The 8 Best Ways to Fly Business Class to Africa on Points

Africa is an aspirational destination for many North American travellers. With so much diversity and so many countries over a huge area, there’s surely something for everyone. 

From North America, flying to Africa can be very expensive, especially in business class. However, using points to get there and back can yield excellent value, in addition to making the long trek in comfort and style.

Let’s take a look at the eight best ways to get to Africa in business class using points, with options for both direct and indirect routings, listed in alphabetical order.

1. Air Canada

First on this list is Air Canada, Canada’s largest airline. From its Montreal hub, the airline flies to three destinations in North Africa: Casablanca, Algiers, and Cairo.

With Aeroplan, pricing for these flights is subject to the distance-based tiers on the North America–Atlantic zone on the Flight Reward Chart.

Flights to Casablanca are scheduled year-round, while flights to Algiers and Cairo remain seasonal.

For Aeroplan redemptions, the cost in Aeroplan points depends on the total distance flown.

Direct flights from Montreal to Casablanca or Algiers fall under 4,000 miles, while a direct flight from Montreal to Cairo comes in at 5,436 miles. Adding a connecting flight from elsewhere in Canada or the United States may push you to the next tier, depending on the distance.

In theory, a one-way flight from Montreal to Casablanca would cost 60,000 Aeroplan points at the lower-end of the dynamic spectrum with Air Canada. While it’s possible to find flights at this price, you’ll be much more likely to pay much more due to the effects of dynamic pricing.

Flying Air Canada to Cairo from Montreal costs as few as 70,000 Aeroplan points in business class at the lower-end of the dynamic spectrum, although it can also cost significantly more.

Interestingly, Air Canada operates a two-cabin Airbus A330-300 aircraft on the Montreal–Algiers route. So, the best you can do is premium economy, which is something you may want to consider if you’re planning a trip to Algeria.

Both Cairo and Casablanca are served by three-cabin aircraft, and feature Air Canada Signature Class. The flights range in duration from seven to 10 hours, and eastbound, are scheduled overnight. Having a bed to catch some rest on is key to feeling rested upon arrival.

As…