JFK-JNB Direct in Economy or EWR-GRU-JNB in Biz?
Jul 31, 2014, 11:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 302
JFK-JNB Direct in Economy or EWR-GRU-JNB in Biz?
Hey.. so what would you guys do if you had a choice between:
JFK-JNB direct on SAA in Economy leaves 11am JFK and gets in to JNB at 8:15am +1. Lonnnng flight... 16 hours. Only time I've flown that long was JFK-HKG in first on CX so this would be rough. I'm not much of a plane sleeper either.
or
JFK-GRU-JNB in Biz, with a 9 hour layover in Sao Paulo. This flight leaves 12 hours earlier than the direct - 10pm, but gets in to JNB at 7:30am +2. Avoids a useless 9 hour layover at GRU and saves us the hassle of getting a Yellow Fever shot.
The onward journey is JNB-PLZ arriving at my safari destination.
Economy is half the points, less time spent, direct, etc.
What would you suggest?
JFK-JNB direct on SAA in Economy leaves 11am JFK and gets in to JNB at 8:15am +1. Lonnnng flight... 16 hours. Only time I've flown that long was JFK-HKG in first on CX so this would be rough. I'm not much of a plane sleeper either.
or
JFK-GRU-JNB in Biz, with a 9 hour layover in Sao Paulo. This flight leaves 12 hours earlier than the direct - 10pm, but gets in to JNB at 7:30am +2. Avoids a useless 9 hour layover at GRU and saves us the hassle of getting a Yellow Fever shot.
The onward journey is JNB-PLZ arriving at my safari destination.
Economy is half the points, less time spent, direct, etc.
What would you suggest?
Jul 31, 2014, 2:20 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: alexandria, Virginia usa
Posts: 1,092
I split the difference and booked SAA JIAD-FK-JNB Economy with miles-and booked JNB-IAD biz return. reserved seats in the 2 seat section and patiently waited for the flight to be over- definitely long but is allowed us to connect onward to WDH and arrive in daylight. the trip back- which required that dreaded stop in Dakar was really long but slept most of the way in business class.
Jul 31, 2014, 3:24 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,077
If your two options are the ONLY two options, I'd choose the JFK-JNB route rather than the South American route.
Personally, I can't stand long layovers. What are you going to do during that time? Just get it over with and get on to JNB and your trip to PLZ / Game Reserve.
That said, you mention the inability to sleep on planes. You wont be able to sleep one night between JFK and JNB or two nights between EWR-GRU and the GRU-JNB. I'd choose the former.
Also, I've never dealt with the Yellow Fever issue. You shouldn't need it either way. But, I could be 100% off on that. I leave it to others whether that should be a factor or not.
Personally, I can't stand long layovers. What are you going to do during that time? Just get it over with and get on to JNB and your trip to PLZ / Game Reserve.
That said, you mention the inability to sleep on planes. You wont be able to sleep one night between JFK and JNB or two nights between EWR-GRU and the GRU-JNB. I'd choose the former.
Also, I've never dealt with the Yellow Fever issue. You shouldn't need it either way. But, I could be 100% off on that. I leave it to others whether that should be a factor or not.
Jul 31, 2014, 5:51 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: UA Premier 1K: PlAAtinum; DL SM, MM; Marriott Gold; CO Plat Emeritus; NW Plat Emeritus
Posts: 4,776
SAA has significantly more pitch than DL (33-34" on the 346, vs. 31-2 in E- on the 777LR). I've done the n/s, it wasn't bad (though I had the bulkhead).
The layover sounds miserable, unless you have somewhere to go.
The layover sounds miserable, unless you have somewhere to go.
Jul 31, 2014, 8:59 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SFO/STS
Programs: UA Gold-1MM, Hhonors Diamond, Marriott/SPG Gold
Posts: 1,090
I have done it a bunch of different ways in both Y and J, direct and with intended layovers and your best bet is the direct JFK-JNB.
SAA economy is a good product, be sure to book on the 2 side (either aisle or window-whatever your preference). Yep it is a long flight, but food is good and free wine, lots of good movies--usual US stuff, but lots of independent films along with European and Africa sub-titled movies.
Enjoy your safari!
SAA economy is a good product, be sure to book on the 2 side (either aisle or window-whatever your preference). Yep it is a long flight, but food is good and free wine, lots of good movies--usual US stuff, but lots of independent films along with European and Africa sub-titled movies.
Enjoy your safari!
Aug 2, 2014, 5:01 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
I'm a big guy. And by big I mean I'm kinda fat. I'd take J for the interesting route and more comfortable seats if I had the points or knew how to earn more. But get the shot if you do, I remember seeing a trip report of someone denied boarding in GRU or GIG for not having it.
Aug 3, 2014, 8:23 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 302
It was an award ticket.. 100k UA points for a one way via GRU.
I went ahead and changed it to the direct. Fingers crossed that 2 biz seats open up! Any idea how far out and/or what time of the day SAA usually opens up any seats?
I went ahead and changed it to the direct. Fingers crossed that 2 biz seats open up! Any idea how far out and/or what time of the day SAA usually opens up any seats?
Aug 4, 2014, 6:09 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,467
Personally the thought of 16 hours in economy is my idea of hell! I wouldn't be functional for days after arrival. I would far rather do the double leg in J even with the ghastly layover. But then again I have grown old and soft...
I have booked a similar trip originating in Costa Rica. The layover is annoyingly 24h05 which means it can't be booked on one award. But at least I get a day to rest around the hotel pool before the short overnight flight into JNB.
Ha! The ways of SA's revenue management are even more mysterious than those of the deities.
Not according to this thread which quotes Timatic as saying you have up to 12 hours in transit provided you do not leave the transit area.
I have booked a similar trip originating in Costa Rica. The layover is annoyingly 24h05 which means it can't be booked on one award. But at least I get a day to rest around the hotel pool before the short overnight flight into JNB.
Last edited by Cheetah_SA; Aug 4, 2014 at 6:16 am