Africa - Guide to Connecting at JNB

Guide to Connecting at JNB


Welcome to the guide to connecting at JNB.

If your have any further questions that have not been answered after reading through, please do not hesitate to ask.

Bear in mind that the minimum connection times given below are the shortest connections allowed for tickets on a single PNR. It would be advisable to leave more time than this, particularly if you are arriving during the busy morning period. If you are travelling on two separate PNRs, add on at least an extra hour to the MCTs to allow for whatever delays the Travel Gods may throw at you.

Do note that procedures can change so this guide may not be accurate. If you notice anything has changed or there are any errors, just let me know.


International-Domestic Connection

Minimum connection time: 90 minutes



Once you have deplaned, simply follow the crowd to the immigration hall.
After going through passport control, you will need to collect your luggage and pass through customs irrespective of whether your bags have been tagged through to your final destination.
Exit into the public area and proceed up to departures level by way of the escalators which are opposite and to the left. The escalator can take trolleys.
If your bags have already been tagged through to your destination and you have your boarding passes for the onward domestic flight, you can use fast bag drop.
Otherwise you will need to check-in as normal.
Alternatively, you can use the baggage re-check desks on the left before exiting to the public area.
If you would prefer to avoid the porters and taxi touts in the arrivals halls, there are escalators to the left of these desks which will take you to level 1. From there you will need to go up one more level to reach domestic departures.


The domestic terminal is designated as a separate terminal (Terminal B) but do not be confused by this. All the terminals at JNB are under one roof so you barely notice that you are transferring between them.


International-International Connection

Minimum connection time: 60 minutes

This is where things become a little more tricky.



If you arrive at a jetway, you will see a corridor heading towards International Transfers on the left just before the escalators down to passport control.
If you arrive at a remote stand and are bussed to the terminal, you will see the escalators on the left heading up to International Transfers as you enter the building.
Both these paths are well signposted and there is usually a staff member shouting out "International transit" and waving a sign to direct passengers.
When you go down the corridor, you will come to the transfer desks.




If your bags have already been tagged through to your final destination, ensure that you give your connecting airline the tag numbers at this time so that they can verify them in their system.
If the tag numbers are not re-verified, they will not be loaded without manual intervention.




If your bags have not been tagged through, you will need to find a member of staff in International Transfers from your arriving airline.
Ask them to get one of their baggage services staff to pull your bags off the belt manually and coordinate with staff from your onward airline to retag them to your final destination.


This is a rather convoluted process and can take a long time.



Therefore, if your bags cannot be tagged all the way through, it is advisable to pass through immigration, collect your bags at baggage reclaim and clear customs.
After you clear customs but before you exit to the public area (the exit is a set of sliding doors on your right), you will see a series of baggage re-check desks on your left.
Proceed to these desks since they often have smaller queues and have your bags re-tagged.
Then head up the escalators to your left (do not exit the main doors into the public area) which emerge on the departures level.
Turn right when facing the Vodacom store and the departures security checkpoint is right in front of you.


You can do the entire transit and enter/exit South Africa in less than 5 minutes if your bags come out quickly.

If time permits, the safest option is to clear customs and re-check your bags as described above rather than rely on the interlining system at JNB.

Have a look at post #9 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18531129-post9.html) of this thread for pictures.

In the case of Intl-Dom connections, there is no need to "exit into the public area and proceed up to departures level by way of the escalators which are opposite and to the left". You can use the internal escalators to the upper level which are located to the immediate left of the re-checkin desks and before you exit to the public area. These escalators bring you out in front of the Vodacom store and right next to the international departures security/immigration checkpoint. From there, it is one level further up to domestic departures. This has the benefit of avoiding the crowd of taxi touts, etc.. that congregate at the public exit.

Can you take trolleys up those escalators? I've not used them.

Either way I'll amend the guide to give both options.

So assuming your bags are checked through - is 60mins enough for your bags to make it to the new flight?

I've had bags miss at 2-3 hours so 1 hour seems really tight.
I don't particularly want to travel carry-on only, but if it means I don't have to chase a delayed bag It might be the only option.

thanks!

I don't particularly want to travel carry-on only, but if it means I don't have to chase a delayed bag It might be the only option.When flying to or via JNB, carry-on is the only sane option, and eminently doable in most cases. Unless you are going to climb a mountain or have a lot of tools or equipment you need for your work, a little bit of planning should allow most people to travel with an absolute minimum of luggage.

Johan

Thanks for the useful thread.

Int'l-domestic: isn't there a baggage recheck area for through-checked baggage before the public area?

Can you take trolleys up those escalators?Yes.

Thanks for the useful thread.

Int'l-domestic: isn't there a baggage recheck area for through-checked baggage before the public area?

I've not done that myself so I'm not sure - would be good to know.

Regarding the escalators by the re-check desks (I really must make an effort to use them next time) do they end up on the retail level of the domestic terminal?

I've not done that myself so I'm not sure - would be good to know.

Regarding the escalators by the re-check desks (I really must make an effort to use them next time) do they end up on the retail level of the domestic terminal?

Yes, there is a re-check on the left just before you exit to the public area on the right.

The escalators bring you out in front of the Vodacom store and right next to the international departures security/immigration checkpoint. Turn left and you'll come to CNA, Woolworths, etc.. and then a bit further to the food court. One level up to checkin area "B" and the domestic departures.

http://www.seanmendis.com/images/JNB%20cnx/IMG-20120428-00055.jpg

Signage for International Transfers when exiting the bus.

http://www.seanmendis.com/images/JNB%20cnx/IMG-20120428-00056.jpg

Split between passengers heading to Passport Control and International Transfer passengers.

http://www.seanmendis.com/images/JNB%20cnx/IMG-20120428-00058.jpg

Baggage re-check desks on left before exiting to the public area on right.

http://www.seanmendis.com/images/JNB%20cnx/IMG-20120428-00059.jpg

Signage for escalator next to baggage re-check that leads up to Departures "B" bypassing the public arrivals area.

Excellent.

Thanks, B747-437B. ^

We are connecting BA to BA arriving from London and continuing on to VFA in late november London flight arrives 940 am and VFA flight leaves at 11:25. The tickets are on separate PNR one award one paid. Has anyone had this connection. Likelihood of this working out ?

If we have a 16 hrs layover at OR Tambo before we continue on SAA to Blantyre, will we still collect and re-tag our bags? Will SAA accept them that far in advance of the flight?

I've proposed finding a quiet corner to sit/lay. Do you think that is possible? See my post from July 16.
Thanks
PFCrane

If we have a 16 hrs layover at OR Tambo before we continue on SAA to Blantyre, will we still collect and re-tag our bags? Will SAA accept them that far in advance of the flight?

I've proposed finding a quiet corner to sit/lay. Do you think that is possible? See my post from July 16.
Thanks
PFCrane

I'm actually not sure what happens if it's an overnight layover. However, if it were me, I would not be particularly happy about leaving my bags in the care of JNB's baggage system for such a long period of time so I would rather collect them in the evening and then re-check them the next morning.

We are traveling next week from Washington Dulles (IAD) to JNB (a SAA flight booked thru United) and then have a separate SAA flight from JNB to CPT (booked directly with SAA). They were not ticketed together.
We intend to carryon all of our luggage on the international flight. We each have a duffel bag and a small to medium size backpack. We were assuming we would have to check our carryon bags for the flight from JNB to CPT but from what I've read on this thread, that appears to be risky--either bags not getting in on time or arriving with items missing.
How strict is SAA on the carryon limits for a JNB-CPT flight? We have 1hr 40mins between flights.

Welcome to Flyertalk. ^

Checking baggage at JNB is more risky than elsewhere and if possible it's best to avoid it.

It looks like you would be over the limit for both the international and domestic legs (assuming you have a duffel bag and backpack each) so you may have no choice but to check the bags. However, enforcement of the carry-on rules is not very consistent.

Welcome to Flyertalk. ^

Checking baggage at JNB is more risky than elsewhere and if possible it's best to avoid it.

It looks like you would be over the limit for both the international and domestic legs (assuming you have a duffel bag and backpack each) so you may have no choice but to check the bags. However, enforcement of the carry-on rules is not very consistent.

Would it make a difference if instead of backpacks they were purses or laptop bags?
Trying to figure out anyway posssible NOT to check luggage at JNB.

We arrived at JNB from JFK on SA yesterday and then grabbed a connection to HDS (domestic on SA Express). JNB airport was pretty easy to navigate as others have said, but it is quite large so expect a little walking. I was carrying a full "normal" sized backpack plus a duffel bag, both weighing almost exactly the max of 18 lbs (8 kg) and my wife had a similar size back pack plus a standard 21" rollaboard (18lbs on both again). Our bags were not weighed or even glanced at on either flight (business JFK to JNB, economy JNB to HDS). My wife had to gate check her rollaboard but that was only because the aircraft was a Q400 and it wouldn't fit in the overhead. Hope this helps someone else as we sweated luggage size and weight more than we probably needed to.

This my first time going to JNB. I am flying into JNB at 9:05am from ZRH on Swiss. Should I risk an 11:00am flight on British to Victoria Falls or just pick a later time?

If travelling on two separate PNRs I probably wouldn't risk it in case of delays.

On one PNR it should be OK.

I'm sorry to be so dense but can you plase help me.
We arrive in JNB from JFK at 8:15 in Terminal A. We depart for Windhoek, Namibia at 9:30 from Terminal B. This should be an internatioal departure but my my ticketing info does have us departing from Terminal B which I believe is the domestic terminal. Is this enough time? Do we clear customs? Thanks in advance.

One more point... this was ticketed through SAA website all on one ticket.

SAA's check-in for all flights lies in Terminal B (right at the boundary between the terminals). All international flights however leave physically from Terminal A.

If you are connecting flights, just follow the signs for International Transfers. You do not need to clear immigration/customs or collect your bags.

I'm sorry to be so dense but can you plase help me.
We arrive in JNB from JFK at 8:15 in Terminal A. We depart for Windhoek, Namibia at 9:30 from Terminal B. This should be an internatioal departure but my my ticketing info does have us departing from Terminal B which I believe is the domestic terminal. Is this enough time? Do we clear customs? Thanks in advance.

Welcome to Flyertalk. :)

Yes those escalators in the left next to the recheckin area also take trolleys.

Yes this is sufficient time although when arriving at passport control if you go to the crew desk and say you have a tight connection they will process you there saving over 20 mins in the normal passport queues!

I am flying from Livingstone to Durban next month via Johannesburg and I was wondering if anyone could describe how to transit at JNB. We have about 2 hours between our flights.

I am flying from Livingstone to Durban next month via Johannesburg and I was wondering if anyone could describe how to transit at JNB. We have about 2 hours between our flights.

Have you had a look at the first post under International to Domestic connections? There are also some photos further down the page.

For those who like to have a mental map of what their route inside the airport looks like the site for ACSA (Airports Company of SA) (http://www.acsa.co.za/home.asp?pid=228) has heaps of useful information including terminal maps.

BA304, you have done a sterling job.^ For completeness it would be great if you included sections for all types of connections - especially Domestic-International connections as this isn't just the reverse of the International-Domestic ones.

Just returned from Namibia with a connection in JNB. All international transfers DO go throught a separate customs checkpoint with a stamp in yor passport and there was a line. With a 1 hour 15 minute connection we barely made it.

The return through JNB (on SAA) was worse yet as all flights to JFK were canceled due to Sandy. SAA would not reroute us and after 3 extra nights in JNB we bought new tickets through Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific. We wanted to get to San Francisco. SAA put us up in a hotel the first night but after that we were on our own. The worst part was the lack of information. They asked us to come back to the airport every few hours for updates. What a pain! Now we are waiting to see if/how much they will refund us.

Hi, we are flying to Cape Town from Birmingham (uk), via Jo'burg, next Thursday..

Our Air France flight arrives in Jo'Burg (Terminal A) at 11:00

Our British Airways flight departs Jo'Burg (Term B) at 12:50

We will have two items of checked baggage, will we need to collect these and re-check them? and will we have enough time?

Hi, we are flying to Cape Town from Birmingham (uk), via Jo'burg, next Thursday..

Our Air France flight arrives in Jo'Burg (Terminal A) at 11:00

Our British Airways flight departs Jo'Burg (Term B) at 12:50

We will have two items of checked baggage, will we need to collect these and re-check them? and will we have enough time?

Hi, and welcome to FlyerTalk!

Last week I connected in Jo'burg from Cairo (via EgyptAir) to Cape Town (via South African). Everyone has to collect their bags and re-check them. It took me less than an hour, including a long line at the SA counter. There was no line at security (~9:30 am), so overall about a 5 min walk from bag re-check to my gate. If all is normal you'll make it in plenty of time.

Hi, we are flying to Cape Town from Birmingham (uk), via Jo'burg, next Thursday..

Our Air France flight arrives in Jo'Burg (Terminal A) at 11:00

Our British Airways flight departs Jo'Burg (Term B) at 12:50

We will have two items of checked baggage, will we need to collect these and re-check them? and will we have enough time?

As megalab said, welcome to Flyertalk. :)

You will have to re-check your bags as detailed in the first post of this thread but your connection time looks OK.

Thanks for the replies, calmed a lot of nerves!

I am planning to visit Cape Town next year and will likely take Cathay Pacific which flies to JNB and connects with Comair to Cape Town.

My questions is when I depart from Cape Town, do I need to claim lugguage and recheck-in lugguage and then go through immigrations (for departing south africa) at JNB? or can I just go through immigrations at JNB without claiming lugguage?

We flew tlv to on ELAL and on to victoria falls on BA/Comair two weeks ago. Bags were tagged all the way through. We did not need to collect and recheck the baggagein JNB we went through customs needed to wait for BA to open st the transfer desk We did need to check in with BA in JNB to get boarding passes and have the baggage tags scanned. It was very smooth process.

I am planning to visit Cape Town next year and will likely take Cathay Pacific which flies to JNB and connects with Comair to Cape Town.

My questions is when I depart from Cape Town, do I need to claim lugguage and recheck-in lugguage and then go through immigrations (for departing south africa) at JNB? or can I just go through immigrations at JNB without claiming lugguage?
On your return you can check your luggage through to HKG without reclaiming at JNB.

Make sure it is well secured though, especially if you have a longish layover - bags routinely get broken into at JNB.

Signage for International Transfers when exiting the bus.
...
Signage for escalator next to baggage re-check that leads up to Departures "B" bypassing the public arrivals area.

Thanks to B747-437B for the photo guide. it was very helpful in orienting me when I got to JNB from an overnight flight. The time it saved me helped me standby onto an earlier flight to CPT.

BA304, you have done a sterling job.^ For completeness it would be great if you included sections for all types of connections - especially Domestic-International connections as this isn't just the reverse of the International-Domestic ones.

In the spirit of gratitude allow me to show the path I took on my Domestic-Int'l connection. While it is not the reverse, it is pretty straightforward; follow the signs to Terminal A. (Pardon the poor photos taken with my mobile phone.)

I arrived from CPT on SAA at one of the Terminal B jetway gates and followed the signs pointing towards Terminal A.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/members/megalab-albums-jnb-connection-picture4968-img-0149.jpg

a moving sidewalk that switch backs took us up to the main domestic terminal.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/members/megalab-albums-jnb-connection-picture4969-img-0151.jpg

Again, follow the sign pointing left to Terminal A.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/members/megalab-albums-jnb-connection-picture4982-img-0153.jpg

If you need to check in or deal with a ticket agent, you'll see all the ticket desks in the center of the hall.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/members/megalab-albums-jnb-connection-picture4983-img-0154.jpg

I turned left, walked down a long hall, following the signs to Terminal A. I walked around an atrium looking down on the public waiting area for Int'l arrivals, following the signs towards the stairs down to the Security Checkpoint.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/members/megalab-albums-jnb-connection-picture4986-img-0163.jpg

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/members/megalab-albums-jnb-connection-picture4987-img-0166.jpg

Went down the stairs to the right. It was evening and the line was short, so got through in a couple of minutes.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/members/megalab-albums-jnb-connection-picture4992-img-0168.jpg

On the other side is Passport Control. As light as the crowd was, this took almost 20 minutes with 3 agents.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/members/megalab-albums-jnb-connection-picture4988-img-0171.jpg

Once through, there are signs providing approximate walking times to the various gates. They believe the farthest gates (A7-A18) can be reached in 10 minutes.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/members/megalab-albums-jnb-connection-picture4989-img-0174.jpg

Go through the hallway to the main hall and follow the signs to your gate. If you have time and want to shop/eat there were plenty of retail/food options.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/members/megalab-albums-jnb-connection-picture4990-img-0176.jpg

The signs also point to the various lounges in this main hall. I was headed for the SA lounge at the other end of this large hall, up some stairs on the left.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/members/megalab-albums-jnb-connection-picture4991-img-0179.jpg

Don't forget about the walking time. I had to hustle to get back to my gate at the other end of the hall from the SA lounge. I hope this helps someone make their flight.

I am planning to visit Cape Town next year and will likely take Cathay Pacific which flies to JNB and connects with Comair to Cape Town.

My questions is when I depart from Cape Town, do I need to claim lugguage and recheck-in lugguage and then go through immigrations (for departing south africa) at JNB? or can I just go through immigrations at JNB without claiming lugguage?

As mentioned, one does not need to reclaim their bag on the way out through JNB. However, as also mentioned, JNB is not an airport to trust with one's luggage. I checked my bag from CPT to ORD and it got stuck in JNB for 3 days.

I've checked bags several times a year and this is the first time in 10 years my bag didn't arrive with me, and on an all *A itinerary no less. I don't know if you can short check when connecting through JNB but it may be worth considering if you want to be sure your bags make it with you.

In the spirit of gratitude allow me to show the path I took on my Domestic-Int'l connection.
megalab, kudos for your illustrated guide. :-:

I would point out, however, that having checked your bags through you did not need to go up the moving side-walk, past the check-in desks and down again. If you had walked straight on from your point in the first picture you would have arrived at the security check point for international (at the bottom of the steps in picture 7).

Folks who do want to re-check bags can follow your documented path - but should be aware that only some of the check-in desks are where you have shown them. There is another, much larger, check-in area further along on the same level and actually in Terminal A. Using these would also result in going air side via different security and immigration check points than those shown.

I don't know if you can short check when connecting through JNB but it may be worth considering if you want to be sure your bags make it with you.
You certainly can short check bags. Even then, if your bags are going to be in JNB's custody for any length of time you are at risk of pilfering.

Just pondering this thread since there's plenty of comment here on baggage security and timeliness in JNB. Is this hyperbole, or the occasional screwup? Is theft as big an issue as described here? Lost baggage, ditto? Does this apply to JNB and CPT? I'll be in that neck of the woods in March with checked baggage and should these comments have me wondering/concerned/worried?

Does SAA provide boarding passes if pax are connecting to another Star Alliance carrier? I am doing CPT-JNB-LUN-ADD (first two segments on SAA and third on Ethiopian, all same record).

Hope CPT agents are not as strict as JNB agents are with carry-on luggage at check-in. JNB even staffs airport contract workers at security checkpoints to weigh hand baggage before passing through to the airside area.

megalab, kudos for your illustrated guide. :-:

I would point out, however, that having checked your bags through you did not need to go up the moving side-walk, past the check-in desks and down again. If you had walked straight on from your point in the first picture you would have arrived at the security check point for international...

Folks who do want to re-check bags can follow your documented path...


Happy to help. Yes, I see the alternative path. Still, given that I may want to short check and recheck next time I fly this way, it's nice to have the alternatives documented. Regardless, going up and down shouldn't take too much longer than staying on the lower level.

The main points for people who've never been this way is to allow for the potential delay at immigration, and the potential long walk to the lounges and/or Int'l gates.

Just pondering this thread since there's plenty of comment here on baggage security and timeliness in JNB. Is this hyperbole, or the occasional screwup? Is theft as big an issue as described here? Lost baggage, ditto? Does this apply to JNB and CPT? I'll be in that neck of the woods in March with checked baggage and should these comments have me wondering/concerned/worried?

I dismissed the concerns and look how I ended up! In my case one explanation may be when they checked my bag in CPT they needed to use two tags to get all my connections. Perhaps it confused the baggage handlers in JNB.

Despite it taking 2 extra days for my suitcase to get home (not necessarily spend 3 days in JNB as I stated) nothing was stolen. Not that I had anything worth stealing (dirty laundry, conference documents, common souvenirs) but I can still say while I've had a few bags delayed in my life, I've not lost anything.

Does SAA provide boarding passes if pax are connecting to another Star Alliance carrier? I am doing CPT-JNB-LUN-ADD (first two segments on SAA and third on Ethiopian, all same record).

Hope CPT agents are not as strict as JNB agents are with carry-on luggage at check-in. JNB even staffs airport contract workers at security checkpoints to weigh hand baggage before passing through to the airside area.

When I checked in at CPT for JNB the SA TA gave me my BP for my JNB-CAI flight on MS.

I recall the baggage checker at JNB when flying to CPT. Didn't notice anyone doing the same in CPT on my way to JNB.

Just pondering this thread since there's plenty of comment here on baggage security and timeliness in JNB. Is this hyperbole, or the occasional screwup? Is theft as big an issue as described here? Lost baggage, ditto? Does this apply to JNB and CPT? I'll be in that neck of the woods in March with checked baggage and should these comments have me wondering/concerned/worried?
The theft problem used to be so bad that the issue was even discussed in parliament. That caused a big crackdown and then the complaints subsided. But in October a colleague had a camera stolen (he was carrying a spare in checked luggage) and I had a bag broken into (nothing stolen - because there was nothing worth stealing I suppose) within days of each other. So I can only conclude that the risk is still much higher than most places. In all my years of flying JNB is the only place where I have had had a bag tampered with. Interestingly CPT has never been a problem in this regard.

I can't comment on lost baggage. It certainly hasn't raised the red flags that the pilferage has.

Is the moral of the story use an old/dirty piece of luggage that no one would think it's worth the time to break into ?

If JNB x-rays checked bags like other airports, they'll be able to see anything worth stealing no matter what it looks like on the outside.

Looking to pass my connections past the experts. I've read thru the thread and think I understand what I should do. I've got 4 (yep, 4) connections thru JNB in August. Any advice is appreciated

Connection 1
Intl-Dom, SA J to SA J
LHR-JNB-CPT
1:50 connection time
All one ticket

I should hopefully be able to get my bags tagged to CPT when I leave LAX since it is all one ticket and it is all *A. I will need to retrieve my bags in JNB, clear customs, and then recheck the bags. Anything additional special I need to do?

Connection 2
Dom-Intl, SA J to SA J
CPT-JNB-LVI
2:25 connection time
All one ticket

Seems like a simple one. Bags should be checked all the way thru. Just walk to Immigration and head to my plane. Or is it more complex like the Intl-Intl connections where I need to ensure my bags actually make it across by talking to an SA person?

Connection 3
Intl-Dom, SA Y to SA Y
LVI-JNB-HDS
Overnight stay in JNB
All one ticket

Given the theft from bags issues and bags going missing, I'm assuming the advice here is to tag the bags only to JNB, pick them up, and then recheck them the next morning for the flight to HDS

Connection 4
Dom-Intl, SA Y to TK J
HDS-JNB-IST
3:50 connection time
Two separate tickets

This is probably the most funky one and it looks like I have a couple options. Looking for suggestions on which one I should pursue.

Don't even try to tag the bags all the way thru. Plan on going outside security upon landing in JNB, get my bags and then recheck in for the TK flight
Don't even try to tag the bags all the way thru. Find an SA staff member inside security to have them have someone pull my bags and facilitate checking them thru the on next ticket. Is this even possible? I based this on the Intl-Intl description
Attempt to get the bags checked all the way thru (across the two tickets). Find an TK person inside security to ensure that the bag tags are properly in their system (in order to facilitate, or maybe ensure) the actual transfer of the bags. Is this even possible? Again, based this on the Intl-Intl description.

Is the first one actually the default? Is there a way to stay within security when doing a Dom-Intl connection? I obviously need to clear Immigration since I am leaving....

Have I got it right? I never thought I'd have to write such an extensive post on how to actually make sure my bags get to their destination, especially when all flights are *A and many are even on the same ticket! But this statement from my TA about JNB got me REALLY worried;


South African Airways has opened a new terminal for all their flights and at this time, it is located too far from the existing baggage handling facilities to allow for timeous connections between flights. In most cases luggage is unfortunately not making connecting flights. This is applicable to International, Regional and Domestic Air - for example from London or Washington to Cape Town or from Durban to New York. It is strongly advised that all guests travelling on South African Airways through Johannesburg, should check-in their luggage as far as Johannesburg, take possession of their luggage in Johannesburg and then rebook it onto their connecting flight. In this way they can ensure their luggage arrives at their final destination timeously. This situation is expected to continue for the foreseeable future so we would also recommend allowing for greater connection times – at least 3 hours.

Does anyone know what happened to News Cafe in Intl' Depatures/Duty Free section? Is it coming back? Huge loss.

There are basically zero places to eat in the Int'l Depatures terminal.

Looking to pass my connections past the experts. I've read thru the thread and think I understand what I should do. I've got 4 (yep, 4) connections thru JNB in August. Any advice is appreciated

I'll have a stab at this...

Connection 1
Intl-Dom, SA J to SA J
LHR-JNB-CPT
1:50 connection time
All one ticket

I should hopefully be able to get my bags tagged to CPT when I leave LAX since it is all one ticket and it is all *A. I will need to retrieve my bags in JNB, clear customs, and then recheck the bags. Anything additional special I need to do?
Correct. You might want to use the check-in counters to the left as you exit customs and the arrivals hall. (If there's a queue just go up 2 floors and check in at the regular counters. Your trolley can go on the escalators.)


Connection 2
Dom-Intl, SA J to SA J
CPT-JNB-LVI
2:25 connection time
All one ticket

Seems like a simple one. Bags should be checked all the way thru. Just walk to Immigration and head to my plane. Or is it more complex like the Intl-Intl connections where I need to ensure my bags actually make it across by talking to an SA person?

It is simple. There is no reason why your bags shouldn't make it but you can reclaim and recheck if you wish.

Connection 3
Intl-Dom, SA Y to SA Y
LVI-JNB-HDS
Overnight stay in JNB
All one ticket

Given the theft from bags issues and bags going missing, I'm assuming the advice here is to tag the bags only to JNB, pick them up, and then recheck them the next morning for the flight to HDS
This is identical to your scenario 1: you must reclaim your bags as it's an international arrival. I don't believe you will be able to re-check immediately for a flight the next day and I wouldn't want to anyway.

Connection 4
Dom-Intl, SA Y to TK J
HDS-JNB-IST
3:50 connection time
Two separate tickets

This is probably the most funky one and it looks like I have a couple options. Looking for suggestions on which one I should pursue.

Don't even try to tag the bags all the way thru. Plan on going outside security upon landing in JNB, get my bags and then recheck in for the TK flight
Don't even try to tag the bags all the way thru. Find an SA staff member inside security to have them have someone pull my bags and facilitate checking them thru the on next ticket. Is this even possible? I based this on the Intl-Intl description
Attempt to get the bags checked all the way thru (across the two tickets). Find an TK person inside security to ensure that the bag tags are properly in their system (in order to facilitate, or maybe ensure) the actual transfer of the bags. Is this even possible? Again, based this on the Intl-Intl description.

Is the first one actually the default? Is there a way to stay within security when doing a Dom-Intl connection? I obviously need to clear Immigration since I am leaving....
SA often can't even check you through on alliance partners when it's a single ticket. On separate tickets I think they will refuse. In addition HDS is a tiny airport so the chances are even slimmer that the agents will know how to do this. Given the time you have I would definitely just go for option 1. It also gives you a chance to plastic wrap them if you like - I doubt HDS has such a facility.

Have I got it right? I never thought I'd have to write such an extensive post on how to actually make sure my bags get to their destination, especially when all flights are *A and many are even on the same ticket! But this statement from my TA about JNB got me REALLY worried;
As I said previously the problem of bags going missing is far less prevalent (and there is much less you can do about it) than that of bags being opened and stuff removed. My advice is to make your bags as tamper-proof as possible. Don't check a bag with a zip that can be opened with a ballpoint pen and then resealed. Oyster shell bags are best. Or consider having your bags plastic wrapped. At the very least ensure that bags have the zip fastener locked in place.

As I said previously the problem of bags going missing is far less prevalent (and there is much less you can do about it) than that of bags being opened and stuff removed. My advice is to make your bags as tamper-proof as possible. Don't check a bag with a zip that can be opened with a ballpoint pen and then resealed. Oyster shell bags are best. Or consider having your bags plastic wrapped. At the very least ensure that bags have the zip fastener locked in place.

Thanks for the advice and confirmations. Sounds like I have it more or less correct. As far as the bags, we usually take two quality rolling duffels (Eagle Creek and High Sierra). We actually don't even have hard side luggage...

I had never even considered a device to prevent the zippers from moving. I always use zip-ties as my luggage lock since they are cheap and easy (and if the TSA or Customs wants in, they easily can and I can tell). It never even dawned on me until you mentioned it that someone could open the zipper, take things out and use the locked together zippers to heal the split they created :eek: Looks like I'll be looking into something to lock the zippers in place.

For those looking for an example of splitting the zipper, see here - http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/catalog/anti-theft-luggage-zipper-strap-p-201.html

In addition HDS is a tiny airport so the chances are even slimmer that the agents will know how to do this. It also gives you a chance to plastic wrap them if you like - I doubt HDS has such a facility.IDefinitely no wrapping, and definitely no checking through of bags on separate tickets at HDS.

Johan

Does anyone know what happened to News Cafe in Intl' Depatures/Duty Free section? Is it coming back? Huge loss.

There are basically zero places to eat in the Int'l Depatures terminal.

Is the construction still going on? I haven't even bothered to go into the area where News Cafe used to be since it closed.

this helps me understand what to expect for my first transfer in JNB to CPT.
This is why FT is so special.
thanks again.

I plan to book the following:

CPT-BFN-JNB-CAI-JFK

JNB connection time is 65 minutes. CPT-BFN-JNB is on SAA, JNB-CAI-JFK is on MS. Should be under one PNR. It's an award using US miles.

Seems I don't need to recheck luggage in JNB, will 65 minutes cut it too close? Otherwise, I'll have to book an earlier CPT-BFN-JNB with a 5 hours connection in JNB. Not particularly excited about staying JNB for 5 hours.

My 1:50 connection for CPT-JNB on SA and JNB-CAI on MS on the same PNR was more than enough time. My bags were checked through and all BPs given in CPT so it was just the time to get from one gate to the other. The total walk time from Domestic arrival to Int'l departure gate shouldn't be more than 15 minutes at a healthy adult pace so I believe 65 minutes will be fine.

What time of day/week is the trip? The biggest time risk will be getting through security and border control as you pass between terminals. It was pretty empty on the Sat evening I connected but the posts were understaffed so it still took about 15-20 minutes. However, there appeared to be enough lanes to handle substantially more traffic so hopefully they balance staff to expected passenger numbers to keep the lines moving.

Doing a MR from YYZ-FRA-JNB-LHR-YYZ. I have 10 hours in JNB. Would love to venture out, but not sure of the safest way to go. If anyone has any ideas please feel free to post or PM. I leave in about 10 days and would be very appreciative of any suggestions.

Doing a MR from YYZ-FRA-JNB-LHR-YYZ. I have 10 hours in JNB. Would love to venture out, but not sure of the safest way to go. If anyone has any ideas please feel free to post or PM. I leave in about 10 days and would be very appreciative of any suggestions.

Taxis are eye-wateringly expensive. The Gautrain is perfectly safe and the Sandton City / Nelson Mandela Square area, next to Sandton Station, is a perfectly fine place to spend some time with some decent places to eat.

Thanks. I should have checked out more on the travel section before posting. I am still, however, more then willing to take any advise offered.:)

I have tried google and looking through the forums, but I didn't find the answer I was looking for. (Sorry, if I have it have been answered and I have missed it.)

I am flying LVI-JNB-LHR-OSL. BA6292 LVI-JNB, BA54 JNB-LHR and BA762 LHR-OSL. I have a stop in JNB for 5h 30min before flying to LHR.

A colleague of mine which currently is in South Africa had some of his belongings stolen in his suitcase and he flew through JNB. (Received the suitcase 4 days after he arrived in CPT. It was in JNB all the time according to luggage tracings.) It still seems that there is a problem with luggage theft at JNB. Due to carry-on rules on BA6292 I have to pack some electrical stuff in the checked-in luggage.

Do anybody know if I can short check my luggage LVI-JNB and recheck at JNB? BA has 23 kg carry-on while Comair has 7 (or 8) kg and thus I also like to repack. Has anybody done this?

Welcome to Flyertalk, janoa. ^

Some airlines forbid short-checking of luggage but, as far as I know, BA doesn't so you should be OK. Just ask at check-in at LVI.

Is there any possibility of changing to the BA56 which leaves earlier than the BA54?

Welcome to Flyertalk, janoa. ^

Some airlines forbid short-checking of luggage but, as far as I know, BA doesn't so you should be OK. Just ask at check-in at LVI.

Is there any possibility of changing to the BA56 which leaves earlier than the BA54?

Thank you very much for your reply!

I am not if changing to BA56 would help, because the suitcase would still be 3 hours in transit at JNB and still enough time for people to have a closer look. I am also flying from LHR to OSL in the morning so time-wise is doesn't help. With BA54 I can have 'a lot of time' at JNB for repacking and checking in again.

I will report back after the trip. Flyertalk is a great forum!

At the end of a safari to Zimbabwe, we will be going for a few days at the beach in the Bazaruto, Mozambique, returning from Vilanculos, Mozambique, on LAM airlines, arriving in JNB at approx 4:30 pm to connect to a LH flight from JNB to LAX via Frankfurt departing at 7:30.
Does anybody have any experience with tagging bags all the way through to LAX with LAM. I have heard/read that LAM is not the most reliable or timely airline and not sure if it best to pick up luggage in JNB and recheck with 3 hr layover?

Do anybody know if I can short check my luggage LVI-JNB and recheck at JNB? BA has 23 kg carry-on while Comair has 7 (or 8) kg and thus I also like to repack. Has anybody done this?

Just come back from my trip. Class Y. I was able to, without any problems to have my baggage checked only from LVI to JNB (BA 6292 12MAY LVI-JNB). Picked up the baggage there, had it for a couple of hours, and rechecked.

Also used these flights (Y class)
SA 1241 02MAY CPTHDS 0930 1210
SA 1226 06MAY HDSJNB 1200 1300
BA 6285 08MAY JNBVFA 1125 1305
BA 6292 12MAY LVIJNB 1330 1515

and hand baggage was never weighted, although a lot of people had to 'Sky check' their baggage for the SA flights (smaller plane). I did notice when boarding BA54 at JNB SAA had a baggage weight standing at the gate (after boarding pass control, but right before entering the plane).

Been reading the details here of connecting at JNB. Thanks to all of your for posting your experiences (and pics - very helpful).
We are leaving next week and would like some feedback from the experts on our specific situation.

Our return flight is my concern. We are arriving on SA191 (MRU-JNB) connecting to SA264 (JNB-MUC) in business class. The itinerary shows about 1 hour/10 minutes to make the connection. Is this reasonable at JNB, given we are going SAA to SAA? I'm not sure, but I believe SA191 comes into terminal A and SA264 departs from terminal B (maybe)? I understand we will walk from terminal to terminal (international connection) and will likely go through security. Its not completely clear to me if this will require clearing passport control/immigration though? Ideally, we would like to check our bags through to our final destination, but from what I have read it may be best to collect them and recheck? I'm concerned we may not have enough time though.

I have flown to/through JNB a few times, but never had time constraints. My experience has been connecting from international to domestic flights though (not international to international). So, I am unsure if the time between flights is reasonable or quite what to do about rechecking bags given the time.

We are in business class on all flights (if that matters).

I would appreciate any advice from those more experienced with JNB.

Thanks!

I believe SA191 comes into terminal A and SA264 departs from terminal B (maybe)? I understand we will walk from terminal to terminal (international connection) and will likely go through security. Its not completely clear to me if this will require clearing passport control/immigration though? Ideally, we would like to check our bags through to our final destination, but from what I have read it may be best to collect them and recheck? I'm concerned we may not have enough time though. We are in business class on all flights (if that matters).


All international flights physically arrive and depart from the same terminal A. The only reason that your departure is shown from terminal B is that SAA check-in is technically located in terminal B (actually, right on the border between Terminals A and B, which are in reality a single large building). An SAA passenger originating in Johannesburg would check-in for either domestic or international flights in Terminal B, and then turn left to the Terminal A checkpoint for international flights, or right to the Terminal B checkpoint for domestic. Hence, you do not have to actually change terminals.

That said, you do need to pass through transit passport control and security. Follow the signs for International Transfers as described in this thread and go with the flow of traffic. It is very straightforward, so nothing to worry about. 1h10m is plenty of time to go through this - it usually takes me no more than 5-10 minutes from entering the building from my inbound flight to being through all checks and in the departure area for my next flight.

You will not however have enough time to collect and re-check your bags, if only because check-in for your connection will close 60 minutes prior to departure. Therefore, you should ensure that they are checked through from Mauritius (this will be the default option if you are on a single ticket anyway). On an SAA-SAA connection, you should not have any major issues with this.

Finally, being in Business Class has no real advantage in the transit process other than that it puts you at the front of the pack from your flight. Plus, once you clear transit security you can go to the decent SAA lounge and relax for a while! Good luck and have a good trip!

B747-437B thanks so much for your response. This is very helpful. Quick question:

Once we arrive do we need to check in with the transfer desk to confirm our luggage tags with SAA to confirm the luggage is transferred (or is this automatic?) I read here that if you don't confirm, your luggage is not transferred. Is this true?

Thanks.

Once we arrive do we need to check in with the transfer desk to confirm our luggage tags with SAA to confirm the luggage is transferred (or is this automatic?) I read here that if you don't confirm, your luggage is not transferred. Is this true?


It is always good practice to do this at Johannesburg, but if you are flying with an SAA-SAA connection AND you have been given both boarding passes at the origin point AND your bags have been checked through, then it is strictly speaking not neccesarily required as the transfer will be tracked at DCS level rather than BRS.