SkyTeam - RTW (Southern Hemisphere)

Don't think this is possible, but I thought I'd ask.

Planning a RTW trip in spring 2013 using DL miles, originating in central USA. Two of my potential destinations are: GIG and CPT.

I am trying to find SkyTeam flight between South America and Africa without connecting through CDG (or any other northern hemisphere connection) - because it would add un-necessary time, and miles to the trip.

So far, I have not had any success - but opening it up to the members here, for other ideas that I have not thought of.

Thanks.

As always, the best place to start looking is the SkyTeam downloadable timetable (www.skyteam.com/en/your-trip/Services/Download-Timetables/).

However, your only options for a direct TATL connection between Africa and South America are going to be either an African airline (for ST, this means KQ) or a South American airline (for ST, this means AR, as of 29 August 2012).

Unfortunately though, KQ don't yet have any flights to South America (although there are rumours they will start flying to Sao Paulo in 2014/15 (http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/rapidly-expanding-kenya-airways-charts-growth-with-plan-to-serve-every-inhabited-continent-by-2017-71784)).

Despite my advice above, as AR aren't yet a SkyTeam member (http://www.skyteam.com/en/About-us/Our-members/Future-SkyTeam-Members/AEROLINEAS-ARGENTINAS/), their flights aren't yet in the SkyTeam timetable (although they should be in a couple of weeks time). However, I don't think that AR have any flights to Africa currently.

You can also do north American connections (eg: DL GIG-ATL-JNB, although there's no ST-metal onwards to CPT). However, the KL routing GIG-AMS-CPT is still somewhat shorter.

AFAIK, the only connections between Southern Africa and South America are South African Airways to GRU and EZE (Star Alliance) and TAAG Angola's flights from Luanda to Brazil (unaligned). OW could have had soon-to-be member's Malaysian Airlines CPT-EZE but they have pulled that as they have shrunk their network in response to their financial difficulties.

Ok - thanks for the feedback. I was thinking that the RTW ticket would the best way to see South Africa, but I will only get 4 weeks of holiday for the RTW trip. So I'd prefer to not spend 30+ hours trying to go between 2 of the potential stops.

Guess I'll keep an eye out for new partners to SkyTeam - but I don't expect much to happen by spring.

Ok - thanks for the feedback. I was thinking that the RTW ticket would the best way to see South Africa, but I will only get 4 weeks of holiday for the RTW trip. So I'd prefer to not spend 30+ hours trying to go between 2 of the potential stops.

Guess I'll keep an eye out for new partners to SkyTeam - but I don't expect much to happen by spring.

It would be the best way to see South Africa if you don't also want to go straight to South America. Your other option will be to try Australia and then South America, Aerolineas Argentinas joint ST in a few weeks so you will be able to redeem on them for the direct flights.

For the use of DL miles, Virgin Australia is a DL partner but not SkyTeam member. Check whether they have any flights you might use, perhaps through SIN.

For the use of DL miles, Virgin Australia is a DL partner but not SkyTeam member. Check whether they have any flights you might use, perhaps through SIN.

Good point, it is 360K of DL miles. 2 x 180K DL RTW awards - so not ST RTW awards.

So I can look at all DL partners, not just ST members.

Good point, it is 360K of DL miles. 2 x 180K DL RTW awards - so not ST RTW awards.

So I can look at all DL partners, not just ST members.

I'm not sure if you can get Virgin Australia metal on a DL RTW award, but Virgin Australia no longer flies to JNB and codeshares with Singapore Airlines on all flights through Singapore - worth asking in the DL forum or looking through this thread - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta-skymiles/548653-my-experience-planning-skyteam-rtw-award-travel-j-2-pax.html