Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - SAA lounge at JNB - finished yet?

I've read some reviews on Skytrax that the SAA lounge at JNB is currently in refurb and there is a very poor alternative laid on.

Does anyone have info on this? I'll be spending a few hours in there on the 29th May (my birthday!) and don't want to be slumming it!

I'm flying tomorrow so I'll check it out....

Any update?

As of 23 May, the new Byobab (sp?) lounge in the international departure area (for business and *G) is still under construction. I asked the women at the desk when they expected the new lounge to be opened; they looked at each other and laughed. You need to turn left off the escalator and head towards the VA lounge but keep walking. Seems like your walking to nowhere (which you kind of are). Hope the new lounge will be finished by the 29th.

Thanks #10. Looks like it won't be pleasant then!

Business class is already sold out, so zero chance of somehow getting a freebie op-up.

Apparently there is no set date for the opening of the new lounge, and the temporary lounge will be used for the foreseeable future.

Apparently there is no set date for the opening of the new lounge, and the temporary lounge will be used for the foreseeable future.

My Robben Island tour guide said: "In England, you have watches. In Africa, we have time."

Still unfinished last night, and the temporary lounge was rammed to the point that people were standing.

This was unacceptable, so I blagged my way in to the First class lounge :D

Having a transfer at JNB on 13 June, and would appreciate any news on the lounge situation.

Pax with business class tickets should be offered First class lounge, airfares are way to high to be forced to use such a disgusting lounge.

Voyager and alliance members travelling in Y should receive other compensation whilst this so called temp lounge is in use, that will force SAA to get their rears into gear.

Having a transfer at JNB on 13 June, and would appreciate any news on the lounge situation.

I read the Sawubona (SA in-flight magazine) yesterday. In it, acting CEO Chris Smyth acknowldeges that the current Int lounge at JNB is substandard and asks passengers to have 'a few more months' (IIRC) patience (and assures us that the wait will be worth it). So it seems sure that on 13 June you will still be out of luck.

I read the Sawubona (SA in-flight magazine) yesterday. In it, acting CEO Chris Smyth acknowldeges that the current Int lounge at JNB is substandard and asks passengers to have 'a few more months' (IIRC) patience (and assures us that the wait will be worth it). So it seems sure that on 13 June you will still be out of luck.

:mad:Not good, but thanks for your update. Agree with SAWorldVoyager - they should have a better offer than a substandard lounge in a hub like this.

The latest news I got on 12 June when I visited the lounge was that the new one will only open end August.

Its shameful that in JNB, BA, Emirates, Virgin, Air France, Swissair have swanky new lounges and the home carrier has this "room" with lousy old chairs, thats cramped and crowded even during off peak times.

The arrivals lounge at the Inter Continental is closed too, with no alternatives.

Most annoying.

[QUOTE=SAWorldVoyager;11921276]Its shameful that in JNB, BA, Emirates, Virgin, Air France, Swissair have swanky new lounges and the home carrier has this "room" with lousy old chairs, thats cramped and crowded even during off peak times.
[QUOTE]

Are you sure Swiss have a lounge, their website suggest they use the SAA lounge.

Are you sure Swiss have a lounge, their website suggest they use the SAA lounge.They are now in the new pier - I think it's shared with a non-airline organisation - it does not feature a *G logo.

LH share with SA, but not LX.

Last time I flew LX, they were using the Virgin clubhouse as an F lounge.

Lounge was packed on wednesday and there are no toilets in the lounge!! Was directed to the First Class lounge for toilets. Asked the staff there politely to use this lounge since Baobab was full, and travelling J-cl as *G. The kind lady was about to let me in when the guy next to her overheard and said that I was to use the contract lounge in between (don't remember the name). This was ok, half full, some food and at least toilets.

They are now in the new pier - I think it's shared with a non-airline organisation - it does not feature a *G logo.

LH share with SA, but not LX.

Is it the BidAir lounge that LX use?

http://www.gosimply.com/airport-lounges/south-africa/johannesburg-airport/jnbipre

Well it looks like I could be down again soon - any news on this SAA embarrassment?

My stepdad is a Voyager Paltinum member and asked the platinum lounge when the new Buisness Class lounge will be opening. They said that it looks like it will only open in November as they had to change contractors... Bad news as i will be travelling and using the temp lounge next month and would appreciate a shower... :(

We will be travelling SAA J Class through Jo'Burg and have a five hour transit in the international terminal, October 1st.

Is it likely that the new SAA business lounge will be open by then?

If not, is it worth paying for access to the Bidair lounge?

We will be travelling SAA J Class through Jo'Burg and have a five hour transit in the international terminal, October 1st.

Is it likely that the new SAA business lounge will be open by then?All the anecdotal evidence says no.

If not, is it worth paying for access to the Bidair lounge?Impossible to answer unless you tell us what you want from a lounge. It is not expensive (at least it wasn't when last I knew - ZAR145) and you can get in free with a Diners Club card. As you are in J you will presumably get well fed/watered on your flight so presumably won't need to stock up a lot beforehand. If you would like something resembling a meal during your layover then the lounge offerings will not suffice. Another reason to use the lounge would be for the showers.

The general waiting area at JNB is not usually unpleasant and has a reasonable selection of shops to entertain you for an hour - or two, depending on your shopping proclivities. (Disclaimer: I have never spent more than half an hour there. My comment is based on walking through.)

.....

Is it likely that the new SAA business lounge will be open by then?

......

By now they have been 'building the new lounge' for a year. Somewhere I read that it will open in November, so I guess the answer to your question is 'not likely'.
The day it actually opens should be declared a public holiday, with SAA aircraft doing their 'flyover' routine. :cool:

From the SAA website...

SAA opens Interim Business Class lounge

South African Airways (SAA) has opened temporary international departures Baobab Premium Class Lounge at O.R Tambo International Airport.

The current Baobab Premium Class lounge at international departures has been closed to accommodate the construction of a new and upgraded facility.

The new design will match world class airline lounge standards and is expected to open in the second quarter of next year. It will be developed to accommodate SAA’s growing number of passengers. The new lounge will boast, amongst other things, hi-tech audio visual entertainment and business/internet facilities, bistro style food and beverage offering, a secure hand luggage area, a dedicated Voyager desk to assist our Premium passengers and an interactive children’s area. A magnificent view of the runway will add to our customers’ visual enjoyment.

The inclusion of these and other facilities have been undertaken following extensive research of passenger requirements.

SAA apologises for any inconvenience the interim arrangement may cause our customers, but they can rest assured that there will be something quite impressive to look forward to in terms of the new lounge. Above all, it will offer them an improved, exclusive and upmarket experience with a fresh design that is part of <ends abruptly>

This doesn't look good for our arrival and int'l transit on Nov 22nd!

From the SAA website...

SAA opens Interim Business Class lounge

South African Airways (SAA) has opened temporary international departures Baobab Premium Class Lounge at O.R Tambo International Airport.

The current Baobab Premium Class lounge at international departures has been closed to accommodate the construction of a new and upgraded facility.

The new design will match world class airline lounge standards and is expected to open in the second quarter of next year. It will be developed to accommodate SAA’s growing number of passengers. The new lounge will boast, amongst other things, hi-tech audio visual entertainment and business/internet facilities, bistro style food and beverage offering, a secure hand luggage area, a dedicated Voyager desk to assist our Premium passengers and an interactive children’s area. A magnificent view of the runway will add to our customers’ visual enjoyment.

The inclusion of these and other facilities have been undertaken following extensive research of passenger requirements.

SAA apologises for any inconvenience the interim arrangement may cause our customers, but they can rest assured that there will be something quite impressive to look forward to in terms of the new lounge. Above all, it will offer them an improved, exclusive and upmarket experience with a fresh design that is part of <ends abruptly>

This doesn't look good for our arrival and int'l transit on Nov 22nd!

I read this last year on their website, as the lounge was supposed to open in the second quarter of this year (2009) so i'm pretty sure they have just not updated that newsflash. I was told that they were looking at opening it at the end of this year.(December was what they were aiming for)

I'm hitting there 23rd December, in transit to Durban - fingers crossed, but somehow think I might be dissapointed.....

I'm hitting there 23rd December, in transit to Durban - fingers crossed, but somehow think I might be dissapointed.....Well here's hoping you get the scoop on the new lounge! :cool: Your timing might just be right since they would want to finish before everyone goes on leave in mid December.

South African Airways (SAA) would like to inform its valued Business Class passengers that the new International Departures lounge at O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg will officially be opened in December 2009. Up until the opening, we encourage you to make use of the interim facility on the Mezzanine level of International Departures after the security and passport checkpoint.

SAA sincerely appreciates your understanding and patience during construction of the new lounge and promises that the wait will be worthwhile.

The new departures lounge combines elements of African royalty in all its opulence and contemporary décor. Customers can expect a lounge that matches world class standards. You will be guaranteed a pleasurable and comfortable experience from the moment you are welcomed at reception to when you step out to board your flight.

The new departures lounge combines elements of African royalty in all its opulence.Mobutu Sese Seko style? :D

Johan

Mobutu Sese Seko style? :D

Johan


I burst out laughing at this.

Will be transiting through to Harare on Tuesday and was looking forward to trying the SAA lounge :-(. I will have a guest with me. It looks like we'll be using the Priority Pass lounge instead (at least, from fairly distant memory, that lounge has the all important shower and toilets).

Looking at what I presume is the new SAA lounge under construciton (on the mezzanine level - opposite the new BA Galleries lounge - last Monday night they certainly looked like they had plenty work to do ... the Shell is there but the walls weren't plastered .. wires hanging all over the place etc.... it looked a pretty long way from being done.

I'd say you're looking at late December rather than early - though they were still workign on it at 8pm at night .. so maybe (finally!) there's a rush on to get it finished

Here's a handy hint we learnt last weekend.

Go to the first class lounge, and ask to use the showers. They won't allow you in the showers, but will allow you in the toilets. You'll be given complimentary access to the non-aligned 'premer lounge' next door and can use their lounge and showers instead of the pathetic effort that is the SAA business lounge.

On Sunday morning they had no facility for making tea or caffeinated coffee. An utter shambles.

Luckily we're in LH F on Monday night - so we'll be in the first class lounge anyway.