roadwarriorafrica
Jun 25, 09, 6:38 am
Trip Report
Kenya Airways – Business Class
NBO-JNB 04 JUNE 2009
BOEING 737-800
J CLASS: 50% 8/16
Y CLASS: 80%
SEATS 1A 1C 1D
Flying Time: 4 hours
Check in:
Having checked in online the previous day, we arrived at JKIA at 6:00 am for a 7:40 am departure. Usually the airport is very busy in the morning. KQ flights all depart from Unit 2, but in the morning, the JNB, DAR and EBB flights depart from Unit 1. There was no queue at the business class counter, and we had our bags checked in and tagged through to JNB in less then 5 minutes. We cleared immigration and were airside in less then 10 minutes of arriving at the airport.
We did not use the lounge, as it is small and crowded, but headed up to Java Coffee House and had come strong Cappuccino’s.
Boarding:
Boarding was announced at 6:50 am. We had to walk down the stairs of the air bridge and then up the steps to board the plane. The front door was being used for rows 1 – 12 and the rear door for all other passengers. We had the first row all to ourselves.
Flight:
Once we settled down, we were offered a juice/water/sparkling wine (I had the latter. It is the Nederburg Sparkling, which is average). Newspapers were offered. There were already headphones in the seat pocket. The 737-800 has overhead screens. Seating in Business Class is comfortable seats 2-2 that recline around 55 degrees with adequate legroom. Menus were also distributed and our order for breakfast was taken.
Breakfast consisted of Yoghurt, fresh fruit, cereal, bread/croissant and a choice of either scrambled eggs with sausage or sausage with hash brown or some bean dish. I had the eggs, which were tasty, and substantial for the flight.
After take off (7:10 am – 20 minutes early), the breakfast service commenced. Tablecloths were laid out, and hot towels handed out. Then a tray of juice. Then the meal tray. The hot food was brought separately. There was a regular tea/coffee service throughout the meal.
After the breakfast trays were cleared, we were told that there was a bar service available at any time, with a choice of wines, beer, soft drinks, juices and spirits. About an hour before we landed, I felt it was right to have a couple of glasses of the Rupert’s and Rothschild red – a fantastic South African wine which would be appropriate before arriving into South Africa.
There was a duty free service. Throughout the flight, the cabin crew regularly checked on the passengers to see if they were comfortable. Service was excellent and very friendly.
Entertainment was overhead screens that showed the BBC News Service, followed by a movie and then some short comedy programmes. There was also a choice of around 10 audio channels.
We landed at 10:50 am, and after a long taxi, we were at the airbridge.
Arrival:
Johannesburg airport is now massive. There are so many immigration desks, that we waited less then 5 minutes. The staff were professional and courteous.
Even though our bags were tagged priority they took over 20 minutes to come. There was no one at customs, and we were out in a breeze.
Verdict
KQ offer an excellent J class product. What makes them better then other airlines is good service.
Kenya Airways – Business Class
NBO-JNB 04 JUNE 2009
BOEING 737-800
J CLASS: 50% 8/16
Y CLASS: 80%
SEATS 1A 1C 1D
Flying Time: 4 hours
Check in:
Having checked in online the previous day, we arrived at JKIA at 6:00 am for a 7:40 am departure. Usually the airport is very busy in the morning. KQ flights all depart from Unit 2, but in the morning, the JNB, DAR and EBB flights depart from Unit 1. There was no queue at the business class counter, and we had our bags checked in and tagged through to JNB in less then 5 minutes. We cleared immigration and were airside in less then 10 minutes of arriving at the airport.
We did not use the lounge, as it is small and crowded, but headed up to Java Coffee House and had come strong Cappuccino’s.
Boarding:
Boarding was announced at 6:50 am. We had to walk down the stairs of the air bridge and then up the steps to board the plane. The front door was being used for rows 1 – 12 and the rear door for all other passengers. We had the first row all to ourselves.
Flight:
Once we settled down, we were offered a juice/water/sparkling wine (I had the latter. It is the Nederburg Sparkling, which is average). Newspapers were offered. There were already headphones in the seat pocket. The 737-800 has overhead screens. Seating in Business Class is comfortable seats 2-2 that recline around 55 degrees with adequate legroom. Menus were also distributed and our order for breakfast was taken.
Breakfast consisted of Yoghurt, fresh fruit, cereal, bread/croissant and a choice of either scrambled eggs with sausage or sausage with hash brown or some bean dish. I had the eggs, which were tasty, and substantial for the flight.
After take off (7:10 am – 20 minutes early), the breakfast service commenced. Tablecloths were laid out, and hot towels handed out. Then a tray of juice. Then the meal tray. The hot food was brought separately. There was a regular tea/coffee service throughout the meal.
After the breakfast trays were cleared, we were told that there was a bar service available at any time, with a choice of wines, beer, soft drinks, juices and spirits. About an hour before we landed, I felt it was right to have a couple of glasses of the Rupert’s and Rothschild red – a fantastic South African wine which would be appropriate before arriving into South Africa.
There was a duty free service. Throughout the flight, the cabin crew regularly checked on the passengers to see if they were comfortable. Service was excellent and very friendly.
Entertainment was overhead screens that showed the BBC News Service, followed by a movie and then some short comedy programmes. There was also a choice of around 10 audio channels.
We landed at 10:50 am, and after a long taxi, we were at the airbridge.
Arrival:
Johannesburg airport is now massive. There are so many immigration desks, that we waited less then 5 minutes. The staff were professional and courteous.
Even though our bags were tagged priority they took over 20 minutes to come. There was no one at customs, and we were out in a breeze.
Verdict
KQ offer an excellent J class product. What makes them better then other airlines is good service.