KULULA review : 25 June 2008 : by Ginny Urbaniak

Customer Rating : 2/5

We flew to OT on Kulula last week from Cape Town. The initial flight I booked was cancelled by cell phone, and we were placed on the next flight with no apology and great inconvenience to ourselves. On our return flight we were bumped at the last moment having arrived 2 hours early-then told they could actually fit us in? The flight by then was running at least 3/4 an hour late. The couple ahead of us had been bumped twice that day.

KULULA review : 11 May 2008 : by Edwin Engelbrecht

Customer Rating : 1/5

LHR-HEJNB-CPT and the flight was delayed - no explanation given. Return to JNB again flight delayed - operational problems as an excuse given. The only "operational problems" I saw in CPT was at 05.30 waiting to book in for the 07.00 flight - only two operators on duty, when another two finally came on duty, a meeting was called by someone I assume to be the supervisor. Surely this can be done before they go on duty? No apologies given just "next" if you were lucky, others got a nod of the head! A case of couldn't care less for customers.

Kulula - by D Campbell

31 January 2008   Customer Trip Rating :

Probably the most awful flying experience I have ever had. Complete chaos at check in and ended up being bumped off flight, we were promised compensation but no one could tell us who was to provide this compensation. The 6 hour delay at JNB International with 3 children under 4 was an experience I could have done without. The hostesses were, I am sure, quite funny but at that stage I was in no mood to laugh and found their flippancy annoying and somehow insulting considering the 8 tortuous hours we had just spent because of that airline. Still waiting for their "feedback department" to get back to me 2 months later. My advice is to arrive really early because when it goes wrong its not all fun and games.

Kulula - by Liz Edwards

27 December 2007   Customer Trip Rating :

We flew from Lanseria to Durban yesterday 26 December. Flight was 2 hours late, we were told once we boarded because one of the escape chutes had expired and a new one had to be fitted! Lanseria is the best way to fly to Durban the extra cost is well worth not having to go via OR Tambo. We were given vouchers to make up for the inconvenience of the delay - a nice touch. Lanseria ran out of food so Kulula organised sandwiches at the airport. One complaint the snacks are very expensive - R9.00 for a 200ml can of Coke! Surely after a delay that long the drinks should be free on the flight?

Kulula - by Giannis Liberopoulos

13 May 2007   Customer Trip Rating : n/a

Cape Town to Johannesburg. Very cheap ticket, was actually waiting for a bad experience as I don't particularly trust the low cost carriers. What a surprise to experience the opposite! BA check in staff polite and cheerful. Flight on a MD-80 departed on time. Cabin interior funny with that light green and blue colors! Cabin crew fantastic!!! Great sense of humor and extremely helpful. While selling food, they were out of the vegetarian sandwich, so they offered me free snacks and one cabin crew staff gave me her own vegetarian meal! I felt so well treated! Big carriers should learn something from Kulula!

Kulula - by Juerg Grossenbacher

22 November 2006   Customer Trip Rating : n/a

It was really a new experience flying Kulula. Our flights from DUR-PLZ and from CPT to JNB were absolutely perfect for a so called low-price carrier. Friendly and nice staff and safe and clean aircraft. (B732 and MD 80). Check-in was fast and correct and the flights were relaxing and full of good sense of humor. Back in SA, we would fly Kulula again and again. Best choice!

Kulula - by Mark Tufts

24 September 2006

Durban to Cape Town. Checked in 2 hours before the flight and was told that there were no window seats left. Had to settle for the aisle. The flight was OK, but I kept getting bumped by the drinks trolley. Seats were an ugly green and very tatty on this MD 80 aircraft. On the return I was early so decided to check in. I was told I was too early and I should come back 2 hours before check-in. Sorry, if that is your policy, you have lost a customer. I promptly left your check-in and checked in with a competitor and could check-in early. Incidentally, Kulula prices are no longer that competitive and I find better prices elsewhere.

Kulula - by Simon Crockford

11 September 2006

Great airline with its excellent prices and cabin crew very professional but still had a sense of humour and pride in the service offered. Good to feel a valued customer again and not just a number. Both flights on very clean MD80's on time and comfortable

Kulula - by Barry Carlino

10 June 2006

JNB-CPT return for less than ZAR1,000. Both flights were on time, the cabin crew were friendly and helpful. Check-in was efficient and at JNB they had a separate line for passengers with hand luggage only. The only point of complaint is the choice of colours for the seats. Lime green and blue is not a happy combination in my opinion.

Kulula - by Sascha Krone

15 March 2006

On our honeymoon to SA, we flew Kulula from Durban to Cape Town. Friendly and very helpful BA-staff in Durban, asking if I'd like to have an exit seat, being 6'7ft, this is usually the seat I am sitting in. It takes a while to get used to the bright green interior and the green shirts and blue jeans of the cabin crew, but service was friendly, sandwiches were tasty and prices for the snacks were moderate. Flight took almost two hours and crew offered trolley services twice. Baggage was delivered within five minutes after arrival in CPT. I would choose that "cool" airline again next time, it is refreshingly different!

Kulula - by Casper van der Walt

29 August 2005

I took 2 Kulula flights on my recent trip to South Africa and must say I had mixed feelings about the airline. Although both flight (JNB-CPT and George-JNB) were dirt cheap, you could see that it is a low-cost airline. I mean, I don't want to complain, there is nothing to complain about, it is just that I was watching the cabin crew who were VERY young. On my way from George to JNB, 3 of the young girls who were suppose to help passengers with boarding procedures, were flirting with one guy! They were standing at his seat, one with her foot on the empty seat, chatting with him! They were unfriendly to the other passengers or totally ignored us, standing in the way so that it was difficult for us to reach our seats. The snacks were also not that cheap as stated below. Then, the cockpit door was open during the whole flight from George to JNB!!! What about safety? Talking about safety instructions, I know they are trying to make it a bit funny, but I just couldn't get myself to laugh. All in all it was OK, but next time I will try the other low cost airline 1Time first before flying with Kulula again.

Kulula - by Brian McLaughlin

21 July 2005

On recent trip to SA, had to book CPT-DUR on three days notice. After SAA quoted me $500 US per seat, I gladly accepted Kulula's offer of $250 per ticket. Check in at CPT by mostly BA-branded staff was professional: when travelling companion asked whether there was first class, she gave us choice of bulkhead or emergency exit row over wing. For short flight I chose bulkhead. After flight, found out wing row (my usual US choice) has 40 inch pitch(!) Plane was fresh MD88 with nice (orange) leather seating. Didn't recognize the burr-headed blonde Caucasian women in jeans were our FAs at first. Pre-recorded pitch to buy sandwiches played on takeoff sounded like an Indian man trying to impersonate an Afrikaner; some might have taken offense. I only took offense after the first officer apologized for the sandwiches not being onloaded in CPT. Evidently 10 a.m. Sunday is too early for their caterers. Sandwiches were onloaded at our fuel stop in PLZ. Return leg DUR-CPT is operated by BA/Comair. The difference is night and day. While their Boeing 737-200 looks old even in the dark, the interior looked a little richer, cabin service was reserved and efficient but not in a cold way. We had eaten at the airport figuring we wouldn't be fed when they brought a small but filling breakfast to my seat, I felt like a chump that I had already eaten

Kulula - by Nick Hall

8 June 2005

Used Kulula form Cape Town to Durban and again from Durban to Jo’burg. Flights were on time, staff were very friendly and the food and snacks they sell onboard are cheep and very tasty. I will use them again next time I’m in SA.

Kulula - by Cameron Laing

11 May 2005

I used Kulula between Cape Town and Johannesburg during a visit to SA from UK. The flight was on time. The cabin staff where casually dressed, and provided a relaxed friendly attitude throughout. Particularly appreciated the informal nature of the safety procedures which at least captured the attention of passengers , in particular those that often have a total disregard to these announcements. Leg room was equal to some long haul flights. Would have no hesitation in using Kulula on our next visit.

Kulula - by Cathy Maddison

4 March 2005

You deserve to do well. Used your airline on 3 legs of my trip while in South Africa. Loved the humour and the 'poppies' hairstyles. Life is a gas and should be enjoyed and airline flying is stressful enough and you guys made light of that. So thanks for the fun and the service and the laughs.

Kulula - by Michelle Geldenhuys

16 February 2005

We flew Kulula, Jnb-George-Jnb in July last year. We enjoyed the flight and the casual friendliness of the staff. In fact they were more visible than Emirates cabin crew. On the first leg we checked in early and were given seats near the front on the aircraft. On the way back we did the same but because we had a child, 6 years old, we stuck at the back next to the engine. We were annoyed as we had especially arrived early to get a good seat. I will check that doesnt happen next time around.

Kulula - by L Chivell

15 February 2005

Kulula is a very good airline, considering the price BUT remember to check SAA's price on the internet too because they are sometimes cheaper especially if you are booking last minute.

Kulula - by Paul Coppin

21 January 2005

Johannesburg - George return for a holiday and enjoyed the relaxed friendly service of the staff. My complaint is that on our return we had booked the shuttle service from the airport and we got a corrolla that could not fit a stroller and a large suitcase in the boot (this is not a lot for a couple with a child and an infant coming back from holiday). We were then subjected to an irritating delay with tired and hungry children while a van was brought  - for which we were charged extra.

Kulula - by Allan D Robins

9 January 2005

JNB-CPT-JNB. I wish there weRe more like Kulula in Europe. No problems with check-in, friendly & chatty (check-in by BA), made up the slight delay, staff on board joking all the way! The 737 was a little more cramped than the MD-82 I'd flown in before, but on the whole a great service all round. Couldn't complain.

Kulula - by Prasan J. Seebadri

21 August 2004

In response to Kulula.com's birthday promo; I attempted to book tickets Dbn-CT-Dbn for my family of 4. The prices quoted were in excess of R1300 more than SAA (via the internet and through a travel agent - and that includes meals). On trying the Call Centre; my call was answered in 11+ minutes. When I finally got through, the agent's response was 'perhaps it would be best to fly SAA'. His supervisor's contribution was to submit my complaint in writing.

Kulula - by Stuart Day

10 August 2004

JNB-CPT-JNB. Fantastic service for a budget airline. Planes leave on time (well nearly on time!) and staff are extremely good if not a little too enthusiastic. Fantastic airline. We here in the UK could learn a lot from Kulula as to how a budget airline should be operated. Fantastic legroom as well!

Kulula - by Allan D Robins

4 April 2004

CPT-JNB (29th March 2004). They were excellent, the MD-80 configuration gave excellent leg room for this 6 footer. Check in & baggage collection extremely quick. Only niggle I had with them was booking from overseas you had to fax your credit card details. This has changed now and I've booked JNB-CPT-JNB in December.

Kulula - by Sean Mowatt

16 January 2004

DUR-JNB return on kulula.com. Outbound flight was cancelled, but thanks to the great customer service at kulula I was told a full 16 hours in advance and transferred to BA/Comair at no extra cost or hassle. The return flight was with kulula - was hoping for a trip on their new MD-82's, but landed with a 737-200 which they rent from BA/Comair instead. Immaculate seats, good light-hearted service - a wonderful trip home.

Kulula - by Yvonne del Castillo

21 October 2003

We have used Kulula.com from Johannesburg to Cape Town at last minute: excellent handling, low pricing, good equipment and four dollies.  For short flights to recommend!

Kulula - by Karen Wynter

10 October 2002

I am a satisfied passenger of Kulula, travelling regularly between Cape Town and Johannesburg. However, recently a drunk passenger was allowed onto a flight. I had no response to my e-mail to Kulula informing them of the subsequent harassment that I suffered.

Kulula - by Peter Clarke

25 May 2002

We used Kulula between Cape Town and Johannesburg during a visit to SA from UK. The flight was on time. The cabin staff where casually dressed, and provided a relaxed friendly attitude throughout. Particularly appreciated the informal nature of the safety procedures which at least captured the attention of passengers , in particular those that often have a total disregard to these announcements. Leg room was equal to some long haul flights. Would have no hesitation in using Kulula on our next visit.
 

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