Thanks for your prompt reply. You are correct about the plane size...I believe 17 rows with 5 seats across.

When we were denied boarding, we suspected overbooking, but actually 4 people in our group made the original flight and they said the plane was only about half full. We arrived at check-in well within the guidelines for int. departures, but the lines were extremely long and incredibly slow. There were monitors throughout JNB that said "Check-in will take longer due to a new system." When we fianlly got close to the check-in counter, we were continually asked to step aside while agents checked-in passengers to Livingstone which had an earlier departure than our flight. We were continually assured that they were in communication with the gate and Operations and that our flight would not leave without us. Right.

We were shocked to get to the gate and learn that the shuttle bus had departed and we would not be allowed to board. Initially the gate agent told us he would get us on the British Airways flight & escorted us to the International Transit Desk. Again, huge lines that were moving at a snail's pace. I asked a passenger near the front of one line how long she had waited; she said 1 hour & 50 minutes. We knew if we had to wait that long, we would miss the BA flt to VFA, so the SA agent said "You wait right here. I'll get someone who can help you." He disappeared and 20 minutes later we resigned ourselves to the fact that he had, in fact, abandoned us.

Later, passenger services agents said the plane should never have left without us -- They blamed it on a communications breakdown. Interestingly enough, our luggage made the flight. Whatever, the JNB airport hotel was a far cry from the safari lodge we had paid for in Victoria Falls and we missed an entire day of activities.

Again, thanks for your insights.
Madonna