Travelers from China will no longer need to make a flight transfer while flying to South Africa. The first-ever direct service between China and South Africa officially launched on April 27, 2007.

Direct air service between China and South Africa has officially kicked off as of April 27, 2007. The new service, provided by China Eastern Airlines, aims to offer travelers a more convenient route when flying to South Africa without a flight transfer.

The Chinese Embassy in South Africa says the new route will further boost the bilateral trade and culture exchanges between the two countries. And it will also drive the development of the two sides' tourism.

The Shanghai to Johannesburg flight flies each Tuesday and Friday from Shanghai with a one-hour stop in the Maldives. The return flight will depart Johannesburg on Wednesdays and Saturdays local time. The whole journey takes 16 hours one-way.