Johannesburg, August 6, 2023 – South African Airways (SAA) is expanding its reach into North America through the appointment of a General Sales Agent (GSA) for the region. The appointed agent, Discover the World (DTW) will sell passenger space on behalf of South Africa’s national flag carrier.
This partnership is expected to see the airline grow revenue across North America by raising awareness with more trade and corporate partners.
SAA’s Chief Executive Officer, Prof. John Lamola said the move is part of the airline’s long-term growth strategy that is yielding fruit. Prof. Lamola says activating the partnership with DTW in North America is another strong sign that the airline is regaining its international stature.
American Airlines is retiring its fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-80 fleet to Roswell, New Mexico, Sept. 4. We understand what the iconic aircraft means for our customers and our team members. To help commemorate this historic day, we have created a special retro American Flight 80 boarding pass. Personalize, print and display your pass today.
CHICAGO – Amtrak today marked the 90th
anniversary of the Empire Builder,
which travels across the country’s northern tier, allowing customers to
experience the grandeur of the Mississippi River Valley, Great Plains, Rockies
and the Cascade Range. Daily service between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest
provides a vital intercity travel option connecting more than 40 communities in
eight states.
Sleeping car customers received wooden train whistles from Amtrak Guest Rewards and all customers departing Chicago received commemorative certificates signed by Amtrak President & CEO Richard Anderson. Prints of a new Empire Builder painting by railroad artist J. Craig Thorpe are available in the Amtrak store and, for a limited time, other items to recognize the anniversary of the service are also available from Amtrak.
Inaugurated by the Great Northern Railway (GN), the first westbound Empire Builder departed Chicago on the evening of June 10, 1929, but it was christened the next day in St. Paul, Minnesota, where the GN had its headquarters and where its mainline to Seattle began. The premier service was named for James J. Hill–the “Empire Builder,” who in the late 19th century founded what became the GN.
The GN and three railroads merged in 1970 to form the
Burlington Northern, which continued to operate the Empire Builder until May 1, 1971, when newly-formed Amtrak took it
over and changed the route to include Milwaukee by using what is now the
Canadian Pacific Railway between Chicago and St. Paul. In October 1979, it
became the first overnight train to be assigned bi-level Superliner® railcars,
setting a higher travel standard that continues today.
Last year, 428,854 customers rode the Amtrak Empire Builder, Trains 7/27 & 8/28.
