JNB flights?
#1
Ambassador, Emirates
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,273
JNB flights?
I regularly see (on Flightradar 24) EK flights on their way to / from JNB. For instance EK765 is about to land at JNB right now. As South African airports are still closed for international flights, I have been thinking these were only operated for cargo. On the other hand, repatriation flights are allowed, but how could one book these? On the AF and KL websites they are available for booking a few times each month , but not on EK. I heard 'through the grapevine' that someone travelled JNB/DZB/DUB the other day. Matter of calling EK to book? I'm personally not interested, but a family member is quite desperate to 'escape' South Africa.
#2
Join Date: May 2020
Location: DXB and JNB
Programs: EK Plat; QR Gold
Posts: 507
I regularly see (on Flightradar 24) EK flights on their way to / from JNB. For instance EK765 is about to land at JNB right now. As South African airports are still closed for international flights, I have been thinking these were only operated for cargo. On the other hand, repatriation flights are allowed, but how could one book these? On the AF and KL websites they are available for booking a few times each month , but not on EK. I heard 'through the grapevine' that someone travelled JNB/DZB/DUB the other day. Matter of calling EK to book? I'm personally not interested, but a family member is quite desperate to 'escape' South Africa.
I’ve checked several times with EK and the UAE embassy here, and haven’t been given any indication that repatriation flights are happening ex JNB. Ex DXB they were. My partner works at EK and has been keeping their ear to the ground and hasn’t heard anything. Haven’t checked for a week or so though.
I was initially quite happy to be here (SA managed the pandemic quite well initially) but I’d rather be in Dubai now, so if anyone has intel it would appreciated.
#3
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MAN DXB ✈️
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 6,831
I regularly see (on Flightradar 24) EK flights on their way to / from JNB. For instance EK765 is about to land at JNB right now. As South African airports are still closed for international flights, I have been thinking these were only operated for cargo. On the other hand, repatriation flights are allowed, but how could one book these? On the AF and KL websites they are available for booking a few times each month , but not on EK. I heard 'through the grapevine' that someone travelled JNB/DZB/DUB the other day. Matter of calling EK to book? I'm personally not interested, but a family member is quite desperate to 'escape' South Africa.
#4
Ambassador, Emirates
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,273
#5
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NY, NY
Posts: 141
We are stuck in CPT - register with the US consulate (or consulate of your home country) they will send you frequent emails informing you of evacuation flights - mostly from JNB - with Emirates/Qatar/KLM/Ethiopian/Air France and sporadically From CPT - mostly KLM.
Tickets can be purchased one way only / you don’t go to the airport you go to a gathering point and they take you to the airport in a bus. You are responsible for your own onward ticketing, and need to have the necc paperwork for transit/ final destination,
Tickets can be purchased one way only / you don’t go to the airport you go to a gathering point and they take you to the airport in a bus. You are responsible for your own onward ticketing, and need to have the necc paperwork for transit/ final destination,
#6
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NY, NY
Posts: 141
#7
Join Date: May 2020
Location: DXB and JNB
Programs: EK Plat; QR Gold
Posts: 507
We are stuck in CPT - register with the US consulate (or consulate of your home country) they will send you frequent emails informing you of evacuation flights - mostly from JNB - with Emirates/Qatar/KLM/Ethiopian/Air France and sporadically From CPT - mostly KLM.
Tickets can be purchased one way only / you don’t go to the airport you go to a gathering point and they take you to the airport in a bus. You are responsible for your own onward ticketing, and need to have the necc paperwork for transit/ final destination,
Tickets can be purchased one way only / you don’t go to the airport you go to a gathering point and they take you to the airport in a bus. You are responsible for your own onward ticketing, and need to have the necc paperwork for transit/ final destination,
#9
Ambassador, Emirates
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,273
Other lists of available out of SA flights are shown on the UK government website. From most of the hubs mentioned there (with onward flights to the UK), there should also be onward flights to the US.
#10
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: In transit
Programs: AF/KL BA GF EK EY LH QR
Posts: 587
Johannesburg
Dubai
7, 9, 11 and 14 August
Depart 18:30
Arrive 04:30am
Economy Class Fares Start From ZAR 8500.00 and Business Class From ZAR 28,000
Dubai
7, 9, 11 and 14 August
Depart 18:30
Arrive 04:30am
Economy Class Fares Start From ZAR 8500.00 and Business Class From ZAR 28,000
#11
Ambassador, Emirates
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,273
Johannesburg
Dubai
7, 9, 11 and 14 August
Depart 18:30
Arrive 04:30am
Economy Class Fares Start From ZAR 8500.00 and Business Class From ZAR 28,000
Dubai
7, 9, 11 and 14 August
Depart 18:30
Arrive 04:30am
Economy Class Fares Start From ZAR 8500.00 and Business Class From ZAR 28,000
Thanks.
The problem for anyone wanting to be on one of these flights is going to be getting a Covid19 PCR test (plus the result thereof) within 96 hours of leaving JNB. From what I understand (and I may be wrong), tests are 'reserved' for those with symptoms or those working in high risk occupations (like healthcare).
I have just advised my family member who is desperate to leave SA not even to think about EK, but to consider TK, AF, KL or LH all of whom have flights out every now and then.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 237
Johannesburg
Dubai
7, 9, 11 and 14 August
Depart 18:30
Arrive 04:30am
Economy Class Fares Start From ZAR 8500.00 and Business Class From ZAR 28,000
Dubai
7, 9, 11 and 14 August
Depart 18:30
Arrive 04:30am
Economy Class Fares Start From ZAR 8500.00 and Business Class From ZAR 28,000
I checked the availability on all four flights in Economy and Business and received the following message:
Sorry, either flights are unavailable, or seats are not available on the flights for the dates/class you have selected. Please try a new search.
I find if difficult to believe there are no sests on any of the flights. Perhaps they haven't yet been approved by the South African authorities.
#13
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,307
The problem for anyone wanting to be on one of these flights is going to be getting a Covid19 PCR test (plus the result thereof) within 96 hours of leaving JNB. From what I understand (and I may be wrong), tests are 'reserved' for those with symptoms or those working in high risk occupations (like healthcare).
https://screening.purehealth.ae/application#
#14
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: In transit
Programs: AF/KL BA GF EK EY LH QR
Posts: 587
I checked the availability on all four flights in Economy and Business and received the following message:
Sorry, either flights are unavailable, or seats are not available on the flights for the dates/class you have selected. Please try a new search.
I find if difficult to believe there are no sests on any of the flights. Perhaps they haven't yet been approved by the South African authorities.
Sorry, either flights are unavailable, or seats are not available on the flights for the dates/class you have selected. Please try a new search.
I find if difficult to believe there are no sests on any of the flights. Perhaps they haven't yet been approved by the South African authorities.