Damon Mcknight
South African Airways (SAA) is the flag carrier of South Africa. It offers flights to 13 destinations in Africa and two intercontinental destinations: Perth, Australia, and São Paulo, Brazil. SAA has resumed scheduled flights between Johannesburg, South Africa, and Perth, Australia, three to five times per week. This route is the second intercontinental route relaunched by the airline, with the first being flights to São Paulo, Brazil, from Johannesburg and Cape Town.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of intercontinental routes | 2 |
| Intercontinental routes | Perth, Australia and São Paulo, Brazil |
| Number of destinations | 14 |
| Domestic destinations | Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth in South Africa |
| Regional destinations | Windhoek, Namibia; Harare and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe; Lusaka, Zambia; Mauritius; Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire; Accra, Ghana; and Lagos, Nigeria |
| Number of flights to Perth | 5 per week |
| Frequency of flights to Perth | Daily |
| Type of flights to Perth | Nonstop |
| Aircraft | Airbus A340-600, A340-300E, A319, Boeing 747-400, Boeing B747-400, Boeing 747-200 Combi, Douglas DC-7B |
| Number of aircraft | 58 |
| Amenities | Flat-bed seats, individual power supply, individual reading lights, telephones, Audio-Video-On-Demand inflight entertainment, gourmet meals, fine South African wines, movies, audio programmes |
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What You'll Learn
- SAA flies to Perth, Australia, from Johannesburg, South Africa
- SAA's Perth route is the second relaunched intercontinental route
- SAA offers nonstop services to Africa from Perth and Sydney
- SAA's Johannesburg-London route was once the fastest piston-engine airliner in the world
- SAA's business class offers flat-bed seats and restaurant-style dining
SAA flies to Perth, Australia, from Johannesburg, South Africa
South African Airways (SAA) has relaunched its Johannesburg, South Africa–Perth, Australia route, marking a significant moment for the airline. The resumption of direct flights between Johannesburg and Perth is met with enthusiasm from families and businesses, with over 80,000 South Africans residing in Perth and nearly 400,000 across Australia.
SAA's Johannesburg to Perth route is currently operated by the increasingly rare Airbus A340, with flights leaving Johannesburg in the evening and arriving in Perth at midday. The route offers increased convenience for travellers who previously endured lengthy layovers and high costs when connecting through other hubs. SAA's Perth route is part of its southern hemisphere air connectivity strategy, connecting key destinations on three continents: Australia, Southern Africa, and South America.
The airline now offers improved connectivity for travellers needing to reach any of these locations. The Perth route is the second relaunched intercontinental route for SAA, with the airline resuming flights to Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2023. The Johannesburg–Perth route is currently the only intercontinental route operated by SAA, with the airline not planning to launch any new routes in the mid-term.
SAA's Johannesburg to Perth route is also notable for being one of the few nonstop flights between South Africa and Australia. The absence of direct flights between the two countries has often resulted in inconvenient and costly journeys for passengers, who had to travel via Sydney with Qantas or Singapore with Singapore Airlines. SAA's nonstop service eliminates the need for time-consuming and expensive layovers, making travel between South Africa and Australia more accessible and efficient.
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SAA's Perth route is the second relaunched intercontinental route
South African Airways (SAA) has relaunched its Australia route, resuming scheduled flights between Johannesburg, South Africa, and Perth, Australia. This marks the second intercontinental route relaunched by SAA, with the first being the resumption of flights to Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2023.
The Perth route is a significant milestone in the recovery of SAA and the state's aviation industry, providing direct connections for the large South African community in Western Australia. The airline now connects key destinations on three continents: Australia, Southern Africa, and South America. This improved connectivity benefits travellers needing to reach any of these locations.
The Perth-Johannesburg service operates with an A340-300 aircraft, offering 253 seats configured with 38 Business Class and 215 Economy Class seats. SAA has increased the frequency of its Perth-bound flights to four weekly flights, with plans to increase to five by late January 2025. The service initially operated three times per week, delivering 78,936 seats to the Perth market.
The relaunch of the Perth route is part of SAA's southern hemisphere air connectivity strategy. However, SAA's Interim Board of Directors chair, Derek Hanekom, stated that the carrier would not expand further after the Perth flight relaunch without capital injection from an equity partner or loans from capital markets. The Perth route is expected to be the last new route launched by SAA in the mid-term. Despite this, the addition of two aircraft to SAA's fleet in January 2025, bringing the total to 20, will enable the airline to increase seat capacity and contribute to the affordability of passenger air travel.
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SAA offers nonstop services to Africa from Perth and Sydney
South African Airways (SAA) has relaunched its intercontinental route to Perth, Australia, with flights operating between Johannesburg and Perth. This route, which was relaunched in April 2024, currently operates three times a week, with SAA hoping to eventually increase this to a daily service. The resumption of this route has been welcomed by Perth Airport, which has had a long-standing partnership with SAA, and it is expected to boost tourism to Western Australia.
SAA's Perth route is the second intercontinental route the airline has relaunched, the first being the route to Sao Paulo, Brazil. The reopening of the Perth route is part of SAA's southern hemisphere air connectivity strategy, connecting key destinations in Australia, Southern Africa, and South America. This improved connectivity will benefit travellers needing to reach these locations, as well as boost regional economies and grow the brands of both countries.
Prior to the relaunch, the absence of direct flights between Perth and South Africa had caused inconvenience and higher costs for passengers, who had to travel via Sydney with Qantas or via Singapore with Singapore Airlines. The return of SAA's Perth route now offers the most direct route across the Southern Hemisphere, from São Paulo to Perth and back through Johannesburg. This route is currently the only nonstop flight between Johannesburg and Perth, giving SAA a competitive advantage over other carriers.
In addition to the Perth route, SAA also offers nonstop services to Africa from Sydney, providing the fastest way to Africa from Sydney and Perth. With connecting flights from other Australian cities such as Adelaide, Melbourne, Gold Coast, and Brisbane, SAA provides convenient travel options for those in Australia travelling to Africa.
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SAA's Johannesburg-London route was once the fastest piston-engine airliner in the world
South African Airways (SAA) has relaunched its intercontinental route to Perth, Australia, which operates three times per week. The Perth route is the second intercontinental route for SAA, the other being to Sao Paulo, Brazil. The airline now connects key destinations on three continents: Australia, Southern Africa, and South America.
SAA's Johannesburg-London route was once served by the world's first jet airliner, the de Havilland Comet, which entered commercial service in 1952. The Comet was a British jetliner that could climb to 35,000 ft (10,000 m) at a phenomenal rate, 100 mph faster than the fastest propeller-driven aircraft at the time. The Comet's maiden flight was from London to Johannesburg, South Africa, on May 2, 1952, marking the start of the Jet Age.
The de Havilland Comet was a four-engine aircraft, roughly the size of a small Boeing 737, and could carry between 36 and 46 passengers. It was built by de Havilland, a British firm, and was the backbone of the British commercial fleet. The Comet was a significant advancement in aviation technology, doing away with the noise and vibration of piston engines. However, the early Comets suffered structural problems and were involved in several accidents during the 1950s.
Despite these setbacks, the Comet's entry into commercial service marked a technological quantum leap for Britain, showcasing its advanced aeronautical engineering capabilities and breaking the near-monopoly of US aircraft manufacturers in the postwar period.
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SAA's business class offers flat-bed seats and restaurant-style dining
South African Airways (SAA) has resumed its intercontinental route to Perth, Australia, with scheduled flights operating three to five times per week between Johannesburg, South Africa, and Perth.
SAA's business class offers flat-bed seats that are almost 2 metres long when fully extended and are made from the finest leather and fabric. These seats provide a high level of comfort and privacy, with individual aisle access, extra storage space, and noise-cancelling headsets. The flat-bed seats lie completely flat at 180 degrees, allowing passengers to get a good night's rest under a soft duvet and large pillows.
In addition to the comfortable seating, business-class passengers can enjoy restaurant-style dining during their flight. SAA offers carefully designed meals that are crafted in collaboration with accomplished chefs, ensuring that each dish is a highlight of the journey. From starters to desserts, the food is selected for its taste, texture, and visual appeal, and is paired with award-winning South African wines and Méthode Cap Classique bubbly. Whether it's a light snack or a multi-course meal, SAA's dining experience promises to be a culinary delight.
Furthermore, business-class customers have access to various amenities designed to enhance their journey. Each seat is equipped with USB and laptop charging points, ensuring that electronic devices remain powered throughout the flight. The innovative cabin design provides increased privacy and personal space, allowing passengers to relax and enjoy their journey.
SAA's business class experience is thoughtfully designed to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable journey. From the flat-bed seats to the restaurant-style dining and additional amenities, passengers can expect a high level of comfort and service when flying with SAA to Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, South African Airways (SAA) flies to Perth, Australia.
As of late January 2025, SAA has been flying to Perth 5 times a week.
In the past, SAA has flown to Sydney, Australia. However, it is unclear whether they still do.
SAA has one of the world's youngest fleets of 58 aircraft, including brand new Airbus A340-600, A340-300E, and A319. SAA offers flat-bed seats in Business Class, and in Economy Class, passengers can enjoy 33" pitch seats and Audio-Video-On-Demand inflight entertainment.
