South African Airlines - SAA

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 ... Read review

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 ... Read review

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 ... Read review

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. ... 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.