Emirates, South African Airways expand codeshare opening 9 more African destinations for travellers
Single-ticket journeys and checked baggage simplify regional connections
DUBAI – Travellers flying with Emirates and South African Airways (SAA) will soon enjoy easier access to more destinations across southern and central Africa after both airlines announced a major expansion of their long-running codeshare partnership.
The enhanced agreement adds nine cities to the combined network while marking the start of a reciprocal codeshare arrangement between the two carriers. For passengers, the move means simpler bookings, smoother transfers and greater connectivity across the region.
The expanded partnership follows regulatory approvals that now allow Emirates to place its code on selected SAA-operated flights, significantly extending its reach beyond South Africa's main international gateways. The airlines said the agreement strengthens connectivity across Africa while providing customers with more travel choices and a more seamless journey.
What changes
Since launching their partnership, Emirates and SAA have operated under a unilateral codeshare arrangement, with SAA placing its code on Emirates-operated services between Dubai and Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. SAA customers have also enjoyed interline access to 68 Emirates destinations worldwide through Dubai.
Under the new reciprocal agreement, Emirates customers will now gain access to nine additional routes operated by SAA. These include three domestic South African services connecting Johannesburg with Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.
The partnership also expands regional connectivity with flights linking Johannesburg to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gaborone in Botswana, Windhoek in Namibia, Lusaka in Zambia, Harare in Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Traveller benefits
The agreement is expected to make travel significantly more convenient for passengers flying to southern and central Africa. Instead of purchasing separate tickets for different airlines, customers will be able to book their entire journey on a single ticket while benefiting from coordinated flight schedules.
Passengers will also enjoy through-checked baggage, allowing luggage to be transferred directly to the final destination without the need to collect and recheck bags during transit. The simplified travel experience is designed to make journeys across the region smoother for both leisure and business travellers.
According to the airlines, the expansion also responds to strong demand for travel to South Africa from major international markets, particularly across Europe, while improving access to destinations throughout southern and central Africa.
Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim described the reciprocal codeshare as a natural evolution of a partnership that has served customers for many years. He said placing the Emirates code on SAA's domestic and regional network opens seamless access to destinations across South Africa and neighbouring countries while reinforcing the airline's long-term commitment to the country and the wider African region.
SAA Acting Group CEO Matshela Seshibe said the expanded agreement represents an important milestone in the airline's strategy to strengthen connectivity across Africa while improving access to global markets. He added that combining SAA's growing African network with Emirates' extensive international reach would deliver greater value for customers while reinforcing Johannesburg's role as a key gateway for travel, trade and tourism across the continent.
Long partnership
Emirates and South African Airways have partnered for almost 30 years, making it one of the longest-standing airline partnerships in Emirates' global network. Since the relationship began in 1997, millions of passengers have travelled through the joint network using seamless, single-ticket itineraries.
Emirates has served South Africa since 1995, beginning with its inaugural Johannesburg service before expanding operations to Cape Town and Durban. The airline has carried more than 20 million passengers to and from South Africa and currently operates 56 weekly flights across the three gateways.
South Africa also remains the only destination in Emirates' African network served by all three of the airline's widebody aircraft types, including the Boeing 777, Airbus A380 and Airbus A350. Emirates' Premium Economy cabin is currently available on flights between Dubai and both Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Tickets for the newly expanded codeshare routes are now available through Emirates' website, travel agents and Emirates retail stores, giving passengers immediate access to the broader combined network across southern and central Africa.