South African Airways has announced new service from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Johannesburg, South Africa beginning May 2007. The flight will make a short stop in Dakar, Senegal. With four flights a week and connections through the airline’s Star Alliance partners, travelers now have a network of over 152 countries through South African Airways.

“At SAA we are continually looking for ways to enhance our service and this new gateway brings South Africa closer and more convenient for our clients, further enhancing the very best service to Africa,” says Marc Cavaliere, Executive Vice President of SAA - North America regarding the new service.

For today’s on the go business and leisure travelers, convenience is a most precious commodity. Less time in transfers translates into more time on the ground enjoying the destination, whether that means arriving at the safari lodge in time for the afternoon game drive, or arriving in time to secure a deal before the close of business.

South African Airways’ new Chicago - Johannesburg service will operate the new Airbus 340. Powered by four Rolls Royce Trent Engines, the A340 ensures that the trip is not only incredibly fast, but also incredibly quiet.

The route features SAA’s Premium Business Class service highlighted by the airline’s award-winning 180-degree lie-flat seat bed, as well as Economy Class service with a generous 34” pitch for added legroom and comfort. South African Airways makes short work of the long haul by treating passengers in all classes of service to travel amenity kits, on-demand entertainment systems in every seat, and complimentary South African wines and spirits.

“Our new Chicago gateway is our commitment to our customers’ requests for increased service and further demonstrates that nobody offers more non-stop flights to and throughout Africa than South African Airways,” explains Cavaliere. “Stay tuned for more exciting developments to come.”

South African Airways also features the only nonstop service from the US to South Africa with daily departures from Washington. Add that to South African Airways’ daily direct service from New York and you’ll see there’s no other way to fly. The airline’s Africa network is unsurpassed, featuring connections to more than 20 destinations within South Africa, and more than 20 cities across the continent, making the airline the savvy traveler’s “gateway to Africa”. As a recent member to the worldwide Star Alliance, South African Airways is now able to offer its customers 852 destinations in 152 countries and more than 15,500 flights daily.
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