South African Express

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 service is as good as ever if not better! SA Airlink operates a fleet mainly of prop/ regional jet, with their main hub at Johannesburg International (see seperate opinion). But don't be put off, as their props are the comfortable and roomy Bombardier QSeries. The company flies serving routes between all the South African airports. The staff are very friendly, and always willing... Read review

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Advantages: DONT FLY
Disadvantages: NEVER FLY

...BE CAREFUL!!! 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 CARDS ARE FAULTY, HOW CAN THE AIRLINES CHARGED THE FEES ONTO MY CREDIT CARD??? --I HAD TRIED TO CONTACT THEIR REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES. 4 MONTHS HAD GONE, YET NOTHING IS DONE. I TRIED 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... Read review

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

...After travelling on a horrendous Air France flight to Joburg (see my previous review) I was looking forward to experiencing 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 across the tarmac to a covered set of steps not the most pleasurable experience when you are scared of height and stuck queueing on stair that aren't exactly solid!!! On board we walked throught the business area of the cabin separated during the flight... Read review

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