British Airways signs deal with AirLink

British Airways has announced a new codeshare partnership with South Africa’s premium regional airline, Airlink, aiming to improve connectivity between the United Kingdom, Europe, North America and more than 15 destinations in Southern Africa. With a network of cities in 14 countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia, Airlink will offer British Airways’ customers a wider choice and flexibility for travel.

The agreement will allow customers traveling from or transiting through London to connect to their final destinations in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, or other cities in the Southern African region on a single ticket.

British Airways operates flights twice daily between London Heathrow and Johannesburg, twice daily between London Heathrow and Cape Town and three times per week between London Gatwick and Cape Town. Members of British Airways’ loyalty program, the Executive Club, can earn Avios currency when flying on Airlink flights on a British Airways codeshare journey.

According to Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Director of Network and Alliances, the partnership with Airlink will allow customers to book a full journey on one ticket, offering seamless travel from London to their final destination. Rodger Foster, CEO and Managing Director of Airlink, added that the marriage of the two networks will provide customers with more choice and a wide range of itinerary options.

Codeshare tickets are now available for booking for travel from February 15, 2023 onwards. Other Southern African destinations might join the codeshare agreement at a later date, pending government approval, according to the statement from British Airways.