Newbie has basic questions/ NYC to Capetown
 

Trying to figure out the best way to get from NYC to Capetown in early 2019. Looking at several airline choices. SAA is the cheapest. Would be flying economy from JFK through Johannasberg. Seat selection 48 hours prior to flight (would this be a huge mistake?) No mileage loyalty on any airline. Other airlines route through Dubai or London. Any thoughts on the best flights for this route? Is there a reason SAA is cheaper than the others?

Significantly shorter flight time on SAA. 19 hours including connections on SAA, 25 hours on Emirates and 22 on BA. That said, I'm surprised SAA is cheaper since they usually apply a decent premium for the nonstop JFK flight,

What is your criteria for best?

• Price
• Total flight time
• Departure & arrival time
• Frequent flyer earning ? (SAA is Star Alliance)
• Seat allocation

Capetown as the destination limits your choices.
More airlines to JNB and then a separate ticket to Capetown is another option

While indeed there are more airlines that fly to JNB, there are also so many that fly to CPT which OP can use with a single connection - AF,BA,KL,LH,QR,EK to name a few, I would personally avoid JNB is there is no good reason to connect there, and even more so on separate tickets.

So many smoother places to connect then JNB, JNB isn't bad but not the best. My favourite is Dubai or Doha, plus would SAA still be around in 2019 ? ;)

Thanks for all the suggestions! Turns out that SAA is not the cheapest, just the shortest. Lots of choices. BA might be our best bet right now.

I think Kenya Airways is initiating a JFK-NBO nonstop. Maybe connect to CPT from NBO? KQ prices are really good in J.

Just to follow up...ended up finding a great fare (almost half the cost of SAA) on Delta/KLM through Amsterdam. Longer flight, but so much cheaper, and we tend to accumulate Delta miles. Flight home is good as we are leaving out of Cape town and would have to connect on any airline.