South African Airways Returns to Perth, Australia

South African Airways (SAA) has concluded plans to resume scheduled flights between Johannesburg and Perth, Australia with effect from 28 April 2024. The service will operate three times a week.
For the launch phase of the route, SAA will operate an Airbus A340-300, with a total seat capacity of 253 (38 business class seats and 215 economy seats). The A340-300 is synonymous with being spacious, comfortable, reliable, and capable of handling long-distance flights with ease.
Flight SA 280 will depart OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, 3 times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 20h55 and arrive at Perth International Airport, the following day at 12h20. Flight SA 281 will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, departing Perth at 14h40, and arriving Johannesburg at 19h35 the following day.
South African Airways operations to Perth are in line with the airline’s strategic plans to scale its operations to a profitable level by leveraging SAA’s unique capabilities as a national carrier with wide-body aircraft that can provide South Africa with long-haul intercontinental air connectivity.
The launch of the Perth route provides another opportunity for SAA Voyager frequent flyers to earn and redeem their air miles. One SAA Voyager mile is awarded to members for every R1.60 they spend on their purchase of an air ticket.
As SAA is a member of the Star Alliance, Voyager members in are eligible for the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card that is administered from Australia. This affords members additional opportunities to earn Voyager miles and attain Elite credit card status based on their spending.
The Perth route marks the second interoceanic route to be reopened within 6 months of the successful launch of the Sao Paulo, Brazil route on 31 October 2023. A Southern hemisphere travel package that goes from Perth to Sau Paulo through Johannesburg, and the way back, is now possible.
As a member of the global network of Star Alliance, South African Airways can further enhance the seamless travel into and out of Australia for customers of the 25 airlines that are co-members of the alliance.