Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - SAA Connections in JNB - New Central Terminal

Has anyone seen the new SAA facilities in JNB in the Central Terminal Building ? I understand that SAA consolidated their domestic and international check-in, departures and arrivals in the new Central Terminal Building (I think they are calling it Terminal B). This should allow much easier connections in JNB and will avoid having to transit from one terminal to another for check-in when making domestic and international flight connections.

I am traveling through JNB in May on SAA and anxious to see the new facilities.

I was at JNB on Saturday, had a good look around. The new checkin area upstairs is an extension of the current domestic checkin counters. It stretches all the way to the new SAA arrival area (but 2 floors up).

There are more than sufficient counters now, and the whole hall is very roomy and light, definately world class. The middle level all the shops and banks are open with the exception of Woolworths (but their food licence is proudly stuck up on the door).

Arrival on the ground floor, from Domestic all the way through both International arrival halls is relatively a short distance (+/- 200m).

Transfer whether arriving domestically and departing via international or arriving on an international and transfering to a domestic, is quite simply changing up two floors, and a short walk (all indoors).

JNB is looking quite slick, plenty of elevators, and esculators, and probably 80% done, with not too much to go (I reckon just the station and the revamp of the international counters and they will be done). Although I would like to know what they are planning for the old International arrivals hall.

Oh yes parking is a pleasure too, literally thousands available.

..............
JNB is looking quite slick, plenty of elevators, and esculators, and probably 80% done, with not too much to go (I reckon just the station and the revamp of the international counters and they will be done). Although I would like to know what they are planning for the old International arrivals hall.

Oh yes parking is a pleasure too, literally thousands available.

Wow, you almost make it sound to us Capetonians that we should stop trying to avoid transferring at JNB ;). Any improvement in the baggage pilfering situation?

For these Jo'burgers - wait till the new CPT opens. :D

I agree, JNB is looking world-class, and I was utterly wowed when I first saw it.

Will

Any improvement in the baggage pilfering situation?

Touch wood [Typing with one hand, hitting my head with the other] In 15yrs of extensive travel through JNB never had any item stolen from my bag. Secret is no locks, no baggage wrap, I simply take my laptop, camera, watches, money as carry on.

Touch wood [Typing with one hand, hitting my head with the other] In 15yrs of extensive travel through JNB never had any item stolen from my bag. Secret is no locks, no baggage wrap, I simply take my laptop, camera, watches, money as carry on.

Neither has it happened to me in all the years I have been going though JNB. I have had problems in FRA twice. :td:

One thing I noticed last week about the new SAA checkin at JNB was ONE weighing machine (this seems to be a JNB issue). What's that all about?

Also, anyone pass through JNB domestic on Monday afternoon? The baggage situaiton was chaotic! Minimum staffing levels and transportation problems lead to long delays for bags. Worse, was total lack of communicaiton from SAA!

Neither has it happened to me in all the years I have been going though JNB. I have had problems in FRA twice. :td:

Likewise lost an iPod during a TSA inspection in Atlanta, and a bag between LHR and ZHR. Africa has been good to me thus far.

Neither has it happened to me in all the years I have been going though JNB. I have had problems in FRA twice. :td:

To be fair, I never actually lost anything at JNB. Had my luggage clearly opened twice (last time in December 08), but both times there was nothing to their liking in there, I presume. I still remain sceptical about the place.

To be fair, I never actually lost anything at JNB. Had my luggage clearly opened twice (last time in December 08), but both times there was nothing to their liking in there, I presume. I still remain sceptical about the place.

To be fair as well - I never put anything valuable in my luggage.

To be fair as well - I never put anything valuable in my luggage. Would shoes qualify as valuables? ;) There has been a report on FT of shoes being removed from a checked bag at JNB. Damned inconvenient if you have to carry your shoes in hand luggage. But even more inconvenient to arrive without them at your destination.

Must add that I too have had nothing taken or lost at JNB to date. Long may that continue.

Another inprovement at JNB (and CPT) is the dropping of the tedious and pointless customs form. That is probably temporary so enjoy it while it lasts.

Another inprovement at JNB (and CPT) is the dropping of the tedious and pointless customs form. That is probably temporary so enjoy it while it lasts.Okay, completely OT, but since you mentioned it...I was entering at JNB a few weeks ago, and I asked the surly immy dude when that started (not filling out the forms), and he ignored me. So I asked again. And he ignored me. So I asked again, loudly. :) He said "Awhile ago," which I thought was really concise. And a typical SA bureaucrat's answer. Anyway, when did this start, anyone know?

Anyway, when did this start, anyone know?Not quite sure, but I think I last filled out one of those forms over a year ago.

Johan

My understanding is that these forms were dropped after a syndicate was discovered which used them to identify who to follow home or to their hotel for a 'personal visit'. May be 'urban legend' though :confused:

forms were dropped end August early September if I remember correctly.

Another inprovement at JNB (and CPT) is the dropping of the tedious and pointless customs form. That is probably temporary so enjoy it while it lasts.

But then in March they all in a sudden re-introduced the departure form which I hadn't seen in years (which is even more useless than the arrivals form).

But then in March they all in a sudden re-introduced the departure form which I hadn't seen in years (which is even more useless than the arrivals form).How odd. Was that at CPT? They were certainly not required for my departure from JNB on March 30.

How odd. Was that at CPT? They were certainly not required for my departure from JNB on March 30. Likewise two departures through JNB in March no departure form, will check again tomorrow.

I left on the 5th of March and had to fill in one of the old departure forms (the only difference was that they did not ask for the flightnumber as previously but only for the means of transport, i.e. air, vessel, car, etc.).

I asked the check-in staff about that and they mentioned they were brought in again a couple of days ago. :confused:

edit: yes, it was at CPT.

Update on the departure forms:

I left the country via JNB on the 11th of May and sure enough these departure forms where lying around at JNB. As nobody at check-in gave me one or pointed out to me to fill one in, I thought I would give it a try without the form.

No problem, they weren't even remotely interested if I had the form or not.
:confused:

Departed JNB on May 20th and no forms were required.