Avoid SAA at any cost
Feb 29, 2012 | 3:30 am
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: South Africa
Programs: UA Premier, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 18
Roger,
Thank you for your post. I think the most confusing part about SA Express is that it is difficult to say whether you are booked on SAA or SAA Express, both airlines have the same code (“SA”), the only difference is that SAA Express is using four digits for their flights numbers, e.g. SA1234 while SAA flights are mostly triple digits (SA123). I just wanted to let people know so that they can avoid any future misunderstandings.
With regards to your comment on the internet voucher, I think it would be good for SAA staff to start using the words like “thank you”, “please”’, “excuse me” etc.
I am really glad that your experience with SAA was superb, but clearly they aren’t always doing a good job, there are several posts even in this tread that would support this statement. Also, if you try to google “do not fly SAA” you will find lots of interesting info as well. There are several blogs fully devoted to the “do not fly SAA” theme, I guess this is another indicator of clients attitude towards SAA.
Thank you for your post. I think the most confusing part about SA Express is that it is difficult to say whether you are booked on SAA or SAA Express, both airlines have the same code (“SA”), the only difference is that SAA Express is using four digits for their flights numbers, e.g. SA1234 while SAA flights are mostly triple digits (SA123). I just wanted to let people know so that they can avoid any future misunderstandings.
With regards to your comment on the internet voucher, I think it would be good for SAA staff to start using the words like “thank you”, “please”’, “excuse me” etc.
I am really glad that your experience with SAA was superb, but clearly they aren’t always doing a good job, there are several posts even in this tread that would support this statement. Also, if you try to google “do not fly SAA” you will find lots of interesting info as well. There are several blogs fully devoted to the “do not fly SAA” theme, I guess this is another indicator of clients attitude towards SAA.
I've told you a million times, don't exaggerate. 
I don't share your experience. Readily admitting I haven't flown IAD-JNB, my experience with SAA between Europe and SA and internally in SA has been fine.My experience, too.What should they do - allow access to a non-qualifying passenger? I magine the lounge agents are qualified to know who has access which AFAIK for *A Gold means flying with a *A airline.Non-sequitur. You wanted to use the complimentary internet voucher in the lounge as a non-qualifying passenger, couldn't get in but still expected complimentary internet?
It's all very confusing but I don't think this the case.
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Express says:... so a stragic alliance.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Express
It's not part of Star Alliance and its flights are excluded from the *A African Airpass - an old link at http://www.airfares.com.sg/airfares/...canAirpass.htm - see Flight Restrictions.
It's good to highlight the differences between mainline SA and its local SA partners who generally don't offer *A gold benefits such as extra baggage allowance.
As for lounge access, before I had *A Gold I used my Priority Pass card when flying domestically with SA and/or its partners.
I don't share your experience. Readily admitting I haven't flown IAD-JNB, my experience with SAA between Europe and SA and internally in SA has been fine.My experience, too.What should they do - allow access to a non-qualifying passenger? I magine the lounge agents are qualified to know who has access which AFAIK for *A Gold means flying with a *A airline.Non-sequitur. You wanted to use the complimentary internet voucher in the lounge as a non-qualifying passenger, couldn't get in but still expected complimentary internet?
It's all very confusing but I don't think this the case.
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Express says:... so a stragic alliance.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Express
It's not part of Star Alliance and its flights are excluded from the *A African Airpass - an old link at http://www.airfares.com.sg/airfares/...canAirpass.htm - see Flight Restrictions.
It's good to highlight the differences between mainline SA and its local SA partners who generally don't offer *A gold benefits such as extra baggage allowance.
As for lounge access, before I had *A Gold I used my Priority Pass card when flying domestically with SA and/or its partners.
Mar 3, 2012 | 2:38 pm
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,190
What should they do - allow access to a non-qualifying passenger? I magine the lounge agents are qualified to know who has access which AFAIK for *A Gold means flying with a *A airline.Non-sequitur. You wanted to use the complimentary internet voucher in the lounge as a non-qualifying passenger, couldn't get in but still expected complimentary internet?
It's all very confusing but I don't think this the case.
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Express says:... so a stragic alliance.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Express
It's not part of Star Alliance and its flights are excluded from the *A African Airpass - an old link at http://www.airfares.com.sg/airfares/...canAirpass.htm - see Flight Restrictions.
It's good to highlight the differences between mainline SA and its local SA partners who generally don't offer *A gold benefits such as extra baggage allowance.
As for lounge access, before I had *A Gold I used my Priority Pass card when flying domestically with SA and/or its partners.
It's all very confusing but I don't think this the case.
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Express says:... so a stragic alliance.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Express
It's not part of Star Alliance and its flights are excluded from the *A African Airpass - an old link at http://www.airfares.com.sg/airfares/...canAirpass.htm - see Flight Restrictions.
It's good to highlight the differences between mainline SA and its local SA partners who generally don't offer *A gold benefits such as extra baggage allowance.
As for lounge access, before I had *A Gold I used my Priority Pass card when flying domestically with SA and/or its partners.
Curious. I would read the status of SAExpress as being the same as UAExpress or ACExpress or any of the dozens of regional carriers that fly for the mainline STAR carriers. While none of these regional carriers are STAR members, when contracted to fly routes on behalf of STAR members they are recognized in the same fashion as their contracting carrier. In fact, Aeroplan clearly recognizes SAX flights for mileage accumulation, so I would be sure other STAR programs do so too:
AE "All Scheduled flights operated by South African Airways, South African Airlink and South African Express are eligible"
As long as the flight is booked as a SAA flight, all STARGold benefits should be extended.
Last edited by Shareholder; Mar 3, 2012 at 2:52 pm
Apr 9, 2012 | 9:41 am
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: South Africa
Programs: UA Premier, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 18
Well, this is not what is going to happen with SAA Express, even if your flight is booked as SA flight, you aren't going to get any *A beneftis if it is operated by SAA Express. Pay attention to the flight #, all SA oerated flights have only 3 didgits (e.g. SA123), while SA Express flights will have four (e.g. SA1234 format)
Curious. I would read the status of SAExpress as being the same as UAExpress or ACExpress or any of the dozens of regional carriers that fly for the mainline STAR carriers. While none of these regional carriers are STAR members, when contracted to fly routes on behalf of STAR members they are recognized in the same fashion as their contracting carrier. In fact, Aeroplan clearly recognizes SAX flights for mileage accumulation, so I would be sure other STAR programs do so too:
AE "All Scheduled flights operated by South African Airways, South African Airlink and South African Express are eligible"
As long as the flight is booked as a SAA flight, all STARGold benefits should be extended.
AE "All Scheduled flights operated by South African Airways, South African Airlink and South African Express are eligible"
As long as the flight is booked as a SAA flight, all STARGold benefits should be extended.
Apr 9, 2012 | 9:49 am
#34
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: UA1K .455 MM, Hilton and Marriott Gold
Posts: 397
http://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/mark...spx?ItemId=316
Apr 9, 2012 | 3:50 pm
#35
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: J15 M1
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL (OWE), SA LifePlat (*G), BD Gold to the end, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,168
I flew on the refurbished Iberia 340 in business (ZS-SXG) and it was a perfectly acceptable standard. Seats aren't quite horizontal but I had a great sleep between Perth and Johannesburg. Economy now has seat back screens so little discernable difference between these two aircraft and the rest of the fleet. If I refused to fly every airline that had crumbs on the trays, I'd have very limited travel options so moral of the story is we all have our preferences and SAA is one of the airlines I'm happy to fly.
Apr 27, 2012 | 10:48 am
#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: South Africa
Programs: UA Premier, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 18
This is not only about how they look inside, these refurbished aircrafts also have thechnical issues, on Feb 12-13, SAA208 (refurbished Iberia 340) was cancelled for two days in the row. I heard that the windshield got cracked on the way from JNB to Dakar, the crew didn’t want to proceed to JNB, but got pushed by HQ, by the time the flight arrived to IAD, the windshield was shattered. They ordered a replacement from SA which came next day, but didn’t fit because the Iberia’s 340 are older models, so that had to contact the Airbus that provided the right windshield. I can’t guarantee this is all truth, but heard it from SA staff.
I flew on the refurbished Iberia 340 in business (ZS-SXG) and it was a perfectly acceptable standard. Seats aren't quite horizontal but I had a great sleep between Perth and Johannesburg. Economy now has seat back screens so little discernable difference between these two aircraft and the rest of the fleet. If I refused to fly every airline that had crumbs on the trays, I'd have very limited travel options so moral of the story is we all have our preferences and SAA is one of the airlines I'm happy to fly.
Apr 30, 2012 | 7:37 pm
#37
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 697
I flew on the refurbished Iberia 340 in business (ZS-SXG) and it was a perfectly acceptable standard. Seats aren't quite horizontal but I had a great sleep between Perth and Johannesburg. Economy now has seat back screens so little discernable difference between these two aircraft and the rest of the fleet. If I refused to fly every airline that had crumbs on the trays, I'd have very limited travel options so moral of the story is we all have our preferences and SAA is one of the airlines I'm happy to fly.
May 4, 2012 | 1:23 pm
#38
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: South Africa
Programs: UA Premier, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 18
I think they replaced all the seats and interiors of the refurbished Iberia and other SA airplanes are the same, including the seat pitch. The seta maps are a bit different though.
May 26, 2012 | 1:57 pm
#39
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 584
Dear sbm12,
Thank you for your post, yes you are correct, they operate A340 on this route, including the old plane that SAA got from Iberia.
It looks like SAA208 was cancelled three days in the row: on February 12, 13 and 14. I understand that sometimes airplanes can have technical issues, but taking three days to replace a windshield!? Is it normal?
On February 13, the gate staff at IAD called transit police a few times when some people started asking questions about compensation, reasons for the delay, etc. One passenger almost got arrested for simply filming the heated discussion on his mobile phone!!! There were passengers there (some with small kids) from the Feb 12 SAA208 flight and for them this was a second cancellation. The food vouchers that we got from SAA (US$25 for dinner and US$15 for breakfast) were good for food only, but not for beverages.
Thank you for your post, yes you are correct, they operate A340 on this route, including the old plane that SAA got from Iberia.
It looks like SAA208 was cancelled three days in the row: on February 12, 13 and 14. I understand that sometimes airplanes can have technical issues, but taking three days to replace a windshield!? Is it normal?
On February 13, the gate staff at IAD called transit police a few times when some people started asking questions about compensation, reasons for the delay, etc. One passenger almost got arrested for simply filming the heated discussion on his mobile phone!!! There were passengers there (some with small kids) from the Feb 12 SAA208 flight and for them this was a second cancellation. The food vouchers that we got from SAA (US$25 for dinner and US$15 for breakfast) were good for food only, but not for beverages.