SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS Passenger Reviews and Customer Trip Reports

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SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS review :  23 June 2009 : by M Preston   (UK)

I wrote a very positive review of an SAX flight JNB-GRJ on 21 MAR. I subsequently have reason to complain about SAA's billing and accounting procedures. I bought 3 tickets on flysaa.com for ths flight. They charged my card 4 times. After I'd queried this with them they refunded the non-existent fourth ticket (causing me a small exchange rate loss). I would have left it there, but they didn't. Weeks later they refunded the value another 2 tickets, and then weeks after that they charged them again. Each time the exchange rate and bank charges meant that I was out of pocket. I have emailed them and had no response, and I have made several calls to customer care. Each person at customer care has been charming and friendly and promised that they would look into it and have someone phone me back. Not one person has so far fulfilled this promise. I have warned them that if they make further unauthorised debits to my account my bank will treat it as fraudulent, and I am requesting a refund of the amount that their inefficiency has cost me. They may be a good airline to fly with most of the time but their follow-up is atrocious, despite the obvious good intentions of the staff.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS review :  23 June 2009 : by Mahul Shah   (Kenya)

JNB-CPT. Check in for both International and Domestic SAA flights is in Terminal B. You still have to walk a distance to the departure security area. Checkin was very quick. The SAA Domestic lounge has adequate seating areas, but poor service and poor choice of food (white bread sandwiches, crisps) and drinks (all served by bored staff). Aircraft was a 737-800 with 2-3 seating. Small seats with little recline. No pre-departure drink. No service with a smile. No towel service. Flight was 2 hours. They showed videos on the overhead screens, but no headphones. Lunch was a chicken and cheese toasted sandwich - plain, boring and tasteless. The drinks service was good, and the wine glass was kept topped up. Overall a very poor J class experience, not worth the money paid.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS review :  21 June 2009 : by H Hofmeister  (South Africa)

JNB to Hong Kong return. Though the business class seat remains one of the best in its class I wish SAA will start looking at the quality of service on board. The cabin crew remained incredibly unfriendly on both legs of the journey. Everything seemed to be too much trouble - at one stage I asked for water and the attended promptly asked sarcastically "Another one?". The quality of the food is standard with most other airlines economy offering. I used to love flying this airline but would much rather spend my money with other airlines.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS review :  21 June 2009 : by G Davis  (USA)

LHR-Cape Town return. From reading previous reviews and given my own experience, quality of trip depends on the type of airplane you get. On the outbound we had an A340-300, which had personal entertainment systems, good leg room, and a happy cabin crew. The return was on an A340-200, which was torture. Seat pitch very tight, only one movie on an overhead TV and then no more entertainment for the whole night, and a crabby flight crew. Also no soap in some bathrooms, few water runs, no choices on meal by the time they got to our row (which was about the middle of the plane). I would rate the outbound trip an 8, and the inbound a 2. Because of this inconsistency I would not recommend SAA.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS review :  12 May 2009 : by Erland Kristensen  (Denmark)

Frankfurt - JNB Economy:. Bad service and attitude from cabin staff. Limited movie choice, the headset was missing and they took a long time to find a set for me.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS review :  5 May 2009 : by Andrew Mortimer  (New Zealand)

JNB-GRU on A340-600 return. Brilliant flights in 2-4-2 comfort. Seats appeared to be lower than on other carriers so able to plant feet on the floor or stretch out as necessary. Food excellent on outbound. Good service with a smile from staff. Just one 'downer' I wanted some duty free but wasn't woken in time and it had been re-sealed for SA customs, otherwise faultless.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS review :  23 April 2009 : by Cora Botha  (South Africa)

Cape Town to London on A340. Both the outbound and inbound flights were fine. The seating was comfortable, food as good as it comes in the economy section and the cabin staff were actually helpful & friendly. Both flights were on time, the air quality in the cabin was good and it could not have been better for a 12 hour flight.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS review :  22 April 2009 : by H Stewart  (UK)

LHR-JNB-PLZ return in Business class, 5 adults plus a baby. Star Alliance Gold lounge at LHR, used by SAA business class passengers is excellent. Quiet, good range of food, several seating areas. First long-haul flight excellent on A340-600, with one surly cabin crew member being the exception. Lie flat seats good, plus attractive amenity kit. Domestic legs just ok, but short flight so no issues. As a previous reviewer said, lounge in JNB for international customers is not adequate - crowded, basic facilities. Have to go to 1st class lounge for toilets! Hope the refurbished one is better. Big let-down was final long-haul on A340-200 where bassinet not provided for baby despite both myself and travel agent confirming this and ensuring correct assignment. Senior cabin services person was curt and actually rude about this. Largely negates point of paying for business class if a parent has to share seat for 11 hours

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS review :  8 April 2009 : by S Weller  (South Africa)

JNB-PER Business Class A340-600. The refurbishment of the central terminal at JNB is now complete and the design is bizarre. Terminal A check in was much easier. You now check in upstairs at Terminal B then have to go back downstairs to clear security. After a long walk you end up back at Terminal A near the old check in area. The SAA Premium Lounge is still being upgraded. The lounge in current use is very substandard. The toilets are a long walk and the selection of food and beverages is very poor. I was looking forward to a few glasses of chilled Moet on boarding but we were told no Moet was loaded even with a late departure. There were problems throughout the night with the AVOD & the cabin temperature was hot. The lie flat beds are hard but the duvet and pillows are great. Meals were excellent and flight arrived on time.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS review :  6 April 2009 : by Philip Schmidt  (Denmark)

Frankfurt-Johannesburg-Cape Town return. Both the outbound and inbound flight to and from Johannesburg, was with one of SAA new Airbus 340-600. Speedy check in, the FA's where kind and attentive. There where two choices for dinner, chicken and beef. I chose beef both ways, complimented by a small bowl of cold rice, som fruit, candy and free drinks. For breakfast you had to choose between Continental and Sausage. The continental was a great disappointment, a piece of cold beef, a slice of cheese and bread with juice and coffee. And some fruit. Thats it. For the connecting flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town and return, a sandwich and fresh water was served. Despite the poor continental breakfast, the overall food experience was above average. The seats on the Airbus 346 have a lot legroom, and good recline. IFE was good, video on demand, touchscreen and what follows. The selection of movies and TV-Shows was great. Overall I had a very pleasant experience with SAA. And I would fly with them again.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS review :  6 April 2009 : by Richard James  (UK)

JNB to MRU in Business. Two very different experiences - in the air much better than on the ground. Strange to see the man checking-in premium passengers wore jeans and a tracksuit top - although this could be a sign I'm getting old. And the Baobab SAA Business lounge was a dump although a new one is being constructed. However, the flight was much better - nice quiet 737-800, great service, good food and premium wine selections. Excellent in fact. Would use them again but maybe not from JNB.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS review :  26 March 2009 : by Daneel Visser  (UK)

Cape Town to London-Heathrow. Good professional service and friendly staff. Flight on time and straight forward check in. Seat request honoured at check in and SAA Premium lounge clean, with a range of refreshments. Onboard received two hot meals - fresh & tasty compared to SAA rivals.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS review :  20 March 2009 : by P Dewberry  (USA)

New York-Johannesburg-Cape Town. cabin service mediocre, food OK. Seats cramped and uncomfortable. Internal services better than international. Although it is longer to go through Europe, will probably do so in future.