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So my gripes? Well, 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 ... Read review
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Advantages: Competitive cheap international flights. Good safety record. Disadvantages: Seats are hellish in economy. Service is a russian roulette gamble from good to ghastly.
...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 ... more
There are only two things I take into consideration when booking a trip – cost and safety. On both of these SAA scored excellent. There is no doubt that their safety record is very good. Every time I have flown the pilot has been top notch and coped with everything and anything. I double checked their prices against all other possibilities and at the time I was wanting to travel they were the cheapest on offer. I also checked if I could get cheaper booking direct from the airport, but the price was the same as what I was offered by the travel agency I dealt with. So my gripes? Well, 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 a roast beef and salad roll. and it was fresh if a bit dry. There were snacks with every meal. Little packets of biscuits and nuts etc. Hostesses were friendly and helpful and things went smoothly.
International flights. The toilets were clean and everything worked. I say this as a plus as I have travelled on other airways flights where this was not the case.
My first trip overseas the staff were excellent. This was from Johannesburg to London. I get insomnia on planes and never sleep so you get to watch a lot of what’s going on. The hostesses kept an eye on everyone all through the night. They brought water and juice around every hour or so and they were there before you needed them. The food was good. A chicken portion done in a very nice Italian style sauce on rice with a little salad and pudding to end with. Plus a teeny packet of crackers and a wedge of cheese. The little TV each seat has is very nice. I did have a bit of a problem with my earphones not working, but a hostess brought me a new pair straight away.
The seats are total hell though. Economy class was being joked about around me as “cattle class” and as the trip wore on I soon understood why. There is NO room! I’m short, only 5 foot 3, and yet my knees were touching the seat in front of me. The poor man next to me was an athlete over 6 foot and he had to sit like a frog. They give you this little health and safety brochure showing leg exercises to stop deep vein thrombosis. Pictures of people wiggling their toes and flexing their knees. If I’d flexed or wiggled I’d have bounced the person in front of me out of his seat! There is no room and no escape. If you are a window seat everyone has to stand up to let you get out. If you are an aisle seat you get bumped by everyone passing down the narrow walk way AND you have to get up every time the window seat and middle person need to get out! As short as my legs are there was no room to put my feet underneath the seat in front of me without my kicking the feet of the guy in the seat in front of me. So basically you are stiff, sore, jostled and bumped at the end of a few hours. I have never been so uncomfortable as I have been on the international flights on SAA.
My second international flight with them was a very different scenario. This 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 took ages before a hostess came past and I virtually had to yell at her to get her to stop and take notice. he went off and was gone for an annoyingly long time before returning with new utensils. I got no apology for the inconvenience or delay. I have no memory of the meal as I was just too angry by then to care what I was eating. I do know I got a small bottle of wine with the meal, but no recollection of the food.
Later on I opened up the sealed packet they give you that contains your sleeping blanket, pillow and eye cover. The blanket looked clean, but SMELT LIKE VOMIT! Once again I had to wait until a hostess finally appeared and once again there were no apologies. She brought me a new blanket and told me to “just stick the other one under the seat.” The revolting other blanket on the floor was a problem the whole night as the lack of space for feet meant it was constantly getting in the way. It was a ghastly night once again only this time there were no thoughtful cabin crew doing the rounds with trays of water and juice. I was trapped by a large snoring aisle passenger otherwise I would have gone looking for someone to complain to. Trapped and helpless I could only wait in hope someone would come by… no one did from about 1:00 am till 4:00 am!
Otherwise on all flights my luggage has arrived fine, but you are warned NEVER to put valuables or electric/electronic items in your luggage when dealing with South African Airports. Take anything you value in your hand luggage or you do stand a good chance of never seeing it again. This means you can end up with heavy hand luggage. By the end of my trip I felt like I was carrying a baby elephant around with me so do get hand luggage with wheels if you don’t want to end up walking like the Hunchback of Notre Dame!
So final opinion? SAA is fine for short flights, but I’d never recommend them for long flights unless you are willing to endure hell to get a cheap yet safe flight. Safe, but as comfortable as a cattle truck. I’d approach the SAA with caution.
Advantages: Nice staff... Disadvantages: Serves LHR with check-in problem
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
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of South African Airlines - SAA
Advantages: Direct daily Services between London and Cape Town/ Jo'Burg Disadvantages: rude staff
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)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of South African Airlines - SAA
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, 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
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of South African Airlines - SAA
Food Quality
Customer Service
Punctuality
Space
Value for Money
Quick 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
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 ...
chatt79 06.07.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of South African Airlines - SAA
