Delta just cancelled June 1 ATL to JNB flight

[autofire]

I just ran 13 June - 23 June Comfort + on Delta and it was accepted for $2700 and change.,

June 1 start date was canceled thru june 5, even though Delta had sold tickets for those dates. Perhaps your booking dates will remain and not canceled. But my June 3td departure got cancelled.

 

[thriller]

This is the route I’m taking this year... so far so good ...

same i hope notheing changes

 

[CoElkHunter]

Spend some time playing with cost from smaller airports that fly to a domestic international airport first.

For instance a Basic Delta flight to Jburg from ATL in August is ~$2300, but if you go from Charlotte to Joburg, the flight cost is $1094. That is the same overseas flight as the direct flight.

I'm not 100% sure I know why, but I guess it has to do with filling other planes.

Interesting?

 

[Red Leg]

This may help someone's planning. If you can get to Philly, the Qatar schedule from there to JNB. PHL-DOH-JNB is 30 hours and no layover in Joburg. It arrives at 4:00 a.m. For comparison, previous trips on Delta, twenty three hours, PHL-ATL-JNB and an overnight in Joburg added another fourteen hours travel time before the in country flight. I looked at the seating on these flights in May and a lot of open seats. I suspect Delta and United just don't have the load. May or may not have any relevancy but friends that go to Florida in the winter are driving instead of their usual flying and renting a car.

You are essentially doing the layover on the aircraft. If you can swing business class (which is a relative bargain), you will be just about as comfortable (flat sleeping) and the food, wine, and service will be significantly better than the City Lodge. I am flying Qatar out of Houston in August (hopefully).

 

[Red Leg]

Europe is open to Covid weary and stuck foreign travelers?

Europe is pretty much still in lockdown with respect to non-essential travel from the US.

 

[Hogpatrol]

You are essentially doing the layover on the aircraft. If you can swing business class (which is a relative bargain), you will be just about as comfortable (flat sleeping) and the food, wine, and service will be significantly better than the City Lodge. I am flying Qatar out of Houston in August (hopefully).

Roger that and yes a real bargain for business. We're doing business to JNB and for now, economy bulkhead seats on the way home and cheaper than Delta economy. We also get out of the five hour layover in Atlanta. Flying time is however three hours longer with the Doha detour.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Europe is pretty much still in lockdown with respect to non-essential travel from the US.

That's what I thought, but was confused by the "Tour of Italy" suggestion in one of the posts here? Guess one can tour the aircraft cabin or arriving airport for hours on end during the 23-30 hour adventure?

 

[Edge]

Wife and I are booked on Delta 8 June ATL to JNB, not looking good. A lot of empty seats in coach.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Something to consider by those stuck on staying with Delta versus Qatar or Ethiopian. Delta's JNB to the U.S. flight now stops in Capetown so you are staying on the plane for one hour and forty minutes and the flight time has now been extended approximately four hours.

Edit: Did a test booking on June 29 and looked at the occupied seats on Delta, out of JNB to CPT. Business had seven seats occupied. The remainder of the aircraft had ten seats purchased. CPT to ATL had five business and the remainder, fourteen seats purchased. YMMV but I wouldn't waste the time or effort to book with Delta anytime in the next six months. Ironic, years ago, I booked six to eight months in advance to get a seat.

 

[JHT]

My info checks with autofire's. Per Lori: Delta is scheduled to start the ATL to JNB on June 5th.

 

[sierraone]

Best of luck to all of you. I am staying out of the fray until the BS is over, even though I recovered most of my money from last year when everything was paid up front except trophy fees. It still was worrisome headaches to deal with. Still out the money for the basic hunt and hope to use it eventually. My only good news I guess is that I receive my second covid shot tomorrow morning.

 

[gizmo]

I dont know if Ethiopian is flying into Jo-burg, I'm flying them to Namibia in 2 weeks. Shawn at Gracy set me up with them. She has said that they have been the most reliable out of all the airlines getting in and out of destinations in Africa. May be an option for some of ya'll if your airline cancels your flights. IDK but maybe that will help someone.

 

[wlambert]

I'm booked June 6th from ATL to JNB on Delta. Either I will be incredibly travel-lucky for the first time...ever, or my flight will get canned in the next week. Nothing to do but wait and see, then evaluate options.

 

[shootist~]

Yep. I got the same cool yer jets response from Lori. Will just have to wait a few days and see if they start up on or about June 5.

 

[Trogon]

I dont know if Ethiopian is flying into Jo-burg, I'm flying them to Namibia in 2 weeks. Shawn at Gracy set me up with them. She has said that they have been the most reliable out of all the airlines getting in and out of destinations in Africa. May be an option for some of ya'll if your airline cancels your flights. IDK but maybe that will help someone.

@gizmo , Ethiopian does go to Johannesburg, they are my carrier from Washington DC to Addis Abba and onward to South Africa later this month. Feels great to be able to say that! Just waiting for the other shoe to drop somewhere in this big mess.

 

[Edster]

What was the reason for canceling? COVID or just didn’t sell enough seats?

Until Uncle Joe opens up the US to NON Citizen travelers, Delta will continue to cancel its Jburg run. Why run a flight over when they know it will be empty coming back. Just good business sense.

 

[WAB]

Europe is pretty much still in lockdown with respect to non-essential travel from the US.

What is the prognosis on travel to Europe? With the COVID numbers declining I am wondering why restrictions aren’t being lifted.

 

[wiltznucs]

I'm flying united on June 18th. It was 1350.00. Delta wanted 2200.00 for the flight. As of now everything is still on

Same boat, flying United from Tampa -> Newark -> Johannesburg. Leaving on the 17th.

Got the wife and kids tagging along and all in a little more than $5,000 for all four of us. Booked back in September.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I have not yet been overseas, so I have nothing by way of comparison. I am booked with Qatar in May. I have read nothing but good things about them, so I remain hopeful and excited. For those experiencing heartburn over Delta... I am truly sorry.

 

[Vintageguy]

Until Uncle Joe opens up the US to NON Citizen travelers, Delta will continue to cancel its Jburg run. Why run a flight over when they know it will be empty coming back. Just good business sense.

No uncle of mine. I prefer to call him The Stairmaster.
I suspect you’re right but it certainly sucks for safari planning.