ATL-JNB - One Year Later

[ChrisW]

One year ago this week flights between Atlanta and Johannesburg, South Africa, stopping en route in Dakar, Senegal started. The launch of the new route - Dec. 4, 2006, from Atlanta and Dec. 5 from JNB - marked a major milestone in Delta's history as they first ventured into the African continent. Delta remains the only U.S. carrier to offer service from South Africa.

“The launch of our Atlanta-Dakar-Johannesburg service, a first for any U.S. carrier, was the most successful ever in our history,” said Glen Hauenstein, e.v.p.-Network Planning and Revenue Management. “With an average of 84 percent, it had the largest load factor of any of the new markets we started this year.”

Yearly average load factor: 84%.
Passengers boarded thus far: approx. 120,000.

Because of the high loads on the ATL-JNB flight during the December holiday period, the Pass Bureau advises nonrevenue flyers and buddy pass riders not to travel on the route at this time.

You know a route is kicking butt when non-rev travelers are warned about the risks of flying the route! The flight recently switched equipment to internationally-configured 767-400ERs, with AVOD IFE in every seat.

[adam613]

The flight recently switched equipment to internationally-configured 767-400ERs, with AVOD IFE in every seat.

Is that the same system as on the ex-Song 757s? I saw that for the first time over Thanksgiving...I was pretty impressed. It'd keep me busy through a flight that long if there were enough good movies :)

[ChrisW]

Yes, same system. It kept me busy all the way to Tokyo on the 777 (also cabin-wide). It really is a great system.

[MarkLawrence]

I can't wait for our flight in Feb - going to be interesting on the B764 - first time I get to fly on one too!!!