South African Airlines - SAA > Reviews

Advantages: Cheap, Convenient, On time, Excellent Cabin Crew
Disadvantages: Legroom, lack of food

...the onboard service offered by South African Airways. Check-in was easy simply provide your credit card or Voyager Card (their frequent flyer programme) at check-in with your passports and you are checked in. (I had already pre-booked seats via www.flysaa.com) At Joburg there were no announcements for final boarding so I sat staring at the screen waiting for the boarding announcement to flash up when it did I proceeded to board the aircraft, ... Read review

If you fly out of Gabarone, Botswana your luggage will almost always be gone through by the luggage handlers. I have had running shoes, shirts, vitamins, allergy medicines, underwear, socks, gifts and books stolen from my luggage at the Gabarone Airport. It sucks, and it seems like South African Airways will not do anything about it.

Advantages: Good entertainment system & attentive service
Disadvantages: small seat pitch, seats in centre less room than seats at side

I found South African Airlines exceeded my expectations, the inflight service was good on both the long haul sectors and the short haul domestic sector from Cape Town to Jo'burg. The flights were punctual and the staff very attentive with a good attitude. I would definately recommend sitting at the side of the plane for long haul flights as the seat pitch seems to be less in the centre seats. On the London to Cape Town route I think this is the superior ... Read review

Advantages: DONT FLY
Disadvantages: NEVER FLY

... IN 2007,I TRIED BOOKING THE SOUTH AFRICAN FLIGHTS ONLINE AND WAS SUCCESSFUL. I GAVE MY CREDIT CARD NUMBER AND GOT THE CONFIRMATION DETAILS. --YET, WHEN I SHOWED UP IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN AIRPORT, I WAS REFUSED. THEY SAID MY CREDIT CARD WAS FAULTY. IN THE END, I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER REPLACEMENT TICKETS. --AFTER ONLY I RECEIVED MY MONTHLY BANK STATEMENT, THEN I REALIZED THAT THE AIRLINE HAD CHARGED ME FOR THE FLIGHTS THAT I DID NOT EVEN FLY.IF ... Read review

Advantages: It takes you places
Disadvantages: You never know whether your luggage is on the same flight!

Since I am a South African I have been flying with South African Airlines many times. But years ago it has been a nice experience but it has changed. The main reason for this might be the fact that SAA is the only large airline in South Africa. Other companies have tried to fly nationally but it was unsuccessfull. If you fly internationally the service is better, but there is competition and they have to earn their reputation. The main problem ... Read review

Advantages: Fairly Friendly Staff
Disadvantages: Its going to be late and they are not all that apologetic

I recently on Dec 12th 2006 took them from LHR to JHB and they were over 2 hours late. Reason Security Breach at airport. All other flights seemed to leaving on time. Going back on the 17th of Dec flight now 4 hours late and still not sure if it is going to leave since I am writing this from the lounge. People were here at 5:00PM for a 9:30PM flight and now it is delayed to 1:30AM. Reason they had a medical emergency on the flight. I could be ... Read review