The flights are available for booking with immediate effect.

In total British Airways, will operate 34 additional flights a week on routes serviced from Johannesburg, which includes Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth as well as between Cape Town and Durban.

Shaun Pozyn, Head of Marketing for British Airways (operated by Comair) says: “For more than two decades, we have always proudly served South Africa, its people and its businesses.

“Having more frequent flights, will mean more choice for tourists and business travellers alike, giving our customers more flights to the destinations they love, under the British Airways brand.

‘The routes on which we are increasing frequency are already very popular and by introducing more frequency on these routes, we will give customers even more flexibility and more choice”.

Apart from the upped frequency on these selected routes, British Airways will continue to service the various destinations that they travel to in sub-Saharan Africa, those being Harare, Livingstone, Victoria Falls, Windhoek and Mauritius.

This means that both airlines operated Comair – the other is budget carrier kulula.com – permit use of devices aboard their flights. These devices include but aren’t limited to, handheld, lightweight electronic devices such as tablets, e-readers, smartphones and other small devices such as MP3 players, electronic toys and smartwatches.

Shaun Pozyn, Head of Marketing at kulula.com and British Airways (operated by Comair) said, “Safety is always our foremost priority. We have worked very closely with the South African Civil Aviation authority to approve this new policy on our aircraft, which is a significant enhancement to our customer experience”. 

He added, “Previously, customers had to turn off and stow all electronic devices during taxi, take-off and landing. We’re delighted to announce that passengers will now be able to read e-books, play games, watch videos and get some business done from gate-to-gate”. 

The 737 MAX range is the latest incarnation of the most popular jet aircraft ever. It is equipped with the latest technology to improve the customer experience, range, flexibility and fuel efficiency and deliver unmatched reliability.

As part of its fleet renewal strategy, Comair ordered eight of these aircraft, with next arriving in March and the last one due for delivery in 2022. It is the first airline in Southern Africa to acquire the 737 MAX 8 and the new aircraft will replace its remaining Boeing 737-400s. Wrenelle Stander, Executive Director of Comair’s Airline Division, says Comair already has the most modern and efficient fleet in South Africa and the new aircraft will further increase its competitiveness.

“More seats, lower operating costs and less maintenance downtime will enhance operating efficiency and improve punctuality.”

Lufthansa Technik will service Comair’s 737 MAX 8 aircraft. “Lufthansa Technik’s experience with the aircraft type and the operational efficiencies we will gain from faster turnaround times will enable us to fully leverage the benefits of our investment and improve customer service,” says Stander.

The fleet renewal strategy has been delivering results since it began in 2001 and the airline now uses 55% less fuel per passenger.

Comair’s two airline brands, British Airways – which it operates under licence – and kulula.com, fly to 11 destinations in South and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean.

João Miguel Santos, Managing Director of Sub-Saharan Africa, for Boeing International and Director of International Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Africa, says: “Africa’s jetliner fleet is forecast to more than double in the next 20 years as the continent’s major economies grasp the value of aviation in boosting trade, tourism and commerce both within Africa and between Africa and the rest of the world. Three-quarters of the growth will be single-aisle aircraft, showing the 737 range’s ongoing popularity and its role in not only airlines’ success, but commercial aviation in socio-economic development.”

Technical specifications 737 MAX 8 – British Airways operated by Comair:

Have a look at some of the delivery ceremony highlights:

• Fuel saving graph
• Fleet Renewal Strateg
• Assembly of our MAX 8 video