Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - SAA Domestic Biz: How Different from Economy?

Has anyone flown in biz class on South African Airways domestically? I'm looking at a Johannesburg to Cape Town flight and I can't find any info on the differences between business and economy class on this domestic flight. The aircraft is a 738.

I want to book biz class if the seats are more roomy/comfortable. We'll be connecting in JNB after a JFK-JNB flight in economy on Delta. I'm afraid we'll be exhausted and may need the more comfortable business class cabin on the way to Cape Town.

But, since it's a domestic flight, maybe the biz cabin isn't all that different from economy. Any first-hand experiences to share? Thanks!

Andrea

Flew JNB-CPT on SAA 738 two weeks ago. You better get business class for your JFK-JNB leg, IMHO not worth it for the two hour hop to CPT.

It is not convertible seating like in Europe (I think), but dedicated seats. They are 2-3 instead of 3-3 in economy, and have some more legroom.

The seating is definitely better in C than in Y. Wider seats and a bit more legroom. Of course food is better.
Is it worth the difference in fare? Not in my opinion. I only use it as an extention of an International trip in C, as in that case the cost difference is negligible. The flight between JNB and CPT is less than 2 hours, which pales into insgnificane compared with your longhaul from the USA! And the legroom in Y is not THAT bad.

Of course you can use the biz. lounge in JNB when you travel in C, but even that is not worth the difference: a discounted ticket in Y can be around R1600 (incl taxes), Not sure what C is, but it must be around R4500? (both for a return fare).

I recently flew JNB-CPT, on Saa 738. Was very pleased with seating,food & cabin crew. We had an amazing purser who greeted every passenger upon entering the plane. Very attentive,we even got our own bottle of wine (full bottle of excellent SA wine)

I have first hand on all domestic with 346, 319, and 738.

IMHO, the only C worthy of its price is 346 because it's the same flat bed as Int'l. There's only one 346 per day for JNB-CPT.

C in 738 is just a premium Y, not really C by today's standard.

Avoid 319 at ALL costs!!!

I have first hand on all domestic with 346, 319, and 738.

IMHO, the only C worthy of its price is 346 because it's the same flat bed as Int'l. There's only one 346 per day for JNB-CPT.

C in 738 is just a premium Y, not really C by today's standard.

Avoid 319 at ALL costs!!!

Are you sure it is a 346? On my SA346 CPT-JNB the equipment was a 342 (even though the flight number might suggest otherwise ;) )

Are you sure it is a 346? On my SA346 CPT-JNB the equipment was a 342 (even though the flight number might suggest otherwise ;) )Different equipment will rotate in and out of flight numbers on different days - so while the flight number may stay consistent that doesn't mean the aircraft will. Depending on the day of the week and the time you will find a combination of 342 & A340-343/346 on the JNB-CPT route. So some days flight number SA346 may be a A340-346 or it could be something else.

Has anyone flown in biz class on South African Airways domestically? I'm looking at a Johannesburg to Cape Town flight and I can't find any info on the differences between business and economy class on this domestic flight. The aircraft is a 738.

I want to book biz class if the seats are more roomy/comfortable. We'll be connecting in JNB after a JFK-JNB flight in economy on Delta. I'm afraid we'll be exhausted and may need the more comfortable business class cabin on the way to Cape Town.

But, since it's a domestic flight, maybe the biz cabin isn't all that different from economy. Any first-hand experiences to share? Thanks!

Andrea

Has anyone flown in biz class on South African Airways domestically? I'm looking at a Johannesburg to Cape Town flight and I can't find any info on the differences between business and economy class on this domestic flight. The aircraft is a 738.

I want to book biz class if the seats are more roomy/comfortable. We'll be connecting in JNB after a JFK-JNB flight in economy on Delta. I'm afraid we'll be exhausted and may need the more comfortable business class cabin on the way to Cape Town.

But, since it's a domestic flight, maybe the biz cabin isn't all that different from economy. Any first-hand experiences to share? Thanks!

Andrea


Andrea:

Too bad you are not doing the direct flight on SA between JFK and JNB. It is a direct flight on an A340-300. Even in Economy Class on SA the seat pitch is 34" versus the 31"-32" pitch on DL. Also, depending upon when you are traveling, the DL flight requires a change of planes via ATL or DKR when traveling between JFK and JNB.

Different equipment will rotate in and out of flight numbers on different days - so while the flight number may stay consistent that doesn't mean the aircraft will. Depending on the day of the week and the time you will find a combination of 342 & A340-343/346 on the JNB-CPT route. So some days flight number SA346 may be a A340-346 or it could be something else.

Agree. It appears that SA333 (JNB/CPT) and SA346 (CPT/JNB) are 'always' widebodies, more often than not 346 but also sometimes 342 and even 343. Some other flights (notably SA327 Southbound and SA 352 Northbound) are regularly (but far from always) flown with the widebodies. The downloadable *A timetable gives good information in this regard, provided you use a recent update and not look too far ahead (and even then I dont guarantee accuracy!).

To get back on topic: although of course the International C product offered on these flights is world class, it still in my opinion is not worth paying the extra R2500. Who needs a flat bed on a 2 hour daytime flight? For those who never experience the product on an overnight flight, there is the 'novelty value', but otherwise.....
Finally, to call the C product on the 738 'premium economy' seems a bit harsh for a domestic service. Most Intra-European C products are a heck of a lot worse with the economy seat and the middle seat blocked out being called "C". :td:

I'm locked into Delta for the long haul flight since I'm flying on an award ticket. I've heard great things about the SAA JFK-JNB route though. Maybe next time.

Delta ended up changing their schedule out of JFK so we were able to route directly from JFK to CPT with a refuel stop in Dakar.

When we fly CPT to JNB before our safari, we're taking SAA biz class. I decided for the cost differential, it was worth it for us. (My traveling companion is a nervous flyer and it's really best if we can seat 2 across so his nerves don't bother anyone else!)

Thanks for all the comments. Very helpful!