Holiday season is in the air!

As autumn approaches a gentle end and winter is around the corner, we can look forward to a number of holidays during the month of April. Whether you are at home relaxing with a hot cup of chocolate or vacationing while experiencing our beautiful South African winters, SAA would like to wish you a happy and safe holiday season.

In spite of the holidays and cold weather we know the Comrades athletes will be training hard in these last few weeks before the race. If shopping and sight–seeing is more your style, be sure to catch the Rand Show.

If you have not yet booked your holiday or need some inspiration, be sure to see SAA’s South African & African specials.

Until next time, travel safe!

Destination of the month - London

Whether you arrive in London via the underground or inside one of the city’s ubiquitous black taxicabs, you will immediately be greeted by a deep sense of history and met with the unique vibrancy of this incredible destination.

London promises something for everyone. The London Eye lifts visitors high above the river into vistas that stretch tight across the fading skies. Further down on the South Bank, the Tate Modern contains one of the world’s most incredible collections of Modern Art, while the city’s 30,000 stores and boutiques will exhaust even the most avid shopper, and its 6,000 restaurants are only too eager to demonstrate why Britons revere their chefs as celebrities. For those interested in exploring the country’s heritage, the Tower of London is an excellent starting point. First constructed in the 11th century, the Tower has been rebuilt several times as later monarchs have left their mark.

One of London’s biggest attractions, and a great celebration of splendor that is free to all visitors, is the daily Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. As the great dome of St Paul’s reflects the colours of the setting sun, London comes alive with its unrivalled nightlife.

For those up for something more thrilling than dinner and the theatre, London has a vast number of bars and nightclubs catering to all tastes.

See our specials to London

Experience SAA

Showcasing Africa – Cotonou (Benin)

We are pleased with the introduction of yet another route to our African schedule as part of our plans to focus growth in Africa. Effective 17 May 2012 we will extend our new route from Pointe Noire in the Congo – which was introduced from 26 January – to also include Cotonou in Benin.

Cotonou will be served twice a week with an A319 aircraft. The flights are already available for sale in our reservations system.

Cotonou will be the fifth new destination on the continent that the airline has introduced since October last year. Ndola (Zambia), Kigali (Rwanda), Bujumbura (Burundi) and Pointe Noire (Congo) were other recent additions to our expansive route network in Africa.

SAA also has flying rights between Point Noire and Cotonou and introducing Cotonou as an add–on flight on the newly–opened route between Johannesburg and Point Noire, allows us to also serve this market. The flights have been timed to ensure easy connections with the rest of our route network.

Cotonou is the economic capital of Benin and the country’s largest city. In addition to being Benin’s largest city, it houses several of its government and diplomatic services including the Beninese seat of government.

*All times are local at departure/destination points.

SAA News - Priority Boarding

In alignment with our vision to maintain being the most awarded airline for customer service excellence out of Africa to the world and from the world to Africa, we have pleasure in communicating a new service offering that will position SAA as an airline where Customer Service continues to be at the core of our overall Corporate Strategy.

Priority Boarding for SAA flight departures from South African based airports

Our latest service initiative will allow passengers to enjoy Priority Boarding for SAA flight departures from airports within South Africa. After an initial 3 month assessment period, we are gearing ourselves to implement this initiative consistently effective 1 March 2012. Shortly after the South African airports roll–out, this initiative will be introduced worldwide creating consistency and professionalism globally.

Priority Boarding signage will be displayed at the boarding gates on the left hand-side of our boarding counters where the following qualifying premium customer segmentation can board:

• Voyager Lifetime Platinum Members
• Voyager Platinum Members
• Voyager Gold members
• Star Alliance Gold Members
• SAA Business Class Travellers

In addition to the Priority Boarding for premium customers, we will be boarding from the back of the aircraft and boarding announcements will be made to facilitate this.

So what does this mean for us?

SAA is constantly striving to bring our customers new technology and innovations that make their travel experiences better, smoother and faster. That’s how we ensure we retain and even better our current Skytrax 4-star rating.

Whilst this service offering may change the way our customers board SAA flights within South Africa, there’s something that will never change, and that’s how much we value you and appreciate the loyal service you provide.