Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Business Class on SAA FRA to JNB

Can anyone confirm that SA261 is a 747-300 in the autumn? Also, I hear the new business seats from LHR are now fully flat. What about FRA?

Thanks

londonelite,

cheers from JNB... i just did ZRH - JNB yesterday and will do JNB - FRA tomorrow in SA C Class.

the metal is indeed 747-300 on both destinations, the FRA one had not even inseat video (but offered watchmen) when i did it in july. it is really not great to see the 747-400 seats and entertainment explained in their inflight guide if YOU are at the same time in this old a/c ...

to be honest, imho it comes no way near C Class standard of other (*A) carriers, knowing that SA is NOT *A but has codeshares and mileage agreements with variuos well known carriers (such as LH).

the service was so poor, i am sorry, but it just keeps repeating at low level. and due to company travel policy for that rout i have no other option (apart from AF which is hard if you are connecting in CDG and your baggage gets lost every time). yesterday, they ran out of 2 main course choices with 3 more seat rows to cover. and the seats just let you not sleep without a stiff neck...

so, avoid going on 747-300 if you can.

the 747-400 for LHR look great though (from pics), both C Class and F Class flat beds, F Class looks like SR F Class and i think it was actualy taken from their concept. so, if you go via LHR you might have an option with SA (but be aware that there are as well non-400's from LHR, at least amadeus tells this...)

hope that helps a bit.

mag

Thanks very much for your reply.

Unfortunately I have no choice but to travel SA on that route (apart from anything else, LH is sold out in F and C on three days around which I have to travel).

I just received their timetable with seatmaps and see that there are three different 747-300 configurations. Any idea which is used on the FRA-JNB route? Also, can you recommend a good pair of seats?

I'm not encouraged by your report, particularly since their literature goes on and on about the high level of service and comfort.

Thanks for your help

londonelite,

i will board SA260 to FRA in 10mins and i will check for you the details...
i will be in upper deck which i think is in any case the better choice (it should be something like rows 8 - 16).

i hope my friend gordon gin and his partner tonic will make me sleep... ;o)

Thanks...have a good flight http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

londonelite,

arrived safely... (1h delayed due to late departure in JNB, without explanation, without apologies... missed connection in FRA, well...)

some remarks for you (ignore my reply before, the ZRH and FRA 747-300 are different).

- really old plane, no inseat videos, watchmen offered

- F Class: rows 1 - 3. 2 - 2 configuration

- C Class:
upper deck rows 4 - 14. 2 - 2 config. go for row 9 if you like upper deck: exit row...
main deck rows 15 - 17. 2 - 3 - 2 config.
i was in 15A which is good actually: bulkhead, best legroom available in main deck. the service in this main deck cabin was actually good because: it was only 3 rows, they take orders quickly and serve you directly from the galley (aft) without trolley which speeds it up significantly (but food is nothing special).

well, under-expect and SA will deliver... i hope my comments help you to make the best out of your trip.
please give us your opinion after you experienced it.

Thanks for the report...I will underexpect!

Looks like I will try for row 9, since I'm pretty keen on the upper deck.

mag

Got back from SA last week and must thank you again for your advice. Equipment was indeed 747-300 (felt very old) with C class on upper deck. 9A/C pretty good but not the most comfortable seats....and I thought LH needed to update their seats!

On the flight back we had a last monute equipment change and was stuck in the lower deck...very uncomfortable.

Food was OK and the crew were competent and friendly but seemed pretty disorganised. Oh well, we got there safely and quickly, I guess that's what counts.

Cheers

[This message has been edited by LondonElite (edited 08-26-2003).]