Looking to pass my connections past the experts. I've read thru the thread and think I understand what I should do. I've got 4 (yep, 4) connections thru JNB in August. Any advice is appreciated
Connection 1
Intl-Dom, SA J to SA J
LHR-JNB-CPT
1:50 connection time
All one ticket
I should hopefully be able to get my bags tagged to CPT when I leave LAX since it is all one ticket and it is all *A. I will need to retrieve my bags in JNB, clear customs, and then recheck the bags. Anything additional special I need to do?
Connection 2
Dom-Intl, SA J to SA J
CPT-JNB-LVI
2:25 connection time
All one ticket
Seems like a simple one. Bags should be checked all the way thru. Just walk to Immigration and head to my plane. Or is it more complex like the Intl-Intl connections where I need to ensure my bags actually make it across by talking to an SA person?
Connection 3
Intl-Dom, SA Y to SA Y
LVI-JNB-HDS
Overnight stay in JNB
All one ticket
Given the theft from bags issues and bags going missing, I'm assuming the advice here is to tag the bags only to JNB, pick them up, and then recheck them the next morning for the flight to HDS
Connection 4
Dom-Intl, SA Y to TK J
HDS-JNB-IST
3:50 connection time
Two separate tickets
This is probably the most funky one and it looks like I have a couple options. Looking for suggestions on which one I should pursue.
- Don't even try to tag the bags all the way thru. Plan on going outside security upon landing in JNB, get my bags and then recheck in for the TK flight
- Don't even try to tag the bags all the way thru. Find an SA staff member inside security to have them have someone pull my bags and facilitate checking them thru the on next ticket. Is this even possible? I based this on the Intl-Intl description
- Attempt to get the bags checked all the way thru (across the two tickets). Find an TK person inside security to ensure that the bag tags are properly in their system (in order to facilitate, or maybe ensure) the actual transfer of the bags. Is this even possible? Again, based this on the Intl-Intl description.
Is the first one actually the default? Is there a way to stay within security when doing a Dom-Intl connection? I obviously need to clear Immigration since I am leaving....
Have I got it right? I never thought I'd have to write such an extensive post on how to actually make sure my bags get to their destination, especially when all flights are *A and many are even on the same ticket! But this statement from my TA about JNB got me REALLY worried;
South African Airways has opened a new terminal for all their flights and at this time, it is located too far from the existing baggage handling facilities to allow for timeous connections between flights. In most cases luggage is unfortunately not making connecting flights. This is applicable to International, Regional and Domestic Air - for example from London or Washington to Cape Town or from Durban to New York. It is strongly advised that all guests travelling on South African Airways through Johannesburg, should check-in their luggage as far as Johannesburg, take possession of their luggage in Johannesburg and then rebook it onto their connecting flight. In this way they can ensure their luggage arrives at their final destination timeously. This situation is expected to continue for the foreseeable future so we would also recommend allowing for greater connection times – at least 3 hours.