Actually for complete transparency, and as many people have raised it in this lengthy thread, this is verbatim the advice I gave my wife in a lengthy WhatsApp message (I had forgotten I sent her this message in all the drama which followed!): Was this unreasonable/did I set her up to fail?

3. Tips for at the airport/on the way:

- Your flight leaves at 21:25; you must enter security by 20:50; try to get there by 20:00, to avoid any problems!

- Your flight will probably leave from the B or C gates – you will have to get the train

- You have to go to the BA visa check desk – you will have to show them your boarding pass to Mauritius (just for you – Lxxx and Nxxx are OK!)

- Your flight will be full

- You can try to connect to the plane’s WiFi if you want (they charge for it) – but it often doesn't work with British Airways!

- Your flight arrives in Johannesburg about 09:30. It is often 1-2 hours late.

- Don’t go through immigration, follow the signs for international transfers

- Once you are in the departure lounge, go to a lounge – there are lots of them (at least 6-7 different ones), and most or all let you enter for a very reasonable price – try the Bidvest one first. You can get free food and drink, and they have showers.

- Connect to the lounge WiFi, and tell me which one you are in. I will see you there around 11:30. Our flight to Mauritius is at 13:35

- Call me any time on your journey, I will stay awake until after your flight leaves!