Porter Airlines and South African Airways Announce New Interline Agreement

Travelers now able to purchase tickets and access easy connections between 12 Porter Canadian destinations and SAA's 44 African destinations via Washington

TORONTO, Sept. 17, 2012 /CNW/ - Canada-based Porter Airlines and South African Airways (SAA) announced a new interline agreement that will open up connection opportunities for passengers traveling between Canada and West and Southern Africa through Porter Airlines' Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport hub and SAA's Johannesburg, South Africa hub, via Washington, DC (Dulles).  The agreement took effect on Sept. 17, with tickets between the two airlines now available for purchase through South African Airways by calling 1-800-722-9675, visiting www.flysaa.com, or calling your travel agent.

The accord between the two award-winning airlines represents a new choice for customers, with both offering extensive route networks in their respective regions, and onboard service that features a premium flying experience with a host of complimentary amenities that make the journey fly by for both business and leisure travelers.  The connection opportunities in Washington, DC (Dulles) are convenient, and travelers who book interline tickets with SAA and Porter will be able to check their baggage through to their final destination.

"We are continuing to grow Porter's interline network with the addition of South African Airways," said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. "This partnership provides improved access to unique destinations at both ends of the globe."

"South African Airways is pleased with this new agreement with Porter Airlines, which enhances flight connections for travelers between Canada and West and Southern Africa," said Todd Neuman, executive vice president, North America for South African Airways. "The business opportunities between Canada and Africa are important to SAA and this new agreement with Porter Airlines will offer new and convenient connections for our customers."

South African Airways offers non-stop service from Washington, DC (Dulles) to Dakar, Senegal, with a continuation to Johannesburg, South Africa. From Johannesburg, travelers can choose from an array of popular business and leisure destinations served by SAA and now easily accessible to Porter's customers.  Porter's service between Washington, DC (Dulles) and Toronto City Airport opens up a number of destinations in Canada for SAA's customers through this convenient airport located in the heart of downtown Toronto. Customers can also access interline routing for Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Windsor, St. John's, Halifax, and Moncton within Porter's network.

Both South African Airways and Porter Airlines have won accolades for the high quality of service they offer.  SAA has been named Best Airline in Africa for the 10^th consecutive year by industry expert Skytrax™, while Porter boasts high customer satisfaction in Canada. Both airlines are rated Official 4-Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating® by Skytrax™, a ranking well above the majority of airlines throughout the world.

To book reservations for service between Canada and West and Southern Africa on Porter Airlines and South African Airways, please call 1-800-722-9675, visit www.flysaa.com, or call your travel agent.

Sample Porter Airlines (PD) / South African Airways (SA) Itinerary:

From Toronto City Airport to Dakar and Johannesburg*:

Flight	Depart	Time	Arrive	Time
PD725	Toronto	1:35 PM	Washington Dulles	3:00 PM
SA208	Washington Dulles	5:40 PM	Dakar	6:10 AM +1
SA208	Dakar	7:10 AM	Johannesburg	5:35 PM

From Johannesburg and Dakar to Toronto City Airport*:

Flight	Depart	Time	Arrive	Time
SA207	Johannesburg	5:50 PM	Dakar	12:25PM +1
SA207	Dakar	2:05 AM	Washington Dulles	6:25 AM
PD722	Washington Dulles	9:05 AM	Toronto	10:35 AM

*All times are local.

About Porter Airlines
Founded in 2006, Porter Airlines has revolutionized short-haul flying with a warm and effortless approach to hospitality, restoring glamour and refinement to air travel. Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating® by Skytrax, and rated second in the world in Condé Nast Traveler's Readers Choice Awards Top Small Airlines category. 

The airline currently offers flights to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Moncton, Halifax, St. John's, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Windsor, New York (Newark), Chicago (Midway), Boston, Washington (Dulles) and has seasonal flights to Mt. Tremblant, Que., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Burlington, Vt. Visit www.flyporter.com or call [phone] for more information.

SOURCE: Porter Airlines Inc.

Media contact  
Brad Cicero
Porter Airlines
Tel: [phone]
[email protected]

Elizabeth Ninomiya
South African Airways
Tel: [phone]
[email protected]