Johannesburg announced as next destination for BA’s A380

British Airways has unveiled Johannesburg as the next destination for its Airbus A380.

From today, customers can book seats on the new double-decker jumbo on selected flights from February 12, 2014.

Rugby giants Chris Robshaw, Bryan Habana and Jean De Villiers were on hand to celebrate the announcement undertaking one of the biggest challenges of their careers – taking on the might of BA’s largest aircraft.

Weighing in at 110kg, 95kg and 101kg respectively, Robshaw, the England rugby Captain and Habana and De Villiers, the South African Springboks attempted to pull the airline’s newest fleet member (topping the scales at 366,000kgs) down the runway at Manston Airport in Kent.

BA will initially operate three A380 services a week to South Africa’s financial capital. This will increase from March 10 to six flights per week. These flights will be part of the airline’s normal schedule to Johannesburg.

BA’s first A380 begins flying five times a week to Los Angeles on September 24. This will increase to double-daily flights from April 10, 2014.

The aircraft is due to begin flying daily to Hong Kong from October 22, 2013.