South African Airways Launches Flights to São Paulo

Three years after its last transatlantic flight, South African Airways has plans to restore service on one route, and it will also add a new one altogether. Later this year, the airline will launch direct service from Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT) to São Paulo (GRU).

This is a particularly interesting development since South African Airways took back to the skies in 2021 after a period of financial turbulence.

South African Airways Launches New São Paulo Routes

Later on this year, South African Airways will begin the first long-haul transatlantic service in over three years. The South African carrier hasn’t flown to South America since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, and also faced some financial difficulties that included a business rescue plan.

In fact, these routes will become the first that the airline will fly outside of Africa since returning to the skies in 2021.

On October 31, 2023, South African Airways will begin a twice-weekly service from Cape Town (CPT) to São Paulo (GRU). Currently, the flights are scheduled to operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The flight times are as follows:

• SA 226, Cape Town (CPT) to São Paulo (GRU), departing at 12:55pm and arriving at 4:35pm
• SA 227, São Paulo (GRU) to Cape Town (CPT), departing at at 6:05pm and arriving at 6:40am the next day

The westbound flight to São Paulo runs at around 8 hours and 40 minutes, while the overnight service to Cape Town is set at 7 hours and 35 minutes.

On November 6, 2023, South African Airways will resume its service between Johannesburg (JNB) and São Paulo (GRU). Prior to the pandemic, the airline offered daily flights on this route; however, it appears that this cadence will be reduced to twice-weekly on Mondays and Thursdays.

The flight times are as follows:

• SA 222, Johannesburg (JNB) to São Paulo (GRU), departing at 11:20am and arriving at 4:15pm
• SA 223, São Paulo (GRU) to Johannesburg (JNB), departing at at 5:45pm and arriving at 7:45am the next day

The westbound flight to São Paulo runs at around 9 hours and 55 minutes, while the overnight service to Johannesburg will last nine hours. 

It appears that the airline will operate its Airbus A340-300 on these route, which is currently the only such aircraft in its fleet. Passengers can choose from economy and lie-flat business class cabins.

The flights are available to be booked…