SAA lounge at JNB - finished yet?

[o0herbie]

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!

[Shumba]

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

[o0herbie]

Any update?

[#10]

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.

[o0herbie]

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.

[Shumba]

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

[#10]

Originally Posted by Shumba

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."

[o0herbie]

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

[ToreW]

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

[SAWorldVoyager]

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.

[thijsseh]

Originally Posted by ToreW

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.

[ToreW]

Originally Posted by thijsseh

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.

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.

[SAWorldVoyager]

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.

[soy]

[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.

[o0herbie]

Originally Posted by soy

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.