South African Airways begins 100-day countdown

South African Airways (SAA), Africa's most awarded airline, has begun the 100-day countdown as it continues to prepare to welcome the world to South Africa for the championship tournament that will begin June 11th. For fans, it's not too late to purchase seats on flights to the event, as there are still seats available during this highly anticipated month of soccer revelry that will take place with South Africa's wondrous vistas as the backdrop.

"100 days from today, the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ will begin, and as the flag carrier of South Africa, we're immensely proud that our homeland is hosting the first World Cup to be held on the African continent," said Marc Cavaliere, executive vice president of North America for South African Airways. "Fans who have not booked their plane tickets should not despair, as there are still seats to be purchased for travel during the tournament. But they should take action and book soon, as the excitement continues to build and seats will be snapped up."

Soccer enthusiasts can call 1-800-722-9675, where SAA agents will help fans find the best dates and lowest fares for travel to the FIFA World Cup™. Fans can also visit www.flysaa.com <http://www.flysaa.com/> to find the lowest fares.

South African Airways has a specially-created corporate division in place dedicated to ensure that fans have the most comfortable and convenient service to and between the World Cup matches, including a round-the-clock domestic African flight schedule that will make it easy to fly to and from matches in the different cities. This schedule will complement SAA's already extensive flight schedule throughout Southern Africa that connects with the airline's daily flights from New York JFK and Washington, D.C. In addition, all South African Airways flights in Johannesburg depart from the new, state-of-the-art Terminal B, providing for smooth and timely flight connections through a beautiful and modern terminal packed with many shopping, dining and relaxation options. A new lounge will provide Premium Business Class passengers with a luxurious haven in which to catch up on work, grab a bite to eat, or freshen up with revitalizing rainfall showers.

To book flights or learn more, fans can call 1-800-722-9675.

South African Airways features daily nonstop service from the U.S. to South Africa with morning departures from New York JFK and afternoon direct service from Washington Dulles (with a stop in Dakar, Senegal) that offer travel convenience and award-winning service. Travelers in Premium Business Class enjoy 180° fully flat-bed seats, and in Economy Class enjoy the most legroom versus competitors. Every seat on board offers an individual on-demand entertainment system, plush pillow, warm blanket and amenity kit. SAA's unrivaled network, featuring seamless connections to more than 20 destinations within South Africa, and more than 20 cities across the rest of the continent, makes the airline the savvy traveler's "gateway to Africa." To complement this network, a world of privileges awaits those who join Voyager, South African Airways' premier mileage program.

To sign up, visit www.flysaa.com, and link to the Voyager icon. As a Star Alliance member, South African Airways is able to offer its customers 1,077 destinations in 175 countries and more than 19,700 flights daily, including convenient connections from more than 25 cities in the U.S. through code share service with Star Alliance member United Airlines. Members of United's, Continental's, US Airways' and Air Canada's frequent traveler programs are able to earn and redeem miles on all SAA flights. For more information on South African Airways, please call (800) 722-9675 or visit www.flysaa.com, where travelers can sign up to be notified of other great travel deals and vacation packages. For information about South Africa, visit www.southafrica.net.