GOL and South African Airways resume codeshare agreement

Redacción - Aviación al Día

3 years ago

GOL Linhas Aéreas and South African Airways (SAA) announced Tuesday the resumption of their partnership through a codeshare agreement that will benefit GOL customers on international flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg from São Paulo/Guarulhos and also on routes within South Africa, such as Durban and Port Elizabeth. SAA customers will have connections from Guarulhos to destinations throughout Brazil.

This codeshare agreement allows both companies to market routes, increase their network and sales force in a collaboration that existed until early 2020, but had been suspended as a result of the pandemic.

For passengers, this partnership also offers a number of advantages, such as more fare options to choose from, single ticket purchase in local currency (for itineraries on both airlines), guaranteed protection on connecting flights, easier flight booking, single check-in and baggage claim for connecting trips, as well as more destinations within the GOL and South African Airways networks.

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South African Airways currently operates two weekly flights between Guarulhos and Cape Town, and another two between the São Paulo airport and Johannesburg, all operated by Airbus A330-300 aircraft with 249 seats.

GOL and South African Airways will progressively add more destinations to the codeshare agreement both in South America, with the Brazilian carrier, and in Africa, with SAA.

“The partnership with South African Airways marks a significant expansion in destination options for GOL customers, providing access to one of the most enchanting places in Africa,” says André Gaspar, GOL’s Director of Partnerships and Distribution.

As of this week, Smiles, GOL’s loyalty program, has also resumed its partnership with South African Airways. With this partnership, customers can purchase tickets on the South African airline and earn miles on Smiles, or redeem tickets on the partner airline through the program’s channels using miles, or in the Smiles & Money option.