South African Airways (SAA) says its competitively priced mixed-class fare is proving a major hit in the Australian market, with the airline reporting strong uptake for the offering that combines economy and business class travel.
Speaking at an event to introduce the trade to the new Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari, SAA National Sales Manager Australia, Candice Steffensen shared details of the popular offering.
“We offer a mixed class product which is very competitively priced at $3,990, plus taxes and fees,” she said. “You’re flying economy from the East Coast to Perth, and you’ll fly long-haul segments in business class – and that’s been selling like hotcakes.”
The product is aimed at value-conscious leisure and business travellers who still want to enjoy the comfort of a lie-flat seat on the long-haul leg to Johannesburg, Steffensen explained.
SAA’s business class features fully lie-flat beds, award-winning service and authentic South African cuisine. Business travellers also receive a luggage allowance of two 32 kg cases.
The airline operates five weekly overnight flights between Perth and Johannesburg on Airbus A340-300 aircraft, with the well-timed service designed to minimise jet lag. “You’re on an overnight flight, which is really helpful, because you get to rest. You get to beat jet lag, which is incredible,” Steffensen said.
For travellers connecting from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, South African Airways offers seamless connections through Perth, thanks to interline partnerships with Qantas and Virgin Australia. “You’ve got a lot of time to get there and a lot of time to connect,” she added.
In addition to its popular Australia–South Africa services, SAA is expanding its regional African network with several new route launches. “We’re launching a direct service from Cape Town to Mauritius in December,” Steffensen announced, highlighting growing leisure demand in the region.
“And Johannesburg to Gaborone in Botswana – we’re thrilled to be able to provide a double daily service as of November 4.” These additions complement SAA’s existing connections to key African destinations including Victoria Falls, Lusaka and Cape Town, offering Australian travellers more options to extend their journeys across the continent.
“The main thing that really comes through South African Airways is that authentic African touch,” Steffensen said. “You’re going to feel it the minute you’re welcomed at the gate.”
