South African Airways (SAA) and Portuguese national carrier TAP Portugal will expand their current code-share service between Portugal and South Africa effective 7 March. The new services, available now for booking and purchase on both Star Alliance partners, will be in addition to the current code share services offered via London (Heathrow) on SAA-operated routes between Johannesburg, Cape Town and London, and on TAP Portugal-operated routes between London and Lisbon.
SAA customers will benefit from new connecting code share services beyond Lisbon to other Portuguese destinations within the TAP domestic network, including Porto, Faro and Funchal (Madeira). TAP customers will now benefit from connecting flights beyond Johannesburg to other South African cities in the SAA domestic network, such as Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London.
The code share has also been expanded to include the West African connecting point of Accra in Ghana. TAP will operate the Lisbon – Accra route with SAA as the code share partner, while SAA will operate the Accra – Johannesburg route with TAP Portugal as the code share partner.
“SAA is pleased to further expand the code share agreement with TAP. Our customers can look forward to an even wider range of travel services and destinations,” said Marc Cavaliere, Head of Global Sales Development and Alliances. “It will allow alternative, improved and expanded connectivity between each airline’s networks, with significant benefits to be offered to passengers on both airlines.”
“TAP Portugal is thrilled to be able to further expand its service offer between Portugal and South Africa, through its successful cooperation with South African partner SAA, therefore providing extra options and easier access to the exceptionally large Portuguese community in South Africa, for travel between both countries,” said José Guedes Dias, Vice-President Alliances & External Relations, TAP Portugal. “Adding convenient and diverse service options to our customers is one of our primary goals, which we intend to keep focused upon.”
As members of Star Alliance, TAP Victoria Members can earn miles when flying on qualifying flights, with a 200 percent Class-of-Service Bonus when flying in Business Class. All miles accrued count towards earning status.
SAA Voyager offers its members an added advantage towards earning and spending their Voyager Miles across the network. Top tier members can also enjoy access to Star Alliance lounges wherever applicable.
In addition, TAP and SAA offer reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including lounge access. Customers of both airlines will also enjoy one-ticket itineraries and through baggage check.
Source: SAA
