Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - SAA - Bulkhead/Bassinet seating

I have a UA Star Alliance award reservation to fly PDX-IAD-(DKR)-JNB and back in December/January. We have 3 seats, with one of the seats for my son who will be 10 months old at the time of travel.

I called SAA to see if I could reserve seats in the row 36 bulkhead but was told those could be requested through United or reserved on the day of departure. United told me that those seats were for SAA Elites only and could not be requested.

I'm *G and my wife is *S -- any idea how we can get those seats?

Get to the airport early - go to the *G check-in desk and request them.

I have a 5/5 history for getting a row 45 (exit seat) on LHR-JNB flights by doing this as the seats are not pre-allocated and are decided just before boarding.

It's a different story on the flights out of JNB though - I have a 0/5 history on those. The seats go on a first come first served basis, regardless of status. :td:

Sad to say on my last JNB-LHR flight, a mother travelling alone with a 4 month old was not given a bassinet, she had to make do with a row of 4 seats!


Also go back to SAA and make sure they are aware of and note down your need for a bassinet, regardless of whether they allocate it immediately or not.

Get to the airport early - go to the *G check-in desk and request them.

I have a 5/5 history for getting a row 45 (exit seat) on LHR-JNB flights by doing this as the seats are not pre-allocated and are decided just before boarding.

It's a different story on the flights out of JNB though - I have a 0/5 history on those. The seats go on a first come first served basis, regardless of status. :td:

Sad to say on my last JNB-LHR flight, a mother travelling alone with a 4 month old was not given a bassinet, she had to make do with a row of 4 seats!


Also go back to SAA and make sure they are aware of and note down your need for a bassinet, regardless of whether they allocate it immediately or not.

The OP's sone will be 10 months, which is too old for a bassinet (up to 6 months). Also, one of the 3 seats has been booked for the child (although he does not HAVE to have his own as per the regulations).
From the SAA website:

Seating

SAA provides extensive baby care facilities including skycradles and "baby kits" to ensure that parent's with small children are properly catered for.

There is however a limited number of skycradles provided on our aircrafts.
Please request one when you make your flight reservation.
Skycradles may be booked for infants up to 6 months of age.
Take Note

Only infants up to the age of 6 months are allowed to occupy a skycradle
Maximum weight allowed- 10kgs
Maximum length must not exceed 75cm
No one (adults, children or infants) is permitted to sleep on the cabin floor - due to oxygen availability / accessibility in the event of a decompression.
In the case of an infant reaching the age of two either before or on the return flight, a separate seat must be purchased for this purpose.
The cabin crew will also be pleased to assist you with the warming of feeding bottles.
Our toilets onboard are equipped with baby-change tables. Please ask the cabin crew where these are located.

I agree with the advice to check in early. Being Voyager Silver, I have in the past been able to book bulkhead seats (row 36) through the Voyager call centre, but not Emergency exit (row 45 on the 346); according to the agents I needed to be Gold for that.
However, one one occasion they have agreed to my request to change me from bulkhead row 36 to emergecy exit row 45 in the lounge at CPT.

The OP's sone will be 10 months, which is too old for a bassinet (up to 6 months).

I agree with the advice to check in early. Being Voyager Silver, I have in the past been able to book bulkhead seats (row 36) through the Voyager call centre, but not Emergency exit (row 45 on the 346); according to the agents I needed to be Gold for that.

Thanks for the info -- so he'll be too big for the bassinet. Good thing I'm getting him a seat.

I read this that Voyagers can book row 36 in advance, but that privilege is not extended to *A elites?