Connection in JNB
Dec 8, 2017, 2:46 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
FWIW, this may be a useful point for me to repeat my recommended walking route for international --> domestic connections (with which some other FTers agree). It is less crowded than the route you would take if you were simply to follow the signs.
When you emerge from customs, the main public meet-and-greet area is to your right, with the SA re-check facility ahead and slightly to the left. Do not go into the main meet-and-greet area.
Instead keep to the left and turn hard left opposite the SA re-check facility. There is an up escalator here. Go up that. At the top, turn left, exit through the door and turn left again. Walk around the atrium (the public meet-and-greet area is below you at this point). Continue through the corridor lined with shops on both sides (Woolworths is on the left hand side of this corridor).
When you emerge from that corridor, there's an escalator to your right. Go up that, and you will be in the Terminal B check-in area. Comair check-in desks are towards the far end of the building, closer to domestic departures security.
When you emerge from customs, the main public meet-and-greet area is to your right, with the SA re-check facility ahead and slightly to the left. Do not go into the main meet-and-greet area.
Instead keep to the left and turn hard left opposite the SA re-check facility. There is an up escalator here. Go up that. At the top, turn left, exit through the door and turn left again. Walk around the atrium (the public meet-and-greet area is below you at this point). Continue through the corridor lined with shops on both sides (Woolworths is on the left hand side of this corridor).
When you emerge from that corridor, there's an escalator to your right. Go up that, and you will be in the Terminal B check-in area. Comair check-in desks are towards the far end of the building, closer to domestic departures security.
Dec 8, 2017, 4:25 am
#17
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: London
Programs: Mucci Blue, BAEC Gold, Blockbuster Video card
Posts: 1,378
We actually paid for the BidAir 'FlyThru' meet and greet service - met pretty much at the plane doors, fast tracked through immigration, down to baggage, and dropped by our polite and efficient host at the elevator up to the SLOW lounge.
I'd spend the money again next time for the convenience, quite happily as it's small-ish potatoes (I think about 40 quid) compared to the flight costs overall.
The toilet thing was an issue but not a huge deal when we were there. Didn't have a chance to test the entry via BA status without premium onward cabin as in the end we flew club on Comair so I think we qualified both ways.
So can't vouch for the ease of entry / chances of haggling with the lounge dragons.
But they were lovely lounges though. In particular the views from the toilets in CPT were interesting - floor to ceiling windows in the cubicle, looking out onto the apron (with blinds set up to stop people looking in etc). Plane geek's dream loos really.
HTH
Pascoe
I'd spend the money again next time for the convenience, quite happily as it's small-ish potatoes (I think about 40 quid) compared to the flight costs overall.
The toilet thing was an issue but not a huge deal when we were there. Didn't have a chance to test the entry via BA status without premium onward cabin as in the end we flew club on Comair so I think we qualified both ways.
So can't vouch for the ease of entry / chances of haggling with the lounge dragons.
But they were lovely lounges though. In particular the views from the toilets in CPT were interesting - floor to ceiling windows in the cubicle, looking out onto the apron (with blinds set up to stop people looking in etc). Plane geek's dream loos really.
HTH
Pascoe
Dec 8, 2017, 6:19 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,770
Without help we absolutely would have missed our connecting flights.
Dec 8, 2017, 6:22 am
#19
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club (Silver), Le Club Accor (Silver)
Posts: 680
I can confirm back in September I flew Comair JNB-CPT on the cheapest Y ticket I could find, and my AAdvantage Platinum card (Oneworld Sapphire) was happily accepted by SLOW for entry.
One of the best domestic lounge food and beverage offerings anywhere in the world I thought!
One of the best domestic lounge food and beverage offerings anywhere in the world I thought!
Dec 8, 2017, 7:32 am
#20
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: AA MM, AA EXP; OW Emerald, EK silver
Posts: 928
If you have any concerns at all about transferring in JNB take advantage of one of the 'meet and greet' services - you'll avoid any lines or delays and you will be transferred by the most rapid route. Saves all concerns and as others have mentioned, more than worth the small cost.
Dec 8, 2017, 7:52 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,076
If you have any concerns at all about transferring in JNB take advantage of one of the 'meet and greet' services - you'll avoid any lines or delays and you will be transferred by the most rapid route. Saves all concerns and as others have mentioned, more than worth the small cost.
Dec 8, 2017, 8:10 am
#22
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: AA MM, AA EXP; OW Emerald, EK silver
Posts: 928
We got ours through Menzies; BidAir also have a meet and greet service. Don't have the exact details but check 'meet and great services JNB' on line for the links. We felt like VIPs! Will definitely be arranging the same for our next trip in August. Others on this forum might be able to give you the full contact info.
This is the Menzies email : [email protected]
This is the Menzies email : [email protected]
Last edited by dwugson; Dec 8, 2017 at 8:14 am Reason: added info
Dec 8, 2017, 8:22 am
#23
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
I used BidAir a couple of months ago. ZAR715 plus VAT and was met at the plane.
Email [email protected]
Email [email protected]
Dec 8, 2017, 9:43 am
#25
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: IL
Programs: UA-SIL MR-TIT HYT-GBL IHG-PLT HH-DIA WYN-PLT AMEX-PLT
Posts: 150
Very straightforward... AA EXPLAT/OWE card and a Comair flight in Y was no problem.
Very nice lounge at JNB (better than BA Galleries First on the international side in my opinion). Construction ongoing made the lack of restrooms a bit of a temporary downside, but great lounge and glad they are putting investment into it!
CPT SLOW was even better — perhaps the best domestic lounge I’ve been to — great all around.
Great job SLOW lounges! I’m also partial to barista made espresso drinks — that was another huge upside at both lounges.
Very nice lounge at JNB (better than BA Galleries First on the international side in my opinion). Construction ongoing made the lack of restrooms a bit of a temporary downside, but great lounge and glad they are putting investment into it!
CPT SLOW was even better — perhaps the best domestic lounge I’ve been to — great all around.
Great job SLOW lounges! I’m also partial to barista made espresso drinks — that was another huge upside at both lounges.
Dec 8, 2017, 9:51 am
#26
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Southampton, UK
Programs: BAEC GFL, GGL, Hilton Diamond, EuroBonus Gold for Life, SPG Plat Elite
Posts: 217
Connections at JNB
Recently did International to International and was lucky that an elderly couple also travelling on to LHR in F with us helped us expedite our way through the shambles that was connections. We had a 90 minute connection and probably would not have made it without their assistance.
it would have been quicker to connect landside.
it would have been quicker to connect landside.
Having experienced the shambles that was transfer connections on the outbound, returning I decided to transfer land side. It was no better, marginally worse. I think the whole of JNB will melt down soon.
Dec 8, 2017, 11:02 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,770
Very straightforward... AA EXPLAT/OWE card and a Comair flight in Y was no problem.
Very nice lounge at JNB (better than BA Galleries First on the international side in my opinion). Construction ongoing made the lack of restrooms a bit of a temporary downside, but great lounge and glad they are putting investment into it!
CPT SLOW was even better — perhaps the best domestic lounge I’ve been to — great all around.
Great job SLOW lounges! I’m also partial to barista made espresso drinks — that was another huge upside at both lounges.
Very nice lounge at JNB (better than BA Galleries First on the international side in my opinion). Construction ongoing made the lack of restrooms a bit of a temporary downside, but great lounge and glad they are putting investment into it!
CPT SLOW was even better — perhaps the best domestic lounge I’ve been to — great all around.
Great job SLOW lounges! I’m also partial to barista made espresso drinks — that was another huge upside at both lounges.
Dec 8, 2017, 11:14 am
#28
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oxon, UK
Programs: Mucci des canapes, Skywards Gold, BAEC Gold, IC Plat Amb, Accor Gold
Posts: 1,950
Feb 11, 2018, 5:47 am
#29
formerly Christopher Sutton
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 214
Just wanted to update everyone on actual events following this discussion and post. Connection was very straight forward. Immigration was relatively efficient. Bags arrived fairly quickly and walk to Comair to check-in was a doddle though with bags I advise everyone to take the lifts up to domestic check-in. There was a Comair domestic connection check-in desk as you leave international arrivals but looked fairly time consuming and inefficient so we just made our way to standard check-in.
Re: SLOW Lounge. Lady at check-in said I was fine to use the lounge however upon presenting my J arrival boarding card was told under no circumstances was I entitled or able to use the lounge unless I was in possession of a J domestic ticket! So wasn’t fine I’m afraid.
Chris
Feb 11, 2018, 6:04 am
#30
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,499
Re: SLOW Lounge. Lady at check-in said I was fine to use the lounge however upon presenting my J arrival boarding card was told under no circumstances was I entitled or able to use the lounge unless I was in possession of a J domestic ticket! So wasn’t fine I’m afraid.