Delta Roars Back to Africa, Restoring Service to All Pre-COVID Africa Markets
With Delta’s return to Johannesburg, nonstop service from Atlanta widens US access to African gateways
Delta will is making a grand return to South Africa with nonstop service between Atlanta and Johannesburg beginning Aug. 1. The move marks more than a year since US flights to Africa were put on hold due to COVID-19. The return of the airline’s longest nonstop flight marks the milestone of Delta restoring service to all its pre-COVID markets in Africa, which include Accra, Ghana; Dakar, Senegal; and Lagos, Nigeria. Delta has been serving U.S. demand for flights to South Africa for more than 15 years.
“Two-thirds of Americans report making summer travel plans, and with demand growing rapidly alongside U.S. vaccination rates, we’re bringing back more flights and destinations to deliver on their anticipation to get back out in the world and reclaim the joy of travel,” said Joe Esposito, S.V.P. – Network Planning at Delta Air Lines.
South Africa is highly sought as both a business and vacation destination with easy opportunities to go on luxury or casual safaris, explore a long and scenic coastline that includes the confluence of the Atlantic and Indian oceans, and experience some of the world’s best wines sipped and savored in sensational surroundings. Delta’s local interline partners provide convenient connections to Cape Town. Delta’s flights to Johannesburg are operated in partnership with Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic. Customers can also reach South Africa via Delta’s European hubs in Paris and Amsterdam.
Johannesburg flights will operate using the Airbus A350-900. It will be a major debut for one of the newest aircraft in Delta’s fleet between the U.S. and South Africa. The aircraft features the notable Delta One Suites and Delta Premium Select cabins, large seat-back entertainment screens and high-capacity overhead bins, among other enhancements.
Entertainment aboard these flights also got a post-pandemic boost with the breadth new onboard content the line is featuring this summer, including 21 new feature films like the critically-acclaimed “Nomadland,” “Judas and the Black Messiah” and “The Father.”
For meal service, passengers will find menu items that reflect regional flavors. Customers seated in the Main Cabin can enjoy dishes such as beef stew with jollof rice, fried plantains and sautéed spinach, or Malay chicken curry with coconut rice and ginger-infused French green beans. Those traveling in Delta One can pre-order their meal choice on flights between the U.S. and South Africa and can enjoy such favorites as Peri Peri chicken or grilled prawns with jasmine rice.
Delta’s service between Atlanta and Johannesburg will operate as follows:
| Flight | Departs | Arrives | Operating Days |
| DL 200 | ATL at 7:00 PM | JNB at 4:30 PM (next day) | Wed/Fri/Sun |
| DL 201 | JNB at 10:55 PM | ATL at 9:15 AM (next day) | Mon/Thurs/Sat |
Connecting Passengers with Africa
Delta is currently operating some 20 weekly flights to its African markets, including daily service between Atlanta and Lagos as well as between New York-JFK and Accra, and five-times-a-week service between JFK and Dakar. On July 8, Delta will resume four-times-weekly service to Lagos from JFK as well.
Customers are encouraged to review entry requirements for their destination, including whether a vaccination certificate or negative COVID-19 test is required.
To reach an expert specializing in discounted flights to Africa and destination information, contact California-based LionofJudahtravel.com, (800) 591-4353.
