A NEW TRAVEL BUBBLE
SA’s tourism recovery was dealt a harsh blow in late April, when the US government advised its citizens to avoid SA due to our high Covid-19 numbers. Well, a month later and — with their vaccine rollout going disgustingly (ie enviably) well — one of that country’s largest domestic and international carriers, United Airlines, is launching a new direct route from New York/Newark to Johannesburg next week.
General South African tourists, of course, remain banned from the US, so the point presumably of the flight is to bring tourists and business travellers in — and take them home again.
If you’re suffering from travel fomo, feeling like the entire northern hemisphere is getting back to adventuring while we remain global pariahs, same! But it is good news for inbound tourism — and a glimmer of our own travelling future, hopefully not too far away.
Admittedly, several airlines, including United, have set dates for a return to SA before, only to push them out again, but the company’s confidence this late in the day is promising. Last week, it hosted key traveltrade partners at a virtual “picnic-in-thesky” to officially launch the new service.
In fact, capitalising on vaccine optimism, United has added more than 400 daily flights to its northern-hemisphere summer schedule, and its clear belief that there is demand for a route to SA can only be a good sign.
The inaugural flight — operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner — will leave Newark at 8.45pm on Thursday June 3 and land in SA at 5.45pm on Friday. The first return flight from SA leaves on June 5.
Non-refundable, round-trip economy seats were this week priced from $1,211 (about R16,760) at united.com.
United expects to resume its seasonal direct Cape Town flight, first launched in December 2019, later this year.
Pictured here is a dose of optimism, then, especially for all you fomo sufferers. This is a celebration on May 4 in Bryant Park, on New York’s largest and most famous island, after the state announced that almost all Covid-19-related restrictions would be lifted, following a steep drop in cases thanks to their rapid progress with vaccinations. So roll on SA rollout, we’re ready with the bubbles.
● To stand a chance of winning R500, tell us the name of the island on which you will find Bryant Park. E-mail travelquiz@sundaytimes.co.za before noon on Tuesday June 1. Last week’s winner is Anton Moldan from Claremont. The correct answer was Addo Elephant National Park.