New long-haul international flight lands in South Africa

Lufthansa is now officially operating flights between Johannesburg and Munich, Germany.

After a 19-year hiatus, Lufthansa’s first flight from Munich to Johannesburg arrived on 3 September, creating a new nonstop long-haul flight between Johannesburg and Munich.

“Munich, with its award-winning airport, is a popular and beautiful city in the heart of Europe. It is also a convenient hub to take advantage of numerous onward flights,” said Lufthansa’s CEO, Jens Ritter.

“Our customers in South Africa will have more choice and travel options departing from Johannesburg, as this new connection complements our daily service to Frankfurt. Both routes are priced at the same level, allowing passengers to combine both routes.”

The new service will operate year-round, with flights scheduled every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday morning.

The route will use the Airbus A350-900, which can accommodate 293 passengers across Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class.

The flight takes 10.5 hours, with travellers departing Johannesburg at 8:20 AM and arriving in Munich at 6:50 PM.

The service now expands Lufthansa’s operations in South Africa, with carriers Lufthansa, SWISS and Edelweiss now offering 34 weekly connections to Europe from South Africa as per its European winter schedule.

“We are delighted to welcome the reintroduction of Lufthansa’s direct route between Munich and Johannesburg, which offers significantly more weekly seats to travellers between Germany and South Africa,” Says Mpumi Mpofu, CEO of ACSA.

“The nonstop connection between Munich and Johannesburg will undoubtedly boost bilateral trade, create jobs and contribute to the overall economic prosperity of both respective regions. It will also improve South Africa’s position as a main player in the global aviation network.”

“Lufthansa Airlines has been a pivotal partner in enhancing the aviation landscape at O.R.
Tambo International Airport.”

The Munich route opens South African travels to over 130 global destinations, including Europe, American, Asia and the Middle East.

The route was part of Lufthansa’s schedule until 2005 and is set to reconnect South Africa with the German city.

Munich has a population of 1.5 million and is famed for its annual Oktoberfest, Christmas markets and football club, Bayern Munich.

“This inaugural is a milestone in our 62-year-long history in South Africa. Connecting Johannesburg with
Munich is an exciting match as Bavaria and Gauteng both show a dynamic business environment and have economic ties into many sectors,” said the groups.

“Both destinations are also popular with many leisure travellers who find numerous unique attractions – with the benefit of almost no time difference, therefore no jetlag. This huge capacity increase will also contribute to the tourism sector in South Africa.”

The cheapest standard return fare from Johannesburg to Munich is R14,517 in Economy Class, including tax.

Lufthansa’s new route is not the only new long-haul flight coming to South Africa in 2024.

South African Airways started flying to Perth, Australia, in April of this year.

The state-owned company also hopes to open new routes to Frankfurt, Munich, London, and cities on the east coast of the US by the year ending March 2028.

Low-cost Norwegian airline Norse Atlantic Airways will also launch a new route connecting London Gatwick Airport with Cape Town International Airport in late October.

Lufthansa also told BusinessTech that it will operate a seasonal flight between Cape Town and Munich starting in November.

Read: FlySafair launching new international flight next month