itsme

Is SAA a going enterprise in one form or another these days. UA MP gave me an 800- number for them but gets only a recording. There is an SAA website, but can't use it to book a flight from HDS to JBG or CTN. So like the Monty Python parrot, are they really dead or just feigning death? Are Cemair and Airlink reliable carriers for travel within SA?

I was looking for one ticket to take us from HDS after a safari to hook up with flight back home to States but now think that might be inadvisable.

cheltzel

It is possible to get a ticket issued by UA that includes flights by either SA (South African) or 4Z (Airlink). If you get a single ticket, issued by UA (ticket number starts with 016-) you should be able to get your bags checked through to your final destination in the US. I have never done this myself so I would allow enough time to claim my bags and get in the check-in lines at the UA counter at JNB/CPT.

SA is still very much on life support (meaning getting ZA government subsidies). Any interruption with that cash flow could (or would?) cause an instant shutdown of their operations. SA never flew to any of the airports around the Kruger. Most or all these flights were operated by 4Z and there was a codeshare agreement with SA.

For my money 4Z is the most reliable carrier in ZA at the moment. But I would recommend looking in to some form of trip insurance that would reimburse you in the case of a last minute cancellation.

ZSTWHK

I did CPT-JNB last month on SAA on an A330 in Y. Service is much worse that what it was before and they really are in bad shape. Food was good though but that’s about all I can say.

I think 4Z is more reliable. And from what I heard from my friends (I’ve been out of the country for a while) Lift is not a bad option either. I don’t think its that bad that they’ll get cancelled anytime, but don’t get your hopes up too high.

itsme

Thanks. Now, a stupid question: how can a country of South Africa's size and economic consequence function without reliable internal airlines? (They have reliable external air service by foreign carriers like UA, Delta, LH, BA, etc., right?) Airlink (and Cemair?) are reasonable choices for travel within South Africa, better than Spirit here in the US?

wijibintheair

South Africa has several reliable airlines. As others have mentioned Airlink is generally very good and very reliable. FlySafair is the largest carrier by passenger numbers and again very reliable (they offer around 20 flights a day between Johannesburg and Cape Town) - more along the South West style than a legacy carrier. Lift is also not bad (but I personally find the legroom too tight). I also enjoy CemAir because the older style leather padded seats I find give more room. I think suggesting that there is no reliable internal carrier in South Africa is a little unfair, just because there is no "main national carrier" - just like in the US there isn't a single national carrier. There are very frequent flights available on the JNB-CPT route and on the JNB-DUR route - linking Johannesburg to the country's second and third largest cities.

In your instance Hoedspruit services are limited and largely there to service the safari industry with agriculture and mining in the mix. However, it really is a rather small airport (the actual commercial airport side not the military side) with limited connections aligned to the demand.

jsnydcsa

It's not a stupid question. The answer is. Stupid. Full stop.