SAA fly’s direct to New York

South African Airways (SAA) is revamping its schedule with new direct services to New York and more seats on routes into Africa.

"Effective 01 May 2011, we will offer our customers the convenience of flying non-stop between Johannesburg and New York. Our non-stop flights to New York will allow a full day in Johannesburg with an early morning arrival in New York.

"Further, the reduced travel time result in fast and efficient connections to several key US destinations such as Boston, Chicago, Florida, California, as well as Canada and the Caribbean," says Theunis Potgieter, SAA’s General Manager: Commercial.

The non-stop flight from Johannesburg to New York (SA203) will depart OR Tambo International Airport daily at 20h35 arriving John F. Kennedy International Airport at 6h40, whilst the non-stop flights from New York (SA204) will depart daily at 11h15 arriving in OR Tambo International Airport at 8h40.

Due to increased demand for services in Africa, SAA will also introduce the wide-body Airbus 340 on flights to Kenya and Namibia. From the end of March, the airline will also introduce wide-body services between Johannesburg and Windhoek on 7 of its 20 weekly services.

Full the full article on iafrica.com, click here.

Seriously Beautiful Cape Town

This clip offers a different perspective of Cape Towns unique beauty, using short time lapse photography. Table Mountain and its swirling clouds take center stage in a day in the life of Cape Town’s City Bowl.

The sounds track is rather dramatic, but its still works well in setting the scene. We look forward to the full length feature later this year.

The prelude film was put together by Silver Bullet production.

Cape Winelands Hotel tops TripAdvisor

The Steenberg Hotel in Cape Town’s Constantia Valley was named the Best Luxury Hotel in Africa by http://www.tripadvisor.com/, in its 2011 Travelers’ Choice awards.

Praised for its ‘excellent service and perfect mixture of old world charm and modern amenities’, Steenberg topped the list as voted by real travellers from across the globe, many of whom have stayed at the hotel, and experienced its service and amenities.

South African hotels also proudly claimed 2nd and 3rd place in the same category, with Four Rosmead in Cape Town and Hunter’s Country House in Harkerville taking the honours respectively.

This is the ninth year that the “Travelers’ Choice Awards” has been conducted, with catagories such as best bargain hotels to best luxury hotels.