Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - JNB - MRU: SA or MK?

Greetings, fellow flyertalkers - I'm planning a mini-holiday for me and my GF in Feb 2009. I'm working in Zambia, she's doing her doctoral research in India and the plan so far is for us to meet and hang out in Mauritius.

For the JNB - MRU sector, which airline would you fly, SA or MK, in J? Based on some initial research, I found that SA typically operates their regional aircraft (A319, I believe) for this sector; MK operates both their intercontinental (A343, I believe) and regional aircraft (don't recall which type) for this sector. However, are MK's A343s refurbished with the new J seats?

How is the meal service on SA vs MK for this sector? I've flown J on SA between LUN and JNB (nearly a two-hour flight), and it's not as impressive as their multi-course service on the intercontinental flights - a single-course light meal (it's been a vegetarian frittata in an economy class-size dish with sliced fruit in a small bowl), followed by coffee/tea with a piece of biscotti or nougat.

Finally, what lounge does MK use in JNB, and what lounge does SA use in MRU?

Thanks in advance for your insights and recommendations, and stay tuned for a trip report!

Finally, what lounge does MK use in JNB, and what lounge does SA use in MRU?

Thanks in advance for your insights and recommendations, and stay tuned for a trip report!Hi aidsactivist.

Can't speak to MK in the air. For SA...

JNB-MRU v.v. on SA isn't great, isn't horrible, food is so-so, seats suck, you are correct, A-319's. In MRU, SA uses the MK lounge (see here (http://www.airmauritius.com/lounges.htm)), turn left just after immy - convenient location, hostesses are pleasant and guard against intruders. Biz. class lounge is upstairs on the mezzanine whilst 1st is downstairs, and 1st will go away soon if it hasn't already.

In JNB MK uses the Premier Club. Pretty disgusting, better than nothing, but makes the SA biz. lounge seem luxurious by comparison.

Regional SA (e.g., LUN-JNB) is never as good as their long-haul.

Will

Thanks, TravelinWilly. I enquired about meal service with the SA agent, who told me that a snack is served for JNB - MRU and vv; for a relatively long flight (five hours for JNB - MRU and three hours for MRU - JNB), I was expecting more. The meal service on MK seems a bit better - starter, choice of three mains, dessert, cheese and biscuits and coffee/tea. In the end, it's all about managing expectations - and why should I expend any energy getting worked up about the lack of a proper meal in J on SA for flights between JNB and MRU when the cuisine in Mauritius is suppose to reflect the diversity of its population?

I wrote about my JNB - MRU flight on SA (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=9277928#post9277928) in my TR. There are some pics accessible from the links in that post.

I flew in February this year and it was on a 737-800.

Moomba, thanks for your reply, TR and photos! Based on your description and photos, I'm impressed that SA offers the same kinds of pillow, amenity kit, menu and meal service as their intercontinental flights on the JNB - MRU sector. But these things are almost essential, considering that: (1) the flight itself is relatively long; (2) SA is competing with BA and MK; and (3) SA is operating regional aircraft with the relatively less generous seats in J.

I'll add to the FT collection on TRs for this sector once I complete my trip - thanks for your insights through yours!

I'll be doing this route in a couple of weeks. Will try to remember to take notes/post a TR for you aidsactivist.

Thanks, MKE-MR! Have a good trip, and I look forward to your TR!!

Well, I finished. Truth is, there's not much to add to the previous report. They are using a 737-800 on this route now, but I'd imagine it is much the same as the A319. Seating is 2-3, so the A side is preferred on this aircraft if you like window seats. Row 2 on the A side and 1 on the F side are the bulkheads--row 1 has only 2 seats so seat 2C is an "unlimited legroom" seat.

Seat pitch is roughly like that of UA's Economy Plus, definitely nothing special. I'd estimate it at 37", no more. Row 6 felt slightly roomier than Row 5, but I doubt it was true.

Meals were a little better in presentation than reported. The outbound from JNB was a 3 course meal (starter, main, cheese or dessert) which featured the worst and most overcooked piece of beef I've ever had on an airplane. This shortly after 9:35 AM departure. Service was nonexistent for the rest of the flight after a coffee service. The return was about the same though the meal was somewhat better in quality.

Entertainment consists of drop-down screens every few rows similar to the Airbus style. Short feature and movie were shown in an apparently random fashion. Neither movie matched ANY of the listed selections in the in-flight magazine for the route, and the short features were interspersed with periods of nothing showing before it started up again. Definitely nothing here worth counting on.

Overall it was a pleasant enough flight. I'd rank it slightly better than European business class, but worse than an American first class. If MK is flying their long-haul equipment, and the price is the same, I can't imagine it would be any worse...but by the same token, if they're flying their A319s, I can't imagine it's much better either. I did ask the SA station manager if they ever fly anything better into MRU, and he said that occasionally they will get a 346 on a day where there is a huge group booking--but definitely not often. This is again at odds with the in-flight magazine which lists the route as a 346.

On the subject of lounge, there are only two lounges in MRU, and both SA and MK use the same one (as does Priority Pass) so this is no factor on that end. There is no first class section left in the lounge, as a previous poster alluded to. In JNB, my big disappointment was the search for wi-fi and a power port, so I didn't actually observe where the MK lounge was. The SA lounge is decent: nice decor and showers but gets quite crowded. If you go in and then turn right and go around the bar, there is a "secret" section of the lounge which seems to be the last to fill up, so if there are no seats in the portion immediately visible, head back there to find a seat.

I flew MK last year between NBO and MRU. I may well fly them again next month between JNB and MRU as it appears BA/Comair may be cancelling my flight.

My flight was on an A319. I was in business class and there were three rows of seats, arranged 2x2. They were typical of domestic U.S. first class seats, with, perhaps, another 5-10 inches of legroom. In other words, they were quite comfortable. Each seat also had a foot pillow (not sure what else to call it) that was not part of the seat, but that you could use to elevate your feet. One could either appreciate it (I did) or curse it for taking up some of your legroom.

Meal service was fine. Three course meal plus cheese. Food was good, but nothign too memorable. MK actually publishes its menus on their website. Service was also good.

On the day I would be flying from JNB to MRU, Comair, SAA and MU all offer flights. Comair leaves at 8:30, SAA and 9:30 and MU at 1:30. The MU flight time stinks, IMO, as it lands at 8 PM and denies you the beautiful mountain views on landing. It also means you get to your hotel no earlier than 9 PM, realistically speaking.

Nonetheless, between the three options, I think it safe to say that MU offers the best J class experience, and even mroe so if they are using a A340 or A330 on your day of travel.