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Book a flight from Johannesburg to Barcelona with Qatar Airways, who are currently offering the lowest rates for this route, remember to pay a visit to the Sagrada Familia while you are there. JNB-Amsterdam R6498* leave 4 June, return 12 June JNB-Bangkok R6580* leave 4 June, return 13 June JNB-Barcelona R6524* leave 2 June, return 13 June JNB-Jeddah R6272* leave 1 June, return 11 June JNB-New York R8593* leave 1 Oct, return 8 Oct JNB-Paris R6633* leave 6 June, return 14 June JNB-Phuket R6823* leave 30 May, return 9 June JNB-Prague R6328* leave 2 June, return 12 June JNB-Zurich R6115* leave 2 June, return 13 June * there was very limited availability when we checked flight prices, so please navigate through to link in order to see if the featured price has changed. CPT-Amsterdam R7339* leave 2 Sep, return 10 Sep CPT-Dublin R6626* leave 30 May, return 9 June CPT-Geneva R6186* leave 3 June, return 10 June CPT-Mauritius R7517* leave 30 July, return 6 Aug CPT-Perth R11182* leave 30 May, return 7 June CPT-Zurich R6420* leave 1 June, return 9 June

Cheap International Flights

The tricks to booking cheap international flights from South Africa are (1) to compare all airline prices using the booking engine on the left, (2) to be flexible regarding your departure and return flight dates, (3) to start planning a year in advance, (4) to be patient and (5) to be prepared to fly indirect flights. Most of the time it pays to book well in advance, but sometimes last minute flights are the cheapest. International airlines usualy take bookings a year in advance of their flights.

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Note that the prices below may have changed.

Old international flight quotes

Cheap International airlines

When I flew from Johannesburg to New York, it was cheapest to fly with Emirates via Dubai. Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad often offer the cheapest flights, even though you first have to stop in the Middle East (Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi). For an irregular flyer this provides the opportunity to sight-see (Dubai, for instance, is home to the tallest building in the world, an indoor ski slope, desert safaris and the famous wild wadi; and Doha is going to be the venue of the Fifa World Cup 2022).

Flights to London

The most popular international flight route from South Africa is from Johannesburg to London (and Cape Town to London). If you want to fly direct, remember to consider Virgin Atlantic and British Airways in addition to SAA. Because of the fierce competition, it is sometimes cheaper to fly to Europe and the USA via London (and if flying onwards to Europe, Ryanair and easyJet offer cheap onward flights).

Popular international flight routes

The most popular international flight routes from South Africa are to London, New York, Atlanta, Paris, Frankfurt, Mumbai, Dubai, Perth, Sydney, Auckland and Singapore.

Africa flights

South Africa is becoming better connected with the rest of Africa via low cost airline routes. Fedair flies from Nelspruit and Johannesburg to Vilanculos. 1time airline now flies from Johannesburg to Maputo (Mozambique), Zanzibar (Tanzania) and Livingstone (Zambia, next to Victoria Falls). Comair (through its Kulula, BA & partner brands) flies to Livingstone, Harare (Zimbabwe), Maputo, Lusaka, Mauritius, Windhoek, Ndola, Dar es Salaam and Gaborone (Botswana).

Meals

Meals on international flights vary widely by airline, by length of flight and by class of ticket. On a low cost carrier flight, like a 1time Johannesburg to Livingstone flight, you'll have to purchase your own food. On a long haul flight with a reputable airline (like Emirates), you'll be able to select meals according to your specific dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian, non-lactose, low-sodium). The standard and choice of meals for first class passengers is far superior to that for economy class passengers. Some airlines allow you to order cake or champagne at the time of making a reservation.

The First class meal menu on an Emirates flight may include cocktails, canapés, caviar, Arabic mezze, tangerine chicken, fresh salad, soup, braised beef, samka harra, glazed duck, aubergine lasagne, vegetables, banana pudding, strawberry cheesecake, an international cheeseboard, fruit, beverages and chocolate.

Getting sick

Cramming stax of pax from various places with exotic germs into a metal can for 10 hours is a recipe for getting ill! Recirculated air containing passengers' respiratory viruses may cross into your system, and crossing time zones can throw their circadian rhythm and natural defense mechanisms into dissaray. This may be aggravated by some people's fear of flying, circulation difficulties if you don't move around and the consumption of alcohol.

Prevention is better than cure, so wear disposable masks, use antiseptic hand gel, take a flu injection well before you travel, move around and pay for a business class seat to ensure you get your sleep in.

Electrical outlets

When travelling internationally it can be frustrating arriving with the wrong adaptors. Here's a handy resource which lists electrical outlets per country.

Legroom

According to Business Traveller Magazine, these are the top 15 airlines in terms of legroom:

(1) Cathay Pacific
(1) Singapore Airlines
(3) ANA
(4) Etihad
(4) Korean Air
(6) Emirates
(6) Thai Airways
(6) Japan Airlines
(9) American Airlines
(10) Virgin Atlantic
(10) Kenya Airways
(10) United
(13) KLM
(14) Qatar Airways
(15) ANZ

Coping with long-haul flights

• Get on the right flight - only fly night flights if you manage to sleep on flights. If you can afford it upgrade to premium economy. Pack a neck pillow.

• You aren't in a fashion show on board planes - wear your most compfortable clothes, don't be afraid to wear your pajamas. If you're too embarassed to walk on the plane in your pj's then put them on when the seatbelt light turns off.

• Arrive early at the airport to get a window or an aisle seat (if you like to drink a lot go for the aisle seat, so that you can easily go to the toilet).

• Force yourself to say howzit to the person sitting next to you - it's corteous, and will also open up the chance of a conversation with your neighbour.

• The secret is to get into the right state of mind - envision the flight as an opportunity to get tasks done without distraction:

• • Attend to any computer work (take along a spare battery), and use the lowest battery use setup.

  • Get in a lengthy guided meditation (easier to do if you're next to a window seat)

  • Take a book along

  • Avoid watching movies before the flight, so that you're amped to watch when you are flying - movies kill a lot of time.

• Stretch before, after and as often as possible during the flight.

• Take along an eye mask - even if you're male you'll appreciate it. Ambient light on planes is one of the biggest reasons people struggle to sleep.

• Take along a tooth brush and face cloth, and stick as closely to your usual bed time routine as possible, to help you sleep. Maintain hygiene.  

Staying healthy on a long-haul flight

There's a cocktail of disease floating about in the air system of a typical international flight. Here's what to do to reduce your risk of getting sick:

• Regularly wash your hands

• Drink enough water to keep yourself hydrated - you'd be surprised at how dry the air is on these flights.

• Avoid sleeping pills or alcohol - these will make you feel worse at your destination. If the sleeping pills do work, you'll be stuck in the same awkward position for a long time, increasing the chances of DVT.

• Take vitamin C supplements

• Regularly get up & go for a stroll to avoid deep vein thrombosis

• Have your annual flu jab

Meals

Meals on international flights vary widely by airline, by length of flight and by class of ticket. On a low cost carrier flight, like a 1time Johannesburg to Livingstone flight, you'll have to purchase your own food. On a long haul flight with a reputable airline (like Emirates), you'll be able to select meals according to your specific dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian, non-lactose, low-sodium). The standard and choice of meals for first class passengers is far superior to that for economy class passengers. Some airlines allow you to order cake or champagne at the time of making a reservation.

The First class meal menu on an Emirates flight may include cocktails, canapés, caviar, Arabic mezze, tangerine chicken, fresh salad, soup, braised beef, samka harra, glazed duck, aubergine lasagne, vegetables, banana pudding, strawberry cheesecake, an international cheeseboard, fruit, beverages and chocolate.

Electrical outlets

When travelling internationally it can be frustrating arriving with the wrong adaptors. Here's a handy resource which lists electrical outlets per country.

Risks of travelling to countries

This map indicates the risk of terrorism and political violence in various countries. The safest countries to visit are Botswana, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Finland, Uruguay, Iceland, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago and Bahamas.