SAA & Air Canada Enter Code Sharing Agreement

South African Airways and Air Canada have entered into a code sharing agreement that will make it convenient for passengers travelling between South Africa and Canada.

In a statement, SAA said it will code share on Air Canada-operated flights between London and Vancouver, London and Toronto, and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Toronto, including flights operated by Air Canada Express.

Air Canada will in turn code share on SAA-operated services between London and Johannesburg, New York and Johannesburg, and Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Customers connecting between the carriers in London will be able to book a single itinerary and make seamless connections to South Africa or Canada.

With both airlines being preferred partners, as members of Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline network, customers will continue enjoying the benefit of earning and redeeming frequent flyer kilometres through Aeroplan or the SAA Voyager programme when flying on the code share services and throughout their respective global networks.

“SAA looks forward to introducing Air Canada’s customers to our award-winning service and extensive route network,” said Manoj Papa, SAA’s acting general manager (commercial).

“This code share agreement represents new and seamless travel options between two world-class airlines with a deep knowledge of their respective markets.

Travellers based in Southern Africa and Canada will benefit greatly from the convenient travel choices now open to them, thereby increasing travel between the two regions.”

Vice president of Alliances and Regulatory Affairs of Canada Mr Yves Dufresne Air Canada was “extremely pleased” to offer customers travelling between Canada and South Africa the added convenience of code sharing with South Africa Airways.

The Alliances and Regulatory Affairs board is responsible for Air Canada’s alliance relationships.

“With flights co-ordinated to minimise connection times, plus the simplicity of a single itinerary, it will be easier than ever to fly between Canada and South Africa,” he said.

“Customers aboard Air Canada will enjoy the best international service of any North American carrier, as recognised by the SkyTrax World Airline Awards for the past three years.”