SAA to launch direct service to Beijing

South Africa's flag carrier South African Airways will launch direct flights between Johannesburg and the Chinese capital Beijing on 01 September 2011, following South Africa having joined the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) informal trade bloc.  Flights will be operated by a A340-600 capable of carrying 379 passengers in a three-class cabin layout. The airplane provides similar passenger capacity to a Boing 747 but with 25 percent more cargo volume, and at lower trip and seat costs. Travelles currently have to travel by way of Hong Kong, Singapore or even Europe to get to Beijing.