Johannesburg Airport

Although the customs and immigration staff leave a lot to be desired the airport itself is very nice after the refurbishment. The check in areas as with most airports is okay but nothing special but once through the immigration and into the departures area I was stunned. OR Tambo has some of the best shopping I have seen at an airport. It is clean spacious and inviting.

Arrived from Hong Kong at 06:30. Went through the immigration quickly as we are SA citizens but were surprised to see that there were only 2 counters open for foreigners (which were the majority of the passengers on our flight). Stood at baggage collection for 45 minutes the worst I have ever experienced. Once we got our baggage we went through the "nothing to declare" line along with pretty much everyone else. Although 4 customs officers were on duty not a single person was stopped and asked to open their bags. This is insane security is non-existent. The airport itself has undergone a facelift the international departures much nicer than international arrivals. the departures hall has obviously been upgraded first and really has 5 star facilities in terms of shopping and dining.

30 min queue through immigration nut well organised and continual move forward. Check in on return very efficient with luggage shrink wrapped prior to check in. Airside plenty of room and facilities.

While the check in area of the international terminal still leaves just a little to be desired the area past security has some of the best airport shopping I have seen in a long time. There is an endless amount of stores and a great restaurant. Baggage claim also surprised me after my arrival in JNB. My bag was waiting for me when I arrived.

Baobab Lounge in International departures is under reconstruction and there is a makeshift lounge 1 level up. They are trying their best but the airflow is poor toilets a long way out of the lounge and no showers. Be warned it is crowded and stuffy but I guess we have to take this in the context of the improvements being made.

JNB to LHR. Check in very crowded but moved at a reasonable pace. Needed to request wheelchair service and it couldn't have been better. Charming attentive young lady took me all the way to the plane and it's a long way from check in. They're obviously rebuilding for the 2010 World Cup and the new international pier is excellent. Having read other comments here I was not looking forward to having to use JNB but it left me with a very favourable impression.

JNB Airport is improving however several things have not changed in the 3 years I have been flying in and out to and from GCC states. The notice boards have no bearing on what is really happening. I have repeatedly been told my flight is boarding when in fact they have been delayed. On one occasion the notice boards stated that we could begin boarding our Saudi Airlines flight when it had not even landed yet. Another unchanging fact is the inefficiency of the baggage handling staff. Beware of departing from another S. African airport (DUR or CPT) and checking your luggage all the way through to your final destination. It will still be sent through to domestic luggage claims.

The improvements were worth waiting for especially the convenience of the new walkway from international to domestic.

Arrived and departed from JNB 4 times always with international and intercontinental flights. A good impression really better than 2 years ago. Arrival Passport control from international flight in max 15 minutes with morning or evening flight; new dedicated area. Luggage ready in few minutes never lost any. Departure - Few shops before check in international departure check-in area crowded especially at SAA desks. Weight control of all luggage before check in. Then security check quite slow with few gates open. Departure lounge really nice full of space and chairs good duty free shops but not so good restaurants. 1 bar is open 24hr. Outside - less unauthorized porters less annoying people. A lot of help-desks in the lounge with orange jacket attendants. Pay attention in the hotel shuttle area feel a bit unsafe especially if you arrive late in the night. However a safer and nicer airport than the one I sow 2 years ago. It will be better of course after big works will finish inside and outside terminals.

Arrived from DUR departed for LHR. Domestic terminal a breeze. There now is a dedicated walkway from Domestic to International while construction is in progress. The International terminal has really improved both before and after check-in. The new International wing is quite something modern spacious and very airy. But somewhat left the heaters on ( on a very hot day) so that was not exactly welcoming. One gripe I had about my experience in the International departures lounge area was that there is no ATM to be found. And I happen to be the unlucky one without SA Rand cash. I tried to buy a phone card from Telkom they do not take credit cards (machine broken) Vodacom does not sell phone cards but their vending machine does which takes cash. So I ended up spending a small fortune phoning from my mobile phone. So beware: If you need Rand cash after check-in and immigration draw money from the ATM first before going through. I found the craft shops to be expensive. I wondered to myself if they ever get their wares sold? Airport itself: ACSA is doing a fine job bringing OR Tambo International up to standard. Since my last visit a huge improvement.