Fly SAA
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1k, UA MP
Posts: 36
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?
#4


Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SFO/STS
Programs: UA Gold-1MM, Hhonors Diamond, Marriott/SPG Gold
Posts: 1,094
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!
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!
#5




Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: All Accor Gold, 1865 Voyager, AE E35K, HH Gold,Hyatt, Hrtz Gold, Marriott Gold, NEXUS
Posts: 1,805
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.
#9




Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: All Accor Gold, 1865 Voyager, AE E35K, HH Gold,Hyatt, Hrtz Gold, Marriott Gold, NEXUS
Posts: 1,805
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.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA Plat, MM *G for life, AY Plat, BA Silver
Posts: 10,556
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.





