8 February 2023: British Airways has announced a codeshare partnership with Airlink, improving connectivity between the UK, Europe, North America and more than 15 destinations in Southern Africa.
With bases in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban in South Africa, Airlink is a premium regional airline with a wide-reaching network of cities in 14 countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia.
The agreement means British Airways’ customers travelling from or transiting through London will be able to connect to their final destination via Cape Town or Johannesburg on a single ticket. This will offer more choice and flexibility for those travelling on to one of 18 towns and cities, such as Windhoek in Namibia and Durban in South Africa.
British Airways currently flies twice daily between London Heathrow and Johannesburg with A380 aircraft, twice daily between London Heathrow and Cape Town with B777 and A350 aircraft and three times per week between London Gatwick and Cape Town with B777 aircraft.
Members of British Airways’ loyalty programme, the Executive Club, can earn Avios when flying on Airlink flights on a British Airways’ codeshare journey. Avios is the programme’s currency, which can be used as part-payment towards Reward Flights or upgrades, as well as hotel stays, car hire and more.
Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Director of Network and Alliances, said: “Our flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg continue to be as popular as ever with our customers, so we’re pleased to be able to open up more options in the Southern African region. Our partnership with Airlink means that customers will be able to book a full journey on one ticket, allowing seamless travel all the way from London to their final destination.”
Airlink’s CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster, said: “This is an important next step in our partnership with British Airways, which has a phenomenal global reach into the most important markets for our region. The marriage of our two networks will benefit both British Airways’ and Airlink’s customers, giving them even more choice with a wide range of itinerary options and connectivity possibilities.”
In total, 18 destinations are available as codeshare options when travelling from Heathrow via Johannesburg and Cape Town. Examples include:
- London Heathrow to Durban via Johannesburg
- London Heathrow to Port Elizabeth, South Africa, via Cape Town or Johannesburg
- London Heathrow to Skukuza, South Africa via Cape Town or Johannesburg
- London Heathrow to Windhoek, Namibia via Cape Town or Johannesburg
- London Heathrow to Walvis Bay, Namibia via Cape Town or Johannesburg
Codeshare tickets are now available to book on www.ba.com, for travel from 15 February 2023 onwards.
Other Southern Africa destinations are pending government approval and might join the codeshare agreement at a later date.
ENDS
About British Airways’ flight network
In addition to its own extensive network, British Airways has arrangements with a selection of other airlines to make even more destinations easily available to its customers. Flights with partner airlines are all bookable through ba.com and allow Executive Club members to earn Avios.
British Airways’ transatlantic partnerships includes American Airlines, Aer Lingus, Finnair and Iberia, while its partnership with Qatar Airways connects customers from the UK to Doha and beyond. Those travelling to Japan or China can also take advantage of partnerships with Japan Airlines and China Southern.
British Airways is also part of oneworld®, an alliance of world class airlines, committed to providing the highest level of service and convenience across more than 900 destinations in more than 170 countries worldwide. Customers enjoy an array of special privileges and rewards, including access to over 620 premium airport lounges.
For more, visit: www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/partners-and-alliances
About Airlink
Airlink was established in 1992 and is an independent, privately-owned, premium airline. Choice and reliability are Airlink hallmarks, with the airline serving more than 45 destinations in 14 countries throughout Southern Africa, Madagascar, St Helena and Ascension islands.
Airlink has consistently been the most on-time domestic airline over the last three years, with its fleet of more than 60 modern jetliners achieving a 95.52% average on-time performance* in 2022. Airlink is an International Air Transport Association (IATA) member and accredited under its safety audit programme.
*measured by the Airports Company South Africa.
Media Contacts
Carla da Silva
Airlink Executive Manager, Sales & Marketing
Tel: +27 11 451 7325
Karin Murray
Marketing & Sales Manager
Tel: +27 11 451 7335 / +27 82 854 1988
Linden Birns - Plane Talking
Media Relations & PR Advisor to Airlink
Tel: +27 82 568 8031
