South African Airways Named U.S. Men's National Soccer Team's 'Official Airline to South Africa'

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- South African Airways (SAA), Africa's most-awarded airline, announced that it has been named U.S. Men's National Soccer Team's "Official Airline to South Africa."  South African Airways flew the team to the Confederations Cup that took place in South Africa in 2009, and has again been chosen to fly the team to South Africa in 2010.

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"South African Airways is honored that the U.S. Men's National Team has chosen to fly with us to South Africa each of the last two years," said Marc Cavaliere, executive vice president of North America for South African Airways.  "In 2009, the U.S. chose South African Airways to fly to the Confederation's Cup tournament and the team achieved some outstanding results as they reached the finals of that great international soccer tournament. We hope that SAA brings the U.S. Men's National Team continued good luck and that the team can deliver similar results in 2010.  We look forward to flying the team, as well as many of their biggest fans to help cheer the team on as they compete in this summer's tournament!"

"We are thrilled to be flying with South African Airways to South Africa this summer," said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley. "As a coach, you are aware of how important it is to the preparation of the team to travel comfortably, especially for such a long distance. South African Airways has consistently demonstrated their ability to provide excellent service to our group, and we are very pleased to know they will be taking care of us once again."

Soccer enthusiasts can call 1-800-722-9675, where SAA agents will help fans find the best dates and lowest fares for travel to South Africa and the world's biggest sports event. Fans can also visit www.flysaa.com and check a 7-day spread to find the lowest fares and best options for their travel to see the U.S. Men's National Team compete in South Africa.

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 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, call 1-800-722-9675 or visit www.flysaa.com.

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 degree 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.

ABOUT U.S. SOCCER:

Founded in 1913, U.S. Soccer has helped chart the course for soccer in the USA for more than 95 years as the governing body of the sport. In this time, the Federation's mission statement has been clear and simple: to make soccer, in all its forms, a pre-eminent sport in the United States and to continue the development of soccer at all recreational and competitive levels. To that end, the sport's growth in the past two decades has been nothing short of remarkable as U.S. Soccer's National Teams have continually succeeded on the world stage while also growing the game here in the United States with the support of its members. For more information, visit ussoccer.com.

SOURCE South African Airways