Star Alliance branded Airline, South African Airways (SAA) and Air Canada has signed a code share agreement that will make it substantially easier for customers to travel between Canada and South Africa.

The national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa, SAA will code share on Air Canada-operated flights between London and Vancouver, London and Toronto, and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Toronto (including flights operated by Air Canada Express). Air Canada will in turn code share on SAA-operated services between London and Johannesburg, New York and Johannesburg, and Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The pact which will become effective as from Thursday, December 13, 2012, will allow customers connecting between the carriers in London or New York make seamless connections by booking a single itinerary.

” With flights coordinated to minimize connection times, plus the simplicity of a single itinerary, it will be easier than ever to fly between Canada and South Africa,” Vice President Alliances and Regulatory Affairs, Yves Dufresne said.

Meanwhile, Acting General Manager, Commercial for South African Airways, Manoj Papa explained that, “This code share agreement represents new and seamless travel options between two world-class airlines with a deep knowledge of their respective markets.”

He added that “Travellers based in Southern Africa and Canada will benefit greatly from the convenient travel choices now open to them, thereby increasing travel between the two regions.”