Qantas quietly resumes flights to Johannesburg today

[Andrew Curran]

This one nearly slipped by largely unnoticed, but anyway ...

Qantas is resuming their regular Sydney - Johannesburg flights today. After today's flight, QF63/64 will run three times a week every Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday using 787-9 aircraft.

QF spokesperson confirms the first flight out of Sydney today and published timetable is correct.

 

[Mattg]

I've been keeping an eye on this route over the past few weeks and good to see the route is returning more or less as planned. I think they actually brought forward the launch by about a week, compared to what was on sale a month ago.

The first flight today will return from JNB on Thursday, presumably to allow for crew rest.

Qantas was previously selling this as 6 or 7x weekly, but has now cut it back to 3x weekly for the time being. The first flights (particularly ex JNB) look very full.

 

[Mattg]

Looks like QF63 is on its way as we speak, operated by VH-ZNG.

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[BillW]

And from Perth?

 

[Guvner]

Some Biz Classic Awards open in late May / early June.

From SYD:

 

[blackcat20]

They posted on Instagram this morning

 

[docjames]

Qantas usually launch a media blitz for resumption of routes.

Wonder why not this time? Although may be saving it for QF64’s return.

 

[admin]

Some Biz Classic Awards open in late May / early June.

From SYD: View attachment 268399

I'm seeing good award availability in all classes for the next few months.

I know QF63/64 very well and have flown it often. I've never seen such good availability - especially at this time of the year and so close to the travel date. So now would be a good time (notwithstanding all the potential international travel pandemic problems) to enjoy a Cape Town summer.

I had booked a paid fare to Cape Town on SQ for early December, which unfortunately was an Omicron casualty - so I'll now be grabbing one of these QF award tickets.

 

[DC3]

And from Perth?

PER-SYD-JNB.

 

[docjames]

And from Perth?

Presumably still in brawl with PER regarding running JNB flight from their combined Dom/Int terminal rather than Int terminal - but SAA now not flying the route would certainly add to the demand if they can sort it out.

One wonders if with no direct competitor, then the SYD flight could go via PER too…..

 

[AIRwin]

One wonders if with no direct competitor, then the SYD flight could go via PER too…..

And deploy an A332 instead of a B787...

 

[Daver6]

Presumably still in brawl with PER regarding running JNB flight from their combined Dom/Int terminal rather than Int terminal - but SAA now not flying the route would certainly add to the demand if they can sort it out.

One wonders if with no direct competitor, then the SYD flight could go via PER too…..

They seem to have forgotten about that argy bargy thought and happily put the flights to FCO on. I just assumed they'll be departing from T3 and not T1.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Qantas usually launch a media blitz for resumption of routes.

Wonder why not this time? Although may be saving it for QF64’s return.

They rang the South African call centre in advance to prepare for it, but you know, wait times and all...

 

[tallPete]

I am keen to return to visit South Africa. One of the reasons I want to travel this route from Sydney is I believe it passes over or near Antarctica. Is this true? Is this considered a great benefit of flying this route, and can I see much? Thank you in advance.

 

[AIRwin]

One of the reasons I want to travel this route from Sydney is I believe it passes over or near Antarctica. Is this true? Is this considered a great benefit of flying this route, and can I see much?

Sit on left hand side:
Live Flight Tracker - Real-Time Flight Tracker Map | Flightradar24 (play the recent flight routes)

See also @Mattg 's experience:

Qf63

Good evening all,this is my first post and hopefully someone can help. I am flying on QF63 in late November in business. I have noticed that Qantas use the old 4 class and the reconfigured 3 class planes. I have been looking on The Qantas Source to see what registration numbers are used on...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Daver6]

I am keen to return to visit South Africa. One of the reasons I want to travel this route from Sydney is I believe it passes over or near Antarctica. Is this true? Is this considered a great benefit of flying this route, and can I see much? Thank you in advance.

Depending on the winds on the day you fly, you can fly far south enough to see the ice. Each day is different and no guarantees.