It took 25 hours in transit to get from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Johannesburg’s Tambo International (JNB).
First stop: Washington’s Dulles airport (IAD) where I had a layover, changed terminals, and connected to my South African Airways flight. After 8 hours in flight the A340-300 landed in Dakar, Senegal’s at Dakar-Yoff-Léopold Sédar Senghor International airport (DKR) to re-fuel, change crews, and let on new passengers. Africa is a big continent so it took 8 more hours in flight before touching down in Johannesburg, South Africa. I took a taxi from the airport to my hotel on Nelson Mandela Square.
Here’s a trip report in pictures. (Note: a different post with a flight review and video about my experience on South African Airways will be in a separate upcoming post.)
Waiting on the tarmac ready for takeoff at LAX
Departing before sunrise has an upside, like these view from my window seat
Departing LAX before dawn
In-flight breakfast aboard United Flight 272 aboard a 757-200
Up in the clouds
Arriving at IAD & Departing gate B 37 at Dulles
In-transit self portrait at Dulles. The trains were not working, so I had to take the old fashioned “mobile lounge”
The Lufthansa Lounge at Dulles
Waiting for take off on South African Airways. Next stop- Dakar, Senegal, which counts as my 75th country
Dakar Noir – change of crew in Senegal at the DKR airport.
Approaching Johannesburg
JNB airport terminal & Scene from my taxi ride to Nelson Mandela Square