Adam1222

i

They announced the routes a while back: GRU, LOS, DAK/IAD, MUC
http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/268594/south-african-outlines-a330-300-operations-from-dec-2016/

jbalmuth

I was looking to reserve the window bulkhead in the rear J cabin of the new 330 - 333, but need assistance in determining whether they are 8A and 8K, or 9A and 9K. Anyone who has travelled in the new plane ---- advise would be greatly appreciated!

Cheetah_SA

Looking at the pictures posted below you can see a seat number in row 12. Counting back to the bulkhead would make that row 9.

jbalmuth

Many thanks!

I flew last night in 9K (SA223 from GRU -JNB) the bulkhead in the 2nd cabin, and it had a near perfect amount of legroom insofar as my legs had no restrictions either in depth or laterally. The cabin was also quite cool, which made use of the duvet quite pleasant.

There is, however, an unexpected downside to this seat, an acoustical aberration as far as I can tell. There are six metal galley cabinets in front of the seat but before the light/noise blocking curtain, and the normal use of these cabinets by the crew causes a loud BAM each time they are shut. The crew made use of the cabinets throughout the flight, and neither earplugs nor noise suppressing earphones were at all successful in diminishing the BAM. My wife, in 10K was unaware/unaffected by what sounded in 9K to be slamming doors --- it was really just one of those acoustical oddities that pops up every so often in newly designed environments.

The return flight in a few weeks is a day flight; we'll try the front cabin for that one.

jetboys360

I will be flying on the new Girl in December from Munich to JNB. Believe All of US this will appreciate it on here if you do a trip report with loads of pics on the new A330-300 when trying the front cabin... my current seat is 4A!

annezbillb

Looks like Dulles is getting the A333 for the trip to JNB via Accra Ghana. Very excited as the 343 they used previously is showing its age. Wish SAA would order another 5 or 10 of these and retire the 343 and 346......4 engines just doesn't make it anymore!

evanb

JNB-ACC-IAD is nearly exclusively A346 and A332 at the moment. But yes, it will switch to A333 in a few months.

JNB-DKR-IAD is exclusively A332 (occasional A343), and will remain A332 for the foreseeable future.

CurbedEnthusiasm

What's the Y pitch on the A333?

Seat Guru only has the plan for the A332, and Y has a tight 31-32" pitch.

annezbillb

I contacted them about the lack of a333 seat maps on SAA, they say it takes weeks to add new aircraft. Even the SAA site does not make reference to the new planes. Seems odd.

jetboys360

I was in Y between Cape Town and JNB on the A333 and was very impressed with the seats - material, comfort and pitch of seat, pitch was not tight. seats 53 H &K

FlyPI

The IAD-DKR-JNB route will be operating 3 times / week with the new A330-300 aircraft, starting February 3, 2017 and will operate 4 times / week on the IAD-ACC-JNB route, starting June 3, 2017. So by June 2017, the A330-300 will be operating daily on the IAD routes.

evanb

It's scheduled as such, but not sure we'll see the A330-300 on JNB-DKR-IAD.

cur

ugh why are they flying this on a short haul domestic route instead of the older planes? or is this brand new equipment and they want to get some hours on to wrinkle out the mechanical kinks

evanb

I'm not sure what you mean, but the entire long-haul fleet rotate through JNB-CPT-JNB, JNB-LAD-JNB and JNB-MRU-JNB during the daytime for various reasons (cargo loads, passenger loads and aircraft utilization). Since most SAA long haul arrivals are early morning (except IAD and some GRU flights) and almost all long haul departures in the evening (except GRU, LOS and some ACC) there are plenty of aircraft that would otherwise just sit on the ground at JNB during the day. On any given day, SAA would have up to 12 widebody aircraft on the ground at JNB, with up to 7 then utilized on JNB-CPT-JNB, JNB-LAD-JNB and JNB-MRU-JNB.

evanb

They currently have three A330-300s. They are currently flying daily JNB-LOS-JNB, daily JNB-GRU-JNB and the additional 3x weekly JNB-GRU-JNB. That is pretty good utilization. That they are getting some shorthaul JNB-CPT-JNB as well is bonus.