Fly SAA
 

Has anyone flown SAA rom IAD to JNB/CPT? Flying bus class in Sept and I hear good things. Wish you could fly direct to CPT but need to go BA and the price is crazy high compared with just about everybody. Anybody have good or bad things to say about SAA?

Biz seats are pretty good. Wines are, too. Food is OK.

SAA
 

Thanks, they seem to get good reviews everywhere.

I have flown JNB-IAH in Y, which I think is much better thatn UA E+ and MUC-JNB in J which was business/first on SAA and it was much better than international J on UA/LX/LH ( I was on a J award ticket so SAA leg was in business/first). Service was very good, food was good, lay flat bed was made up nicely with a matress pad, duvet and big pillow Tons of entertainment.

Flown both Y and J on SAA intra-africa (JNB-CPT, JNB-VFA, JNB-POL, ect...) and I am always surprised at a meal service even on a very short flight. J on JNB-CPT surprised me by serving tea in an actual tea cup and saucer, which I think is nice.

I am sure SAA long haul in J will be a pleasant trip for you. Enjoy!

I have flown IAD JNB,and JFK JNB in J and it has always been very pleasant. I would recommend it. Good food and good service and lots of room in the cabin. Also did FRA JNB in LH J and I much preferred SA.

I always enjoy in SAA. The seats are great and so is the service and food. ENJOY

Flying SAA long haul on Wednesday in J and will let you know.

Thanks
 

Thanks to all for the great info. I wish a US domestic airline got these kind of reviews!

It's not even close! The one negative I have heard (on another thread somewhere in FT) is that if one of their planes has mechanical problems it can be a bit of a nightmare. Long waits for parts. Hard to get rebooked, etc. - but it hasn't happened to me.

Were any of the flights mentioned above Aeroplan rewards? Does anyone know how long in advance that SAA released it's rewards?

I think this should really be in the SAA forum rather than here. Having said that, I did once fly SAA in Business Class on MP miles and got the booking about 2 months in advance for flights between Christmas and New Year. could not get the return on SAA and ended up on EgyptAir, which is another story altogether.

Their on board product/service is great. If there are any irrop (esp in JNB) it is the biggest nightmare of my life. They are horrible outside the box.