Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - SAA's 340-200s

Hi... I'm having an argument with a friend who claims that SAA has some A340-200s on lease from BMI and I reckon that BMI only have/had A330s... can anyone advise us which carrier the aircraft are borrowed from?

Thanks, Ricardo

AFAIK the SA 342's are on lease from Airbus themselves. They were previously operated by Lufthansa. Souce: http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/South%20African%20Airways-active-a340.htm

SAA once had at least one 340-200 from BMI. IIRC that was for a limited time and it was usually dispatched on the route JNB-MXP.

bmi never had any A340, however, they leased an A330-200 twice to SAA:

http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a330-401.htm
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a330-404.htm

Sorry if this is OT but can someone confirm if the 342 still doesn't have personal TVs and on demand IFE? I booked the 342 LHR-CPT thinking it was the 346. Besides the IFE, is there much diff from the 346? I am in Y. Flown the 346 in Y and not too bad considering, I am hoping the 342 will be the same.

Thanks!

Sorry if this is OT but can someone confirm if the 342 still doesn't have personal TVs and on demand IFE? I booked the 342 LHR-CPT thinking it was the 346. Besides the IFE, is there much diff from the 346? I am in Y. Flown the 346 in Y and not too bad considering, I am hoping the 342 will be the same.

Thanks!

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news: The 342 a) has not got PTV's (and hence no on-demand entertainment either and b) has a few (2?) inches less pitch in Y. :td:

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news: The 342 a) has not got PTV's (and hence no on-demand entertainment either and b) has a few (2?) inches less pitch in Y. :td:great, really looking forward to my upcoming 342 EZE-JNB flights now. I guess the only consolation is that the flights look pretty empty if the seat maps are anything to go by!

great, really looking forward to my upcoming 342 EZE-JNB flights now. I guess the only consolation is that the flights look pretty empty if the seat maps are anything to go by!

Cautious with seat-maps on SAA. They only allow pre-seating selection on certain (high) booking classes. Don't pin your hopes too high based on seatmaps.

Thanks for the info capetonian . Taught myself a lesson about not checking carefully before booking. I scheduled the trip catch the new C on the UA 763 to LHR, so Y on SAA with tight leg space when continuing on is going to be tough. Can always hope for an equipment swap or major schedule change in the next month...