South African Airways Inaugural Flight from D.C. To Accra
South African Airways (SAA), Africa’s most awarded airline, continues to expand its West African network and celebrated its inaugural flights between Washington D.C. and Accra, Ghana, on August 3, 2015.
SA #209 from Accra arrived at Washington D.C. Dulles International Airport at 6:05AM and SA #210 departed at 5.40pm under a ceremonial water cannon salute. Both flights were operated with Airbus A340-600 aircraft, featuring 42 full-flat 180 degree beds in Premium Business Class and 275 seats in Economy Class.
Celebrations at Washington Dulles Airport included local Washington, D.C.-based Ghanaian drummers and dancers, who performed at the boarding gate for SAA’s first passengers departing to Accra and representatives from the Ghanaian Embassy, the South African Embassy, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and Destination D.C.
“We are proud to be the only airline flying between Washington D.C. and Ghana, and we are committed to better connecting North America to the entire African continent,” said Marc Cavaliere, Executive Vice President Americas for South African Airways.
”There is a large Ghanaian community in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. and Baltimore area, as well as significant business trade opportunities between the two countries. We are now providing convenient world-class service in this market”, according to Marc Cavaliere.
“I am extremely pleased to welcome, on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, this new direct flight between Accra and Washington D.C.,” said His Excellency Joseph Henry Smith, Ambassador of Ghana to the United States. “I’m confident this will deepen trade and investment between the U.S. and Ghana, while reinforcing Accra’s position as a strategic West African hub.”
With the introduction of this new flight, SAA is providing the only nonstop flight between Washington D.C. and Ghana, as well as the only Skytrax 4-Star rated airline service and world-class quality from North America to the entire West Africa region.
South African Airways also offers convenient connections from over 50 markets in the U.S. and Canada through its airline partners United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, American Airlines and Virgin America via Washington, D.C.-Dulles.
South African Airways’ flights to Accra are available four days a week with continuing service to Johannesburg, South Africa, operating on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. SAA also provides nonstop service from Washington D.C.-Dulles to Dakar, Senegal and onwards to Johannesburg, three-times per week, operating on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
This new route is part of South African Airways’ continued expansion in North America, where the airline is the only carrier to offer daily nonstop service from New York -JFK International Airport to Johannesburg, South Africa.
The new flight schedule is as follows (all times are local):
Washington D.C. – Accra – Johannesburg
SA #210 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)
SA #209 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday)
Depart Washington D.C – IAD: 5.40pm
Depart Johannesburg, South Africa: 5.25pm
Arrive Accra, Ghana: 7.40am +1
Arrive Accra, Ghana: 9.45pm
Depart Accra, Ghana: 8.40am +1
Depart Accra, Ghana: 10.45pm
Arrive Johannesburg, South Africa: 4.30pm +1
Arrive Washington D.C – IAD: 6.05am +1
Washington D.C. – Dakar – Johannesburg
SA #208 (Wednesday, Friday, Sunday)
SA #207 (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)
Depart Washington D.C – IAD: 5.40pm
Depart Johannesburg, South Africa: 6.30pm
Arrive Dakar, Senegal: 5.50am +1
Arrive Dakar, Senegal: 01.05am+1
Depart Dakar, Senegal: 6.50am +1
Depart Dakar, Senegal: 2.05am+1
Arrive Johannesburg, South Africa: 5.15pm +1
Arrive Washington D.C – IAD: 6.25am +1
For reservations and information, customers should visit www.flysaa.com or contact South African Airways’ North America Reservations Center at 1-(800) 722-9675, or their professional travel consultant.
About South African Airways
South African Airways (SAA), South Africa’s national flag carrier and the continent’s most awarded airline, serves 67 destinations worldwide in partnership with SA Express, Airlink and its low cost carrier Mango.
In North America, SAA operates daily nonstop flights from New York-JFK and direct flights from Washington D.C.-IAD (via Accra, Ghana and Dakar, Senegal) to Johannesburg. SAA has codes share agreements with United Airlines, Air Canada and JetBlue Airways, which offer convenient connections from more than 30 cities to SAA’s flights. SAA is a Star Alliance member and the recipient of the Skytrax 4-Star rating for 13 consecutive years.
Contact:
Camille Imbert
South African Airways
Telephone: +1-954-646-0200
camilleimbert@flysaa.com
SOURCE: South African Airways
Oral Ofori is Founder and Publisher at www.TheAfricanDream.net, a digital storyteller and producer, and also an information and research consultant.
