If there is an African Airline that has positioned itself to reap maximum benefit from this year’s World Cup, it is the host airline, South African Airways. The airline has 20 domestic destinations and 25 destinations across Africa ; a Skywards airline partner with Emirates(The Official Airline of World Cup 2010) and two domestic budget subsidiaries .Plus it’s sitting pretty in the prestigious Star Alliance! And now, just in time for the World Cup, SAA has a new scoop!
The airline, “Africa’s Most Awarded Airline” and New York’s hometown airline, JetBlue Airways have signed an Interline Agreement Effective May 12 .Travellers will be able to purchase flights between all JetBlue destinations and 40 SAA cities in Southern Africa via New York’s JFK Airport hence providing new and convenient connection options for both SAA and JetBlue Customers wishing to travel between US and Southern Africa. JFK Airport
Image Courtsey JetBlue Flickr
Effective May 12, customers will be able to purchase a single itinerary for travel on flights of both carriers in one simple transaction hence giving a smooth travel experience, increased convenience for travellers on both sides of the Atlantic allowing customers to travel on a single e-ticket and through check in. This is something travellers between the US and African cities like Nairobi , Lagos , Cairo , Addis Ababa
“There are lots of travellers flying to South Africa and Southern Africa that originate in many of the cities that JetBlue currently serves. We have had numerous requests from our customers expressing an interest in being able to easily connect to SAA’s flights at JFK.It was an easy decision to create a seamless travel experience with JetBlue. “Said Marc Cavaliere,SAA’s executive Vice President for North America.
SAA, through its corporate division also has a round the clock domestic flight schedule that will make it easier for fans to fly to and from different South African cities in between matches.
Image courtesy flysaaspecials.com
African travellers and aviation enthusiasts have most likely heard of JetBlue and its innovative set of services! Jetblue is ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Amongst low cost airlines in North America” by JD Power and Associates;This is also the “Twitter Airline” that revolutionized the use of Twitter, employing the microblogging site as a sales and customer service tool with great wit and dedication! I hope SAA, who still use ancient Egyptian digital marketing strategies will learn few lessons from their new American friend and embrace the new media to interact with their clients during the World Cup excitement! .
This Airway of South Africa is really good.
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