Transit JNB: BA to BA (Int to Int)
Nov 9, 2019, 7:00 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Epsom, Surrey
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 104
Transit JNB: BA to BA (Int to Int)
I snagged 2-4-1 in Biz LHR to JNB, and we are considering heading up to Livingstone when we land.
Our inbound lands at 0915, the outbound to LVI would be 1100 (BA, operated by Kulula)
They would be separate tickets.
As we would be Int-Int in transit, I assume we can stay airside at JNB?
If that's the case then I'm reasonably happy with a tight connection, but if we have to clear immigration etc. then we'd probably book a hotel for the night.
Alternatively, we could do LVI at the end of the trip, but that would mean flying back the day before we fly, as I don't fancy missing the flight home
Thoughts? Has anybody else done the same?
Thanks in advance
Sean
Our inbound lands at 0915, the outbound to LVI would be 1100 (BA, operated by Kulula)
They would be separate tickets.
As we would be Int-Int in transit, I assume we can stay airside at JNB?
If that's the case then I'm reasonably happy with a tight connection, but if we have to clear immigration etc. then we'd probably book a hotel for the night.
Alternatively, we could do LVI at the end of the trip, but that would mean flying back the day before we fly, as I don't fancy missing the flight home
Thoughts? Has anybody else done the same?
Thanks in advance
Sean
Nov 9, 2019, 7:32 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Programs: MUCCI; BAEC Lifetime Gold; Marriott Bonvoy Emeritus Titanium; Hertz#1, Avis President’s Club
Posts: 3,214
I might be wrong, but I think the problem you'll have is that your bags won't be checked through which means you'll have to clear immigration to get your bags.
Nov 9, 2019, 8:28 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Epsom, Surrey
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 104
Nov 9, 2019, 2:34 pm
#4
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: UK - the nearest airport is named after a motorway !
Posts: 4,234
Yes, you can stay in int’l transit then, no need to clear immigration (there is a small transit immigration desk but normally that’s only a few minutes queue at most) so no issues assuming that your inbound is more or less on time. Lots more information in the excellent ‘JNB master thread’ in the Africa destination forum...
Nov 9, 2019, 3:12 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Epsom, Surrey
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 104
The idea was to pop up to LVI for the falls, before heading over to Kruger.
Alternatively, we could do this at the end, but that would mean overnighting in JNB before flying home.
Time to research what is near Jo'Burg
Nov 9, 2019, 3:54 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Charlottesville, Va. USA
Posts: 1,752
I am flying lhr/jnb/wdk. The last leg is on comair. I am assuming our bags will be checked through to wdk? Therefore we will stay in the int. section of jnb?
Last edited by jmj9905; Nov 10, 2019 at 3:06 pm
Nov 9, 2019, 4:25 pm
#8
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: UK - the nearest airport is named after a motorway !
Posts: 4,234
If on one ticket LHR-jnb-wdk then yes, bags checked through and an easy transit. Separate tickets would mean clearing immigration, collecting bags and rechecking which is a pain (allegedly, I’ve never checked bags to jnb). Again, all the info you could ever want or need about travelling to/from/through jnb is in the excellent master thread in the Africa forum...
Nov 9, 2019, 10:57 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,578
Assuming flights are on time, then this is perfectly doable. If you are concerned about missing the connection, have a look at how much walk up fares are, should give you an indication of what risk you are taking. There also tends to be last minute avios availability on Comair.
I wouldn't spend more time in Joburg than absolutely necessary,
I wouldn't spend more time in Joburg than absolutely necessary,
Nov 9, 2019, 11:12 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 4,160
The primary issue with LVI is that there is only one flight a day on Comair (it’s not operated by Kulula btw), I believe only one a day on SAA as well, which IIRC is before the BA one. So if you miss the “connection” you’re overnighting in JNB anyway
i did this exact “connection” on two separate tickets a few months back, and it was just fine. However, I was quite nervous and of course “I did it and it was fine” is no guarantee of success
you could check and see if any of the VFA flight give you any more time to connect- the KAZA univisa covers you for both countries and the transfer across the border is OK if a little complex, definitely an experience
i did this exact “connection” on two separate tickets a few months back, and it was just fine. However, I was quite nervous and of course “I did it and it was fine” is no guarantee of success
you could check and see if any of the VFA flight give you any more time to connect- the KAZA univisa covers you for both countries and the transfer across the border is OK if a little complex, definitely an experience
Nov 10, 2019, 9:02 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,021
The primary issue with LVI is that there is only one flight a day on Comair (it’s not operated by Kulula btw), I believe only one a day on SAA as well, which IIRC is before the BA one. So if you miss the “connection” you’re overnighting in JNB anyway
I've done this and asked about the risks on here, was told that they will put you on the SAA flight if the Comair one is delayed or cancelled. It often timetables to run half an hour earlier, but baring the unforeseen, the airport should know in the morning if one or other is cancelled. VFA is the back up option, if you end up doing this one, pay for the hotel to organise the transfer as there is a lot of paperwork and waiting around crossing the borders and your guide will be adept at dodging the street sellers.
Nov 10, 2019, 10:59 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,578
Nov 10, 2019, 11:50 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TLS/London
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 442
I did it earlier this year doing LHR-JNB-WDH hand baggage only. I was in F on the flight to JNB so off quickly and as I remember it was quite a schlep to the transit desks - you go past the immigration hall and go down a long corridor where there were only a couple of desks open early in the morning - they check your passport and onward connection details then let you through into a transit hall with airline transit desks. If you have a boarding pass you can then leave the hall and then you go upstairs to the security channels before entering the departure area. It took me about 30 minutes from leaving the London flight to entering the SLOW lounge.