Jet Airways is to launch its first flight to Africa in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The daily direct service from Mumbai to Johannesburg will come into effect from 14th April.

With a large number of people of Indian origin living in and/or working in South Africa, as well as its emergence as a leading business destination and wealth of tourist attractions, the new route opens up an untapped potential for India’s premier international airline. Johannesburg will be the twenty-second destination in Jet Airways’ international network.

The Airbus 330-200 will fly non-stop to the Rainbow Nation. The spacious full-length wide-bodied twin aisle cabin of the A330-200 is configured in two classes, with 30 seats in Première (Business Class) and 190 seats in Economy. The airline’s Première guests will enjoy a 180 degree flat bed with lumbar support and massage systems, oversized table, laptop power, telephony, SMS, Email and live text news to deliver a flying office, state-of-the-art On-Demand Panasonic In-Flight Entertainment (IFE), as well as the finest in-flight dining and service.

Flight 9W 242 will depart Mumbai at 0205 hrs, arriving in Johannesburg at 0735 hrs. On the return leg, flight 9W 241 will depart Johannesburg at 1100 hrs, arriving in Mumbai at 2330 hrs. Return Economy fares from various Indian cities start from INR 35,595 (approx £490) while return Première (Business) Class fares start from INR 116,020 (approx £1,600).

Jet Airways currently flies to New York (both JFK and Newark), Toronto, Brussels, London (Heathrow), Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, Bangkok, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Jeddah, Sharjah and Riyadh.