South African Airlines - SAA

...if you are travelling within South Africa – none. I never had them run out of food. In fact I found they fed me too much! On a trip where I had to change flights a few times I was served food on each flight. First breakfast, then a snack and then lunch! I rolled off the last flight about 5 kg fatter than when I started! The food was fair to good. I can’t remember breakfast. It was early and I was half asleep, but I do remember that the snack was ...
...was from London returning to South Africa. The hostesses were indifferent and mostly non-existent! I gather there was “someone important” in Business class as I could see through the curtain that they had at least THREE times as many hostess crew in there as we had! When I was given dinner I found my little utensil packet had three knives instead of knife, fork and spoon. The plane was full and boisterous and hostesses were nowhere to be seen. It ...

2Quizzy 23.10.2003 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of South African Airlines - SAA

South African Airlines has recently had a facelift to bring in its new logo and tail designs, looking more sunny and South African. They also serve a variety of markets, of which I will try and address most of here. First of all, there is the SA Airlink domestic market. This airline has only recently joined the South African fleet - a few years ago it was an independant company. But South African is taking care of it, and keeping it young, and the ...
...serving routes between all the South African airports. The staff are very friendly, and always willing to help you and talk to you. And the meals aren't bad either. But beware - there is no food on some of their shortest flights. There is no smoking on internal flights, but I personally would see that as an advantage. Check-in is usually easy, and the airline is renowned for their punctuality and efficiency. Then there's the international airline ...

danieletheridge 04.05.2001 · Read full review
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Review of South African Airlines - SAA

I flew South African Airways in June/July last year. I flew from London to Cape Town, travelled overland from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, then picked up a flight from Port Elizabeth to Jo'burg with an onwards connection back to London. The main reason I chose the airline was that it is one of the few airlines offering direct services between London and Cape Town and London and Johannesburg. The second reason was that they are part of the Star Alliance ...
...(Miles and More) South African Airways operate out of Heathrow's Terminal 1 and check- in was very fast and efficient. As usual with Heathrow there were long queues going through Security but once through you'll find the usual array of Duty free shops. Depending on the aircraft operating, SAA offer a three-class service First Class, Business Calls & Economy. Business & First Class offer a fully flat bed, but unfortunately I was not lucky enough ...

GermanGirl99 19.02.2007 (21.02.2007) · Read full review
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Review of South African Airlines - SAA

...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, walking ...
...which the Airline accommodated free of charge and also sent through a new confirmation email and there were no problems on check-in, overall a pleasant hassle free trip and if I get the opportunity to travel to South Africa in the near future SAA will be the no1 choice. ...

KELLYLOUJ 09.08.2005 · Read full review
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Review of South African Airlines - SAA

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. ...

jlwils 21.08.2007
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of South African Airlines - SAA

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 ...

chatt79 06.07.2006 · Read full review
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Review of South African Airlines - SAA

...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 MY CREDIT ...
...TO SUE THEM THROUGH LOCAL AUTHORITIES, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THEIR OFFICES IS CLOSED AND ANY CHARGES WILL BE FUTILE. I SINCERELY WARNED ALL TRAVELERS TO AVOID THIS SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS. BIG THANK YOU TO SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS FOR MAKING THE TRIP TO YOUR OTHERWISE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY UNFORGETTABLE.... ...

WIMMU 15.04.2008 · Read full review
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Review of South African Airlines - SAA

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 ...
...to food everbody, and there is not always the flavor available that the person prefers. I have been on a flight once where they ran out of wine in the middle of a serving. The service might not be the greatest but at least you would land safely. SAA is one of the most safe airlines. Luggage is a problem. We received luggage back that was opened up, damaged or was send back on another flight. ...

Samuraj 14.05.2003 · Read full review
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Review of South African Airlines - SAA

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 having ...
...it is a mess. I get the feeling that they are late on a regular basis They also heavily overbook their flights and usually every seat is taken so don't expect and additional seat room which is painfully close to the seat in front of you. If you are tall like me beg for an exit row if you are flying economy. I hope that someone from SA Airlines reads these. Safe Travels Everyone! ...

Horatio_5 16.12.2006 · Read full review
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Review of South African Airlines - SAA

I flew with SAA for the first time and was exceedingly disappointed. While waiting at the departure gate until 2 and a half hours past our departure time we were told every half an hour that there was a technical problem that they were looking at. Our flight was then cancelled and we consequently lost a full day of our week long holiday with a room at heathrow as compensation. Instead of arriving at our hotel in Cape Town at around 11am on Saturday ...
...insult to injury on the flight out my husband and I were not given seats together. For both the journey out and the return flight we had an ancient plane with flickering screens dotted around the plane rather than individual screens. We also had very little leg room. On the return flight due to a 'technical' fault the reading lights were broken - some people had theirs stuck on all night and therefore had difficulty sleeping and others (like me) ...

SHorto 22.02.2009 · Read full review
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Review of South African Airlines - SAA