Originally Posted by aristoph
I always find it very strange that there are these reports of Nelson Mandela flying BA, especially on the LHR-JNB route. Since 2003 SAA has offered him and his wife free first class travel around the world.
http://www.news24.com/News24/South_A...389479,00.html Surely he can't like BA so much he would pony up £xx grand AND snub his own country's airline as well?
My guess is he does not pay for it. He gets about 3,000 requests a year to speak, and I imagine they all pay. I bet BA would be willing to fly Madiba free just for the press. They seem to love making it known that the SA rugby team fly BA sometimes!
On topic... my father once had this problem. Very unpleasant situation, although he was not denied entry. I find SA immigration to be the most thorough out of any country I have visited.
On US immigration stamping... I have asked them before to use a particular page. The agent was only too happy to oblige. Doesn't hurt to ask.