10 February 2014
South African Airways (SAA) and Virgin Australia, one of Australia’s largest domestic airlines, have entered into a new codeshare agreement, the airline said in a statement on Thursday.
SAA flies daily between Johannesburg and Perth with the new partnership offering SAA customers expanded access across Australia to domestic destinations such as Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide, as of 11 February.
SAA acting commercial general manager Kendy Phohleli said: “Through the codeshare agreement with Virgin Australia, our valued customers will gain new travel choices to primary markets across Australia via Virgin’s extensive network and hubs in Perth and Melbourne, providing seamless travel, and earning of miles through the Voyager frequent flyer programme.
“In addition customers travelling to Africa from Australia using Virgin Australia services will have access to the most comprehensive network on the African continent.”
Virgin Australia has been an interline partner of SAA since July 2010 where the two airlines had a commercial agreement to handle those customers travelling on both airlines. SAA is now expanding this relationship into a codeshare agreement.
“We are looking forward to strengthening our partnership with Virgin Australia through this new codeshare agreement,” Phohleli said.
SAinfo reporter and SAA
