SAA lounge at JNB - finished yet?
May 15, 2009, 6:16 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Reading, UK
Programs: BA Silver, IHG Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 666
SAA lounge at JNB - finished yet?
I've read some reviews on Skytrax that the SAA lounge at JNB is currently in refurb and there is a very poor alternative laid on.
Does anyone have info on this? I'll be spending a few hours in there on the 29th May (my birthday!) and don't want to be slumming it!
Does anyone have info on this? I'll be spending a few hours in there on the 29th May (my birthday!) and don't want to be slumming it!
May 23, 2009, 11:23 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 929
As of 23 May, the new Byobab (sp?) lounge in the international departure area (for business and *G) is still under construction. I asked the women at the desk when they expected the new lounge to be opened; they looked at each other and laughed. You need to turn left off the escalator and head towards the VA lounge but keep walking. Seems like your walking to nowhere (which you kind of are). Hope the new lounge will be finished by the 29th.
May 24, 2009, 2:25 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 929
May 30, 2009, 2:19 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Reading, UK
Programs: BA Silver, IHG Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 666
Still unfinished last night, and the temporary lounge was rammed to the point that people were standing.
This was unacceptable, so I blagged my way in to the First class lounge
This was unacceptable, so I blagged my way in to the First class lounge
Jun 9, 2009, 11:43 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Johannesburg
Programs: QRPC Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, IHg Diamond Amb, Sixt Diamond, Avis Pres, AmexCenturion
Posts: 488
Pax with business class tickets should be offered First class lounge, airfares are way to high to be forced to use such a disgusting lounge.
Voyager and alliance members travelling in Y should receive other compensation whilst this so called temp lounge is in use, that will force SAA to get their rears into gear.
Voyager and alliance members travelling in Y should receive other compensation whilst this so called temp lounge is in use, that will force SAA to get their rears into gear.
Jun 9, 2009, 11:24 pm
#11
Ambassador, Emirates
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LGW / AMS / CPT
Programs: SA KL BA EK
Posts: 4,269
I read the Sawubona (SA in-flight magazine) yesterday. In it, acting CEO Chris Smyth acknowldeges that the current Int lounge at JNB is substandard and asks passengers to have 'a few more months' (IIRC) patience (and assures us that the wait will be worth it). So it seems sure that on 13 June you will still be out of luck.
Jun 10, 2009, 3:01 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Norway
Programs: EBG
Posts: 23
I read the Sawubona (SA in-flight magazine) yesterday. In it, acting CEO Chris Smyth acknowldeges that the current Int lounge at JNB is substandard and asks passengers to have 'a few more months' (IIRC) patience (and assures us that the wait will be worth it). So it seems sure that on 13 June you will still be out of luck.
Not good, but thanks for your update. Agree with SAWorldVoyager - they should have a better offer than a substandard lounge in a hub like this.
Jun 17, 2009, 4:07 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Johannesburg
Programs: QRPC Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, IHg Diamond Amb, Sixt Diamond, Avis Pres, AmexCenturion
Posts: 488
The latest news I got on 12 June when I visited the lounge was that the new one will only open end August.
Its shameful that in JNB, BA, Emirates, Virgin, Air France, Swissair have swanky new lounges and the home carrier has this "room" with lousy old chairs, thats cramped and crowded even during off peak times.
The arrivals lounge at the Inter Continental is closed too, with no alternatives.
Most annoying.
Its shameful that in JNB, BA, Emirates, Virgin, Air France, Swissair have swanky new lounges and the home carrier has this "room" with lousy old chairs, thats cramped and crowded even during off peak times.
The arrivals lounge at the Inter Continental is closed too, with no alternatives.
Most annoying.
Jun 21, 2009, 9:05 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DUB-BOS
Programs: various
Posts: 3,689
[QUOTE=SAWorldVoyager;11921276]Its shameful that in JNB, BA, Emirates, Virgin, Air France, Swissair have swanky new lounges and the home carrier has this "room" with lousy old chairs, thats cramped and crowded even during off peak times.
[QUOTE]
Are you sure Swiss have a lounge, their website suggest they use the SAA lounge.
[QUOTE]
Are you sure Swiss have a lounge, their website suggest they use the SAA lounge.
Last edited by soy; Jun 22, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Jun 22, 2009, 1:09 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Reading, UK
Programs: BA Silver, IHG Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 666