eugegall

Happy Monday all!

A fellow member mentioned that you can pay Bidair to escort you from the plane to the baggage hall. Missing any potential queues at customs.

I've never been to Johannesburg so my question is, is it worth it? Are queues like JFK where this would be a benefit for Ł40 each? We want to get to our lodge as quickly as possible but we do have a connecting flight with Federal Air at 10:30am.

We are flying in business with BA and land at 7:05am so in theory we have plenty of time but just wanted to know others thoughts please.

Thank you!

shadowline

I can only offer a single experience/datapoint, but flying in F (and without any fast track service) we were off the plane and through immigration and to the baggage hall pretty much without stopping. We were on the BA057 service, that's due in at 0915 so there may be an element of luck that no big planes had landed just before us.

Soft Top

It depends on how quickly you are off the plane and how many other planes arrive at the same time. I have always been unlucky and had a lot of queueing at JNB. Last time it was as bad as JFK, (and most US airports), and that was being first off the plane. Of course I also find that the baggage tends to be pretty slow there too so unless hand baggage only I usually have to wait somewhere!

I do prefer to wait at the baggage belt than shuffle along at immigration though so I'd pay Ł40 if available. I think they will take you through the crew line as I do see a number of people going through there - usually crew and disabled passengers but suspect also paid for fast track too.

I'll check out for this next time I go through!

pomkiwi

My personal experience is that if you are on the early arrival it can save a fair amount of time and queuing I've paid around $50 to a company called Pearl Assist (for up to 4 adults) on several occasions and found it helpful. For the later flight I wouldn't bother as immigration was deserted and my escort told me that it was usually very quiet at that time.

Outbound is often worthwhile (especially on a Sunday as this is apparently the busiest evening) and there is no fast track for BA premium pax - worked well once for us but the second time we couldn't find the guy. Got my money back after a bit of e-mail discussion.

djbenedict

I've flown BA into JNB twice this year and a dozen times in the last five years. Personally I wouldn't (and don't) bother with this. At most I estimate I've waited 20 minutes; normally it's less than 10. The only factor that might make it worthwhile is if you walk very slowly. From the plane it's about a 5 to 7 minute walk with one flight of stairs/escalator. Far enough to overtake a lot of people if you walk quickly, or vice versa. But, even then, you have plenty of time - so I would suggest save your money. No comparison whatever with a bad US airport for immigration queue time.

Swanhunter

signol

I've never had to wait more than 10 minutes in the immigration queue, in about 10 visits to JNB - I may have been lucky though. Customs is after the baggage haul, you may be selected for a search (I have been once) which took 20 minutes or so.
On the way back, I've usually tried to use the new security and immigration point between International and Domestic - it's always been much quieter than the main International one.

signol

ajeleonard

If you mad a shorter connection, and having to take the later Federal Air flight would mean missing the afternoon game drive then it might be a worthwhile insurance policy, but in this case you'll be fine

djbenedict

+1 for this, especially good if you have no checked luggage. They are absolutely ok (at all security points) with mobile BP too.

Globaliser

For this reason, it is definitely not worth paying if departing JNB.

First, have a look at the security area behind the BA check-in desks. If it is anything other than almost empty, abandon it and do this instead: Go back to check-in and walk out of the check-in area towards the road. Once out of the check-in area, turn left and walk towards the atrium in the middle of the building. Before you get to the atrium, to your left you will see this other security checkpoint.

It is no doubt unworthy of me to think that this facility is better, better staffed and easier to use because it is well-positioned for those checking-in with SAA in the Terminal B check-in area for international flights.

escape2sun

The BA55 has a bad habit of being late in my experience and lands after all the other aircraft due between 07:00 and 08:00, and it can take 45-minutes to get through immigration. On those occasions, waiting for baggage can add another 30-minutes

The BA57 is better as there are very few aircraft landing at a similar time, and you can get through immigration quickly, but still have to wait for bags

malmostoso

I used the service a couple of years ago arriving on LX F, with a similar 3h "connection", and I was glad I paid for it. Just see it as travel insurance: how much would it cost you to miss the onward flight, both in cash and holiday time?

It saved me at least an hour in the queue and the stress of finding my way in a new airport. I'd recommend it.

Ned1968

Apologies for the partial hijack - I'm flying LHR to CPT in January, with a transfer at Joberg (arriving BA55 at 7:15am) from Terminal A to Terminal B to catch a Comair flight departing at 9:25am. All on one 125- ticket

Should I be thinking of using a priority service? The idea of queuing for an hour when I have a 2:10 connection sounds interesting

escape2sun

Ned1968

That doesn't sound promising!