Following a light brekkie, the same driver dropped me off in front of the now former international terminal at 9am. The new T3 – now open was due to be inaugurated 2 or 3 weeks prior this flight. Perhaps other opportunities to fly to DAR will arise soon.
Covid-19 upset plans for a trip to ZNZ from this terminal this week.
No vehicle search but the usual process after like its East African counterpart hubs (Addis, Bujumbura, Kigali or Nairobi):
1/ Only travellers can enter the terminal,
2/ First security X-Ray,
3/ only 2 check-in desks opened for all TC flights. The business counter was closed. No mention about the new launch route, thumbs down!
4/ Swift immigration process,
5/ At the upper level airside, you pass the second security check!
JCL dedicated lane.
Window seat
.
I've toured the familiar terminal before going downstairs to grab my second breakfast at the Tanzanite lounge. Half way inside, after handing over the BP to the dragon and already starting recording video; she called me back a few minutes later in a polite manner.
Despite the outdoor sign (upper level) indicating Air Tanzania – as a reminder, the home carrier – their business class passengers were forbidden whatsoever. She asked me if I hold an Amex Plat card, yes she was shown the AF/KL Amex Platinum card. In a very respectul explanation she added that a PP card should be shown at the same time. Which I don't have. How stingy from ATCL to not include a lounge access on international services!
Tanzanite Lounge: we
DON'T serve Air Tanzania, our flag carrier...
I decided to join the growing snaking line, separating the gate 5 to JNB and its departure lounge with uncomfortable chairs – no toilets, after a document check. After taking a couple of pix and vids of this limited area, a relaxed man sitting on a bench waved me. I've made the effort to go seeing him, via a detour first as an elucidation was needed from the check-in agent: why there wasn't any lounge for Africa's most promising airline named Air Tanzania...
He profusely laughed and was proud of the compliment but his answer smelt crap – Most certainly, due to lack of info about the new terminal opening – he could not be blamed for that and we chit chatted a bit!
Rush hour begins at 10h30.
Windows did not show an enthusiastic view – only short/medium haul airliner at the gate connected to our departure lounge. So I went to see this worried traveller curious about my current photo activity.
- Are you a journalist? Not at all!
- So why are you acting like that in a busy airport? This is the inaugural Air Tanzania flight to JNB, my friend!
- Do you know this is totally prohibited in airports? By the way, where are you coming from? From France what about you?
- Nigerian, residing in Jo'burg!
- Ok my friend, I promise you that your face won't appear anytime in my TR or videos, are you satisfied with that? Yes! Enjoy your flight
(You bet in his country he would have asked for a bribe somehow...)
General boarding was announced regardless of the ATCL FFP (if any), classes or row. Fair enough disabled and families were called first.
Adieu, veau, vache, cochon, couvée.... No new terminal, no (new or )lounge at all in DAR, no first African A220 and worst drama, no 787 on this inaugural although still being rostered the eve.
What a bummer, no widebody today!
Every cloud has a silver lining: first ride on A220
During boarding, through the jetbridge, VIPs and Officials were interviewed and upon stepping into the aircraft Tanzanian journalists recorded every pax movement. At this time, I couldn't help but thinking about my fellow Nigerian "friend" requesting being hidden on my videos/photos minutes ago, but ended up being more in sight on social medias than the crew on this peculiar flight!
TC208
Dar Es Salaam – Johannesburg
A220-300 Business – 2A
10:30 (GMT+2) – 12:45 (GMT+1)
Duration: 3h15
Distance: 1509 miles
Caution row 1: Do not sit here.
Neat looking and well groomed cabin crew.
Comfortable seat with an average recline.
Foot rest.
Power outlets plus glass/bottle holders.
More local/regional journalists (TV, radio, newspapers) and special guests, mainly from TZ, boarded the jet than regular revenue pax. As usual for this type of flight, atmosphere was jolly, every one talking to each other even more in economy class.
Waiting for the big fish...
Elias John Kwandikwa – Minister of Works, Transport and Communications; Isaya Mwita Charles – Mayor of Dar es Salaam.
Ladislaus Matindi – Managing Director and CEO; Emmanuel Korosso – Board Chairperson.
Mayor of Dar es Salaam.
The most fustrating moment popped up when ATCL's unique 787 parked next to us 10 min before pushing back. (Info revealed by an official in JNB, said too low loads prevented from operating the planned wide body on this inaugural). Our cute cabin leader came in no time to suggest a PDB – tropical juice, water or a strong yellowish so called champagne!
Representative of the South African diaspora in Tanzania.
Bubbles prior departure.
Flying domestic runs to Mwanza (MWZ), now to BOM as well.
The chummy seat mate worked for ATCL PR, a genuine goldmine for first hand infos. I did love very much its optimism about ATCL's future as well as aviation in East Africa – saying every airline targets different markets hence room available for all them if they manage to cooperate and sign on existing continental agreements...
First Dreamliner christened "Kilimanjaro / Hapa Kazi Tu".
Check inside
DAR new T3 here, thanks to Flyertalk member [MENTION=875312]Goaguy[/MENTION] thread.
Once airborne, clearly it was impossible to move around the cabin(s).
Too many journalists glued to VVIP in J, VIP in eco or consulting regular travellers for their experiences during the entire 3h+ flight. As a cabin crew, it must be a nightmare to perform on such types of flight, unless SOP varies.
Skyline.
Lovely A220 feature
.
They kept smiling all the way long – even when a near miss spilled drink happened (yeah feeling a bit tipsy) or fighting her way among journalists on the aisles with the pax lunches!
Full cabin.
Economy class legroom.
At work.
What surprised me the most was the 3 course choice for lunch. No menu handed out, the hostess verbally suggested chicken, vegetarian or seafood options to choose from! I opted for the seafood main, trusting Tanzania freshness. Meal was absolutely delicious
!
Pipping hot towel.
Silverware.
3 options: fish, chicken, vegetarian (biryani).
King prawn curry.
No dessert, only cheese and crackers!
Seat mate chicken choice.
Then, time to comply with the normal activity in flight, touring the aircraft. My Sony camera at hand, all travellers were very keen to provide only positive feedbacks about ATCL and Tanzania in general. The rest of the flight was spent to chat with the knowledgeable seatmate. As talking dries up the throat, attentive crew eagerly refilled my glass a few times without calling her. Thumbs up, I got drunk up to now, thus the late posting of this TR...
No Amarula on stock? Cognac ought do the trick...
At some point, cockpit crew announced the descent and approach. Everyone went back to his/her seat. Except a TV journalist still interviewing the CEO at 1A. Well below 10k feet he kept his seat in J class and started recording the approach and landing. Due to his aisle seat and seeing my window mounted camera – he requested me to film the most important sequence of any flight with his heavy high value profesionnal camcorder. He was very grateful for this. I was pissed off for not taking any good photos for you
!
Airbus engineer.
Sentrarand railway marshalling yard.
SAA A330.
Malawian 737.
A shower of affection.
Asanteni sana kwa safari nzuri
Water salute and journalist flashes aside – arrival process at JNB was a breeze, for me exclusively. Certainly most likely by luck as ME3+ET landed at the same time and honestly the queue went from horrible to infinite when reaching passport control.
Fortunately, an ATCL representative called on all journalists, VIPs and all staffs doing a turnaround to follow her to the airline crews/disabled/vip fast track lane. Being none of them myself, she probably has mistaken me for one of them as heading to the no visa required + holding 2 cameras. I was invited with the joyful large group somehow. Thank you soo much as it was gladly appreciated to skip the dreadful queues as after a 5 min wait for all staff onboard and a 7 min waiting for the turn at the immigration, the lugguage could be collected in no time.
45 minutes delay (it should be noted 12h45 instead of 11h25).
No priority tag, but no wait at the carousel!
Today's experience should have ended up past customs at JNB as no event was promoted prior departure nor when deplaning, but having a comfortable connection until the next KQ763 to NBO I decided to quickly check in the bag first and then spend the time to the amazing decks.
JNB having 2 excellent viewing decks landside, my favorite being above the main atrium, I thought that visiting the one nearer to KQ counters first and then to the atrium would offer most of the action.
Off to the nice observation deck.
Upon arriving at the northern most observation deck, the area filled with TC billboards was cordonned off and a security guy was scrutinizing/filtering every movement. Politely introducing myself, next question, what so exciting was happening there? The arrival ceremony (I guessed it
).
BP at hand as a valid proof, I simply explained him that I flew the launch outbound flight and added that a few more photos from Africa's busiest hub would perfectly complement the current report. When he told me that the party entrance required an official invitation, a bit disappointed I told him that I would only stay 5 min there maximum. The guy looked askance to me for a flat 20 sec, without any word.
He told me to stand still for another few min at the OR Tambo museum entrance while he disappeared during a short time. He, along with TC MoC, granted me the access after a series of questions!
How cool – that's why I would like to thank all my Tanzanian & South African sisters/brothers for being genuinely welcoming, as usual dare I say...
Bongiwe Pityi-Vokwana: General Manager O.R. Tambo International Airport.
Earlier than expected, Tanzania diaspora leader quickly took the mic, as for the ceremony,
Tanzanian delegation, officials and journalists were all denied entry into S.A. by immigration.
There were hot mini (beef or veggie) skewers and other cold snacks on the buffet.
Some ambassadors to South Africa (can't remember from which countries).
Jubilant Tanzanian expats.
The next photos will bring you to the end of the fantastic journey, despite some minor mishaps. Certainly teething issues or it would not be Africa!
Maisha marefu.
Going home as TC209.
Also going home, the same day, on KQ763 and AF815.
AF815 light breakfast 90min after departing NBO.
Over Sicilia, Signature Cocktail declined.
A bit stingy but good!
Tasting a whisky made in France:
Bellevoye Blue Triple Malt
FINAL THOUGHTS
Yes, famous member Carfield posts his frequent great inaugurals much faster. Kudos to him!!
In September 2019, Air Tanzania suspended its flights to Jo'burg 2 months only after this experience. Do you know other short lived routes examples accross the Globe?
After the Covid-19 pandemic, will more opportunities come to:
- Board an Air Tanzania 787, at least on a longer route ( LGW hello...)?
- Transit or depart from the newly built hub T3 at DAR (LGW hello...) with TC?
- Visit Tanzania, being the first worldwide country to welcome tourists on 19th of May 2020?
- Explore East Africa incl. Burundi, Tanzania and eventually South Sudan on a single tourist visa along with Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda for $100 or even $150?
- Tour Burundi with more developped infrastructures? As the newly elected Head of State, Évariste Ndayishimiye, brings hopes of a new tourism dawn for this tiny yet peaceful country.
When you will read these words, without the Covid-19, we should have been sipping a tasty cocktail and enjoying a colorful sunset during a nice stroll on a Zanzibari beach....
Many thanks for reading, comments and corrections always appreciated
.
Please take care of your family and yourself!
Léonard.