New international flight option for South Africans to Europe: Here’s the COST

Johannesburg gained a new connection when a Lufthansa Airbus A350 landed at O. R. Tambo International Airport at 06:43 on Tuesday.

After a 19-year hiatus, Lufthansa has announced the launch of its new nonstop long-haul service between Johannesburg and Munich in Germany.

Onboard the inaugural flight was Lufthansa’s CEO, Jens Ritter, who symbolically cut the ribbon in Johannesburg to commemorate the new route.

“Munich, with its award-winning airport, is a popular and beautiful city in the heart of Europe. It is also a convenient hub to take advantage of numerous onwards flights. Our customers in South Africa will have more choice and travel options departing from Johannesburg, as this new connection complements our daily service to Frankfurt. Both routes are priced at the same level, providing passengers with flexibility to even combine both routes,” said Ritter.

When will it operate?

The new service will operate year-round from Johannesburg, with flights scheduled every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday morning.

Passengers will travel on the modern and fuel-efficient Airbus A350-900, which accommodates up to 293 passengers across Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class.

With the flight departing Johannesburg at 08:20, travellers now have an alternative travel time to Europe.

It touches down at Munich airport at 18:50, in 10 and a half hours, making it one of the shortest flight times to Western Europe.

Says Mpumi Mpofu, CEO of ACSA: “We are delighted to welcome the reintroduction of Lufthansa’s direct route between Munich and Johannesburg, which offers significantly more seats per week to travellers between Germany and South Africa.

“The non-stop connection between Munich and Johannesburg will undoubtedly boost bilateral trade, create jobs and contribute to the overall economic prosperity of both respective regions.

“It will also improve South Africa’s position as a main player in the global aviation network.

“Lufthansa Airlines has been a pivotal partner in enhancing the aviation landscape at O.R.
Tambo International Airport.”

How much will it cost?

The Munich route, one of Lufthansa’s two major hubs, opens up around 130 global destinations for South African travellers, including Europe, America, Asia, and the Middle East.

This route had previously been part of Lufthansa’s schedule until 2005 and is poised to reconnect South Africa to one of Germany’s most important economic centres.

The cheapest standard return fare from Johannesburg to Munich – all taxes included – starts at R14 517 in Economy Class.