact: Elizabeth Ninomiya, South African Airways; Tel: 954-769-5120

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SOURCE South African Airways