Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - SAA: Best Seats, Inflight service... first timer

Hi!

I will be taking my first flight with SAA in December to CPT. I guess the chance is high that I will be on the A340-600 (my first time too) as I will be flying out from FRA.

Would like to know what are the best seats (besides bulkhead/exit) on this aircraft. I know that their seat pitch is at poorly 31 inch. So, preferable trying to avoid any seat with the PTV box under the seat. Also, will it make any difference if I check in early for my flight to try and request for a bulk/exit. I heard that they usually reserve these seats for Voyager Status members.. I guess being a LH FFP basic member is nothing and will not be any help here :(

How are the other inflight services on board and what can I expect?

Any other experiences or advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

:)

I find service not so great and food portions small on SAA - but inflight entertainment and wine are good. Though to be honest I've flown them only in c and f. For seats this may help:

Seating Tips


South African Airways

Business Class - Boeing 747-400

The best seats in Business class are the left hand side, Row 27 bulkhead seats.

This is for 747-400 used on New York or Atlanta routes.

Economy Class - Boeing 737-800

Best seats are row 11, the first row of Economy Class. Seats 11A and C are actually Business Class seats and offer more space and better legroom. B737-800s are used on most domestic and regional flights

Economy Class - Boeing 747-400

Any seats on the Upper Deck - more space and better service. Best seats are on the Emergency Exit, Row 84

Economy Class - Airbus A340-600

Emergency Exit seats - Rows 45

Economy Class - ex London : Boeing 747-400

Try and get the seats in the upper deck cabin. They seem to have slightly more leg room, and if you get a window seat - storage cupboards next to the seats.

Thanks erik123, but sadly, don't have the means to fly C or F.

Anyway, I was given the following pre-reserved seats, on the A340-600,
outbound: 72D/E
inbound: 62 A/B

I tried asking for one with more legroom.. and from what I saw from the seatmap, seems that 72E has free space in front. Is this true? It is the second last row from the back of the aircraft.

As for the inbound, I believe they are bulkhead seats. I hope to check in as early as possible for this to secure the seats. I know that they do give SAA Voyagers status holders higher priority.

Hope to get more feedback on this. Can't wait to get on this looooonnnnng bird. :p

;)

On the A340, avoid the "outboard" (i.e. on the window side of either aisle)bulkhead and emergency exit row seats at all cost, as these have air bags (really!) built into the seatbelts. Take it from me, the airbags make these seats excruciatingly uncomfortable. The seats in the middle block of four on these row do not have airbags (ask not what the logic behind this is, I haven't a clue).

If I remember correctly, the bulkhead row is 38, and 45 is the emergency exit row.

johan

Hi Johan
I spoke to SAA in Copenhagen about this and today the manager here wrote to me saying....

Thank you for your e-mail. I am aware that there have been some investigations as to the technical possibilities in building air-bags imto seatbelts, but as far as i am aware
this has not come to anything. I am sure if SAA should decide to do this we would be imformed.

Best regards

So what must I do with my seating in row 45 on 1 Jan??

Thanx
A

Well, these airbags were certainly there when I flew FRA-JNB-FRA in November of last year. Out in 38A, back in 45C.

The bags are the size, shape and consistency of a large salami sausage. If you keep the seatbelt fastened you can not rest your hands comfortably in your lap, nor is it possible to eat properly as the bag is in the way of the tray table. If you release the belt, the bag sticks right up into your armpit. There is no room to tuck it away between your leg and armrest, nor is there room to push it up against the seatback. A night in one of these seats is a nightmare, believe me.
I e-mailed SAA, and got the following reply :

"Thank you for your e-mail dated 14 November 2003, regarding our new Airbus aircraft.

It is pleasing to note that you view the flight attendants and catering in a positive light and would like to thank you for your kind comments. It is our aim for our customers to surrender into the control of the crew and enjoy the unbeatable experience of being transported onboard South African Airways.

On a negative note, we are disheartened to hear that you found the onboard products uncomfortable due to the airbag. The width of the seats is the maximum permissible of 17-inches. This is the approved regulation by the Civil and Federal Aviation Authorities. We apologise for the discomfort endured."

I sure hope SAA has done the sensible thing and removed these airbags. It beats me what purpose they serve. If the aircraft comes to a sudden stop against the side of a mountain or so, they are not likely to do much good. They may perhaps be of some use in a less severe accident, such as a runway overrun, but it that case you still stand a good chance of having your neck broken by the contents of the overhead bins. Why only a few seats in the aircraft have these airbags I can't fathom. Let's be thankful that not all seats have them!

johan

I seem to remember when looking at a seat map of a SA 346 that the bulkhead seats said something like "baffle" or something like that? Not sure since the tool is offline at the moment ;)