Weekend in Johannesburg via American and British Airways "First Class”
Apr 10, 2022, 12:05 pm
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,600
Amazing Dinner at Marble Restaurant
When we decided to visit Johannesburg, our research discovered Marble, a wonderful restaurant in suburban Rosebank, just 7 minutes from our hotel.
We booked a chef's counter table which is always fun.
Outstanding bread with butter and dip.
Great view of the action.
We couldn't decide on starters so we ordere most of them. LOL.
Marble Snails... wood-fired oven, tomato and garlic stew, herb butter, mozzarella and gruyčre. Fabulous.
Marble "Avo Ritz". Coal-fired prawns, avocado, prawn mayo and chives. Simply divine.
Octopus... coal-fired with black sesame aioli, green pepper salsa, charred corn and green olives. Outstanding!
Grilled yellowfin tuna... roasted gazpacho dressing, avocado, roasted garlic. Excellent.
For our mains, we shared the Ribeye and Salmon, and an order of Marble Fries.
Amazing Salmon on the coals with béarnaise sauce, asparagus, potato and anchovy baked in cream. OMG!
Coal-fired rib-eye with hassleback potato, Jack Daniels and butter pepper cream, mushrooms, roasted garlic dressing, parmesan. Spectacular.
Despite being stuffed, we could not resist the ice cream sandwich trio...
And the star that made our desserts.
What a fabulous two and a half hours food fest at a great restaurant.
Instagram video...
• Our evening at Marble
Ten minutes later, back at the Four Seasons...
When we decided to visit Johannesburg, our research discovered Marble, a wonderful restaurant in suburban Rosebank, just 7 minutes from our hotel.
We booked a chef's counter table which is always fun.
Outstanding bread with butter and dip.
Great view of the action.
We couldn't decide on starters so we ordere most of them. LOL.
Marble Snails... wood-fired oven, tomato and garlic stew, herb butter, mozzarella and gruyčre. Fabulous.
Marble "Avo Ritz". Coal-fired prawns, avocado, prawn mayo and chives. Simply divine.
Octopus... coal-fired with black sesame aioli, green pepper salsa, charred corn and green olives. Outstanding!
Grilled yellowfin tuna... roasted gazpacho dressing, avocado, roasted garlic. Excellent.
For our mains, we shared the Ribeye and Salmon, and an order of Marble Fries.
Amazing Salmon on the coals with béarnaise sauce, asparagus, potato and anchovy baked in cream. OMG!
Coal-fired rib-eye with hassleback potato, Jack Daniels and butter pepper cream, mushrooms, roasted garlic dressing, parmesan. Spectacular.
Despite being stuffed, we could not resist the ice cream sandwich trio...
And the star that made our desserts.
What a fabulous two and a half hours food fest at a great restaurant.
Instagram video...
• Our evening at Marble
Ten minutes later, back at the Four Seasons...
Apr 10, 2022, 12:08 pm
#77
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,600
Our Day in Joburg
Our very reasonable Four Seasons room rates including complimentary breakfast at Flames. Beautiful late summer morning on the terrace.
We met our hotel arranged guide/driver Thomas down at the main building just after 9am.
I video'd most of the Soweto tour so I don't have a lot of high quality pics. Sorry for some of the screen shot from video pics. The full Soweto video is available on my Instagram Soweto link.
The iconic Soweto towers, now used as massive billboards and for bungee jumping.
Nelson Mandela's one time Soweto home.
Next stop was back to Johannesburg and Constitution Hill, a living museum that tells the story of South Africa’s journey to democracy. The site is a former prison and military fort that bears testament to South Africa’s turbulent past and, today, is home to the country’s Constitutional Court, which endorses the rights of all citizens.
From https://www.constitutionhill.org.za ... There is perhaps no other site of incarceration in South Africa that imprisoned the sheer number of world-renowned men and women as those held within the walls of Constitution Hill’s Old Fort, Women's Jail and Number Four. Nelson Mandela. Mahatma Gandhi. Joe Slovo. Albertina Sisulu. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Fatima Meer. They all served time here, but the precinct also confined tens of thousands of ordinary people during its 100-year history. They were men and women of all races, creeds, ages and political agendas; children too, the everyman and the elite. In this way, the history of every South African lives here.
Number Four Prison, a sobering reminder of the dark years of apartheid.
Tributes to Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Ghandi.
Mandela's cell in The Old Fort.
With an amazing collection of Mandela's letters and writings.
Instagram videos of our time at Constitution Hill...
• Constitution Hill and Number Four
• Constitution Hill, Tribute to Mandela and Ghandi and The Old Fort
And one of the best jugglers anywhere...
• Amazing Joburg street juggler
We headed back to the hotel prior to our 1pm lunch reservation at Qunu at the Saxon Hotel, a beautiful secluded hotel in tony Sandhurst.
Elegant Qunu, voted Best Hotel Restaurant in Africa this past year.
FIrst time I've seen baggie for masks.
Gazpacho.
Salmon...
Chicken
Amazing desserts.
Wonderful food with excellent food service.
Instagram videos of The Saxon and Lunch at Qunu...
•The Saxon Hotel
• Qunu at The Saxon
Our very reasonable Four Seasons room rates including complimentary breakfast at Flames. Beautiful late summer morning on the terrace.
We met our hotel arranged guide/driver Thomas down at the main building just after 9am.
I video'd most of the Soweto tour so I don't have a lot of high quality pics. Sorry for some of the screen shot from video pics. The full Soweto video is available on my Instagram Soweto link.
The iconic Soweto towers, now used as massive billboards and for bungee jumping.
Nelson Mandela's one time Soweto home.
Next stop was back to Johannesburg and Constitution Hill, a living museum that tells the story of South Africa’s journey to democracy. The site is a former prison and military fort that bears testament to South Africa’s turbulent past and, today, is home to the country’s Constitutional Court, which endorses the rights of all citizens.
From https://www.constitutionhill.org.za ... There is perhaps no other site of incarceration in South Africa that imprisoned the sheer number of world-renowned men and women as those held within the walls of Constitution Hill’s Old Fort, Women's Jail and Number Four. Nelson Mandela. Mahatma Gandhi. Joe Slovo. Albertina Sisulu. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Fatima Meer. They all served time here, but the precinct also confined tens of thousands of ordinary people during its 100-year history. They were men and women of all races, creeds, ages and political agendas; children too, the everyman and the elite. In this way, the history of every South African lives here.
Number Four Prison, a sobering reminder of the dark years of apartheid.
Tributes to Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Ghandi.
Mandela's cell in The Old Fort.
With an amazing collection of Mandela's letters and writings.
Instagram videos of our time at Constitution Hill...
• Constitution Hill and Number Four
• Constitution Hill, Tribute to Mandela and Ghandi and The Old Fort
And one of the best jugglers anywhere...
• Amazing Joburg street juggler
We headed back to the hotel prior to our 1pm lunch reservation at Qunu at the Saxon Hotel, a beautiful secluded hotel in tony Sandhurst.
Elegant Qunu, voted Best Hotel Restaurant in Africa this past year.
FIrst time I've seen baggie for masks.
Gazpacho.
Salmon...
Chicken
Amazing desserts.
Wonderful food with excellent food service.
Instagram videos of The Saxon and Lunch at Qunu...
•The Saxon Hotel
• Qunu at The Saxon
Apr 10, 2022, 12:15 pm
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,600
Thanks nequine. Prices were ridiculously cheap compared to big city Europe or North America prices. Our entire Marble meal with wine and 30% tip was just US$190. The Qunu lunch was around US$150 including tax and tip.
Apr 10, 2022, 12:17 pm
#80
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,600
BA A380 First Class back to London Heathrow
After lunch, we returned to the Four Seasons to relax for a couple of hours before heading off to the airport. Earlier in the day, we had both used our BinaxNow test kits with the live Navica app and received our still-mandatory test results in less than 20 minutes from start to finish. The BinaxNow/Navica app a great way to meet the stupid US testing rules for return from the comfort of your hotel room.
We went with the $28 Uber Black option vs. the hotel arranged $125 option. After two perfect weather days, it sure looks like we are leaving at the right time.
Miserable conditions.
Thirty minutes later, we arrived at JNB and another 10 minutes later after two more doc checks, we were next in line for First Class check-in.
With no priority lane, security was another 15 minutes, and then 5 minutes for passport control.
Another five minutes later, we're at the BA Lounge.
Large and boring Business Class lounge...
But fortunately with a separate and quiet First Class room.
Menu options with food and drink delivered to your table. We were both still full from lunch so neither or us sampled anything from the menu.
My G&T and chips.
At around T-60, we headed out for our gate. After yet another doc check, we're in the gate area waiting to board.
British Airways BA 54
Johannesburg JNB to London LHR
A380-800
9:15pm-7:15am +1
March 14, 2022
First Class Suite 1A
Yet another pathetic BA First Class boarding experience as we waiting for handicapped, then dozens of families with small children, and then finally First Class. Not that it meant anything as we waiting 10 minutes in the jet bridge before we were all allowed to board. This would never happen with Air France La Premičre.
Ahhh, finally on board. A380 pics from our earlier flight.
Another excellent BA crew providing stellar service again tonight.
Salmon and beet starter.
Beef was excellent, despite being well done again.
After dinner and a movie, I slept for another solid 6 hours.
Again, I was really impressed by the service in BA First. Wonderful cabin crew providing stellar service. It's a shame BA doesn't give them more to work with, and simply falls apart once you arrive at the gate, where the abysmal LHR ground experience is enough to make a First Class passenger avoid BA altogether.
Instagram videos of The BA Lounge at JNB and our BA First A380 flight to London...
•British Airways JNB Check-in and the BA Lounge
• British Airways 380 First Class to London
After lunch, we returned to the Four Seasons to relax for a couple of hours before heading off to the airport. Earlier in the day, we had both used our BinaxNow test kits with the live Navica app and received our still-mandatory test results in less than 20 minutes from start to finish. The BinaxNow/Navica app a great way to meet the stupid US testing rules for return from the comfort of your hotel room.
We went with the $28 Uber Black option vs. the hotel arranged $125 option. After two perfect weather days, it sure looks like we are leaving at the right time.
Miserable conditions.
Thirty minutes later, we arrived at JNB and another 10 minutes later after two more doc checks, we were next in line for First Class check-in.
With no priority lane, security was another 15 minutes, and then 5 minutes for passport control.
Another five minutes later, we're at the BA Lounge.
Large and boring Business Class lounge...
But fortunately with a separate and quiet First Class room.
Menu options with food and drink delivered to your table. We were both still full from lunch so neither or us sampled anything from the menu.
My G&T and chips.
At around T-60, we headed out for our gate. After yet another doc check, we're in the gate area waiting to board.
British Airways BA 54
Johannesburg JNB to London LHR
A380-800
9:15pm-7:15am +1
March 14, 2022
First Class Suite 1A
Yet another pathetic BA First Class boarding experience as we waiting for handicapped, then dozens of families with small children, and then finally First Class. Not that it meant anything as we waiting 10 minutes in the jet bridge before we were all allowed to board. This would never happen with Air France La Premičre.
Ahhh, finally on board. A380 pics from our earlier flight.
Another excellent BA crew providing stellar service again tonight.
Salmon and beet starter.
Beef was excellent, despite being well done again.
After dinner and a movie, I slept for another solid 6 hours.
Again, I was really impressed by the service in BA First. Wonderful cabin crew providing stellar service. It's a shame BA doesn't give them more to work with, and simply falls apart once you arrive at the gate, where the abysmal LHR ground experience is enough to make a First Class passenger avoid BA altogether.
Instagram videos of The BA Lounge at JNB and our BA First A380 flight to London...
•British Airways JNB Check-in and the BA Lounge
• British Airways 380 First Class to London
Last edited by SFO777; Apr 17, 2022 at 9:40 pm
Apr 12, 2022, 12:36 pm
#81
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 4,028
Hey SFO777 - I’ve read ahead on your site. Think you may have been swapped to a 772 for your flight back to the US - the 77W’s with 8 First seats all have the newest F Suite.
Unless I’ve understood your photo wrong and it was still a 14F 77W
Unless I’ve understood your photo wrong and it was still a 14F 77W
Apr 12, 2022, 1:50 pm
#82
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA Concierge Key, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diam
Posts: 510
Hey SFO777 - I’ve read ahead on your site. Think you may have been swapped to a 772 for your flight back to the US - the 77W’s with 8 First seats all have the newest F Suite.
Unless I’ve understood your photo wrong and it was still a 14F 77W
Unless I’ve understood your photo wrong and it was still a 14F 77W
Apr 12, 2022, 4:26 pm
#83
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,919
From the pictures on sfo777.com, it's definitely the old F (so not the new ones with the doors). Based on BA's insane 777 fleet, this means that you either flew in a (1) 777-200 ("77M") with 8 F seats, (2) 777-200 ("77R") with 14 F seats or (3) 777-300ER ("77G") with 14 F seats. If the picture was taken from row 1, then it looks like it was the 77M.
Apr 12, 2022, 6:55 pm
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,600
Hey SFO777 - I’ve read ahead on your site. Think you may have been swapped to a 772 for your flight back to the US - the 77W’s with 8 First seats all have the newest F Suite. Unless I’ve understood your photo wrong and it was still a 14F 77W
From the pictures on sfo777.com, it's definitely the old F (so not the new ones with the doors). Based on BA's insane 777 fleet, this means that you either flew in a (1) 777-200 ("77M") with 8 F seats, (2) 777-200 ("77R") with 14 F seats or (3) 777-300ER ("77G") with 14 F seats. If the picture was taken from row 1, then it looks like it was the 77M.
Apr 13, 2022, 12:56 am
#85
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 4,028
Apr 13, 2022, 7:23 am
#86
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NYC -- UA 1K; SPG Platinum; HH Diamond.
Posts: 2,919
Definitely 8 seats, two rows of 1-2-1.
LOL. I remember because 2E's colleague came up a few time from J to chat and after one prolonged loud chat-fest, I complained to our FA George who promptly and appropriately kicked said colleague out and back to J.
That was my first (and probably last LOL) experience with a BA 777 but while comfortable, was definitely dated.
LOL. I remember because 2E's colleague came up a few time from J to chat and after one prolonged loud chat-fest, I complained to our FA George who promptly and appropriately kicked said colleague out and back to J.
That was my first (and probably last LOL) experience with a BA 777 but while comfortable, was definitely dated.
Glad you enjoyed the experience. I like BA F (especially the onboard service), recognizing what it is and what it isn’t, and you got a bit unlucky to not have the new F on a flight to JFK.
Apr 17, 2022, 9:31 pm
#87
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,600
Time to put a wrap on this one... sorry for the delay.
Another simply dreadful BA Ground Experience at London Heathrow
After a great BA First Flight from Johannesburg, we are back to reality at one of the worst connecting airports in the world. To add insult to injury, First Class passengers are treated no differently than Basic Economy passengers. While LHR connections require a security check, today's security was a bloody gong show with massive queues and no priority queue. Even with us quasi queue-jumping, this stupidity took nearly an hour including a ridiculous secondary where even acceptable toiletry liquids were walked to another screening area 50 meters away before being returned. That left no time for anything but a shower before we had to take the miserable train back to the B gates.
To B39... a BUS GATE. LOL, but of course. Why should our LHR experience improve today?
London Heathrow LHR to New York JFK
British Airways BA 179
777-200
9:50a-1:55p
11:10a-2:55p
March 15, 2022
First Class Suite 1AThe long, long way to our plane...
Or maybe we're walking to NY today.
Uh-huh.
Stairs...
... and more stairs.
At least it wasn't raining today.
Lovely. Air France and Lufthansa First Class passengers get a private limo ride. BA First Class passengers get crap.
At least we get a nice view of our 777.
Once finally on board, our mood changed with a nice cabin but an even better cabin crew, led by our wonderful FA George.
1A has nice spacious closet big enough for my carry-on.
Although we boarded on time, we sat at the gate for a while but not pushing back until 20 minutes after our departure time. We taxied a bit and then stopped... FOR AN HOUR. While the clueless cockpit crew and BA ops tried to figure out whether we had enough fuel to reach JFK. Say what? At first, we were going to have to go back to a gate but supposedly none were available. Then we were going to go to a remote stand. After an hour of this BS, the captain announced that we did indeed have enough fuel and we were going to taxi for departure. Sheesh.
Once in the air, George provided simply flawless service for 7 hours.
OMG, pink beef on BA. I didn't think that we even possible.
Afternoon snacks...
And tea.
All in all, once in the air and only once in the air, another marvelous BA flight with wonderful service.
And then there the ridiculous gong show at Terminal 7 CBP. With Global Entry, I've never really had any bad experiences anywhere... until today. This CBP group had a real New York attitude. First off, there were no CBP agents at any booths to process our arrival. They started slowly showing up a couple minutes later, from their break or whatever. Despite my Global Entry receipt, there was nowhere for me to go. I was first in line and was finally directed to a booth where the jack-... agent had just turned on his green light. But apparently the green light didn't mean anything as I was yelled at for getting too close to booth. Channelling my inner New Yorker, I yelled back and then was finally waived forward to said jack-... who decided to "work to rule" sitting there doing nothing at one point saying "I don't work during accouncements". Welcome to New York.
More Instagram videos...
• Pathetic BA Ground service at LHR
• BA First Class London to New York JFK
Another simply dreadful BA Ground Experience at London Heathrow
After a great BA First Flight from Johannesburg, we are back to reality at one of the worst connecting airports in the world. To add insult to injury, First Class passengers are treated no differently than Basic Economy passengers. While LHR connections require a security check, today's security was a bloody gong show with massive queues and no priority queue. Even with us quasi queue-jumping, this stupidity took nearly an hour including a ridiculous secondary where even acceptable toiletry liquids were walked to another screening area 50 meters away before being returned. That left no time for anything but a shower before we had to take the miserable train back to the B gates.
To B39... a BUS GATE. LOL, but of course. Why should our LHR experience improve today?
London Heathrow LHR to New York JFK
British Airways BA 179
777-200
9:50a-1:55p
11:10a-2:55p
March 15, 2022
First Class Suite 1AThe long, long way to our plane...
Or maybe we're walking to NY today.
Uh-huh.
Stairs...
... and more stairs.
At least it wasn't raining today.
Lovely. Air France and Lufthansa First Class passengers get a private limo ride. BA First Class passengers get crap.
At least we get a nice view of our 777.
Once finally on board, our mood changed with a nice cabin but an even better cabin crew, led by our wonderful FA George.
1A has nice spacious closet big enough for my carry-on.
Although we boarded on time, we sat at the gate for a while but not pushing back until 20 minutes after our departure time. We taxied a bit and then stopped... FOR AN HOUR. While the clueless cockpit crew and BA ops tried to figure out whether we had enough fuel to reach JFK. Say what? At first, we were going to have to go back to a gate but supposedly none were available. Then we were going to go to a remote stand. After an hour of this BS, the captain announced that we did indeed have enough fuel and we were going to taxi for departure. Sheesh.
Once in the air, George provided simply flawless service for 7 hours.
OMG, pink beef on BA. I didn't think that we even possible.
Afternoon snacks...
And tea.
All in all, once in the air and only once in the air, another marvelous BA flight with wonderful service.
And then there the ridiculous gong show at Terminal 7 CBP. With Global Entry, I've never really had any bad experiences anywhere... until today. This CBP group had a real New York attitude. First off, there were no CBP agents at any booths to process our arrival. They started slowly showing up a couple minutes later, from their break or whatever. Despite my Global Entry receipt, there was nowhere for me to go. I was first in line and was finally directed to a booth where the jack-... agent had just turned on his green light. But apparently the green light didn't mean anything as I was yelled at for getting too close to booth. Channelling my inner New Yorker, I yelled back and then was finally waived forward to said jack-... who decided to "work to rule" sitting there doing nothing at one point saying "I don't work during accouncements". Welcome to New York.
More Instagram videos...
• Pathetic BA Ground service at LHR
• BA First Class London to New York JFK
Apr 17, 2022, 9:36 pm
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,600
Back home to Denver
After a quick 30 minute Uber ride from JFK, I was back at LaGuardia's attractive new Terminal B. Love the art in the main lobby...
Instagram video of LaGuardia's new Terminal B.
First stop was the new Amex Centurion Lounge. Sorry for the lack of pics as I was video and forgot to take pics most of the time.
Instagram video of the Centurion Lounge.
Next up, I stopped by the impressive new United Club.
Instagram video of the United Club.
And then a quick stop at the new rather sterile and boring Maple Leaf Lounge.
Instagram video of the Maple Leaf Lounge.
Then off to the gate for departure.
New York LaGuardia to Denver
United UA 1488
737-900
6:00p-7:45p
March 15, 2022
What a gorgeous evening to be flying.
Cool instagram video of our sunset departure
Once in the air, same old, same old meal choices.
And today with the best in United utensils. LOL. Hopefully a catering mistake...
Instagram video of the tonight's United flight.
Thanks for following along on this wonderful quick trip to South Africa.
Back home, my order from Eli's had arrived. Just about the only good part of United catering.
After a quick 30 minute Uber ride from JFK, I was back at LaGuardia's attractive new Terminal B. Love the art in the main lobby...
Instagram video of LaGuardia's new Terminal B.
First stop was the new Amex Centurion Lounge. Sorry for the lack of pics as I was video and forgot to take pics most of the time.
Instagram video of the Centurion Lounge.
Next up, I stopped by the impressive new United Club.
Instagram video of the United Club.
And then a quick stop at the new rather sterile and boring Maple Leaf Lounge.
Instagram video of the Maple Leaf Lounge.
Then off to the gate for departure.
New York LaGuardia to Denver
United UA 1488
737-900
6:00p-7:45p
March 15, 2022
What a gorgeous evening to be flying.
Cool instagram video of our sunset departure
Once in the air, same old, same old meal choices.
And today with the best in United utensils. LOL. Hopefully a catering mistake...
Instagram video of the tonight's United flight.
Thanks for following along on this wonderful quick trip to South Africa.
Back home, my order from Eli's had arrived. Just about the only good part of United catering.
Last edited by SFO777; Apr 17, 2022 at 9:43 pm
Apr 18, 2022, 8:04 am
#90
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Athens, Roscoff, Helsinki, Kerry or Tromso
Posts: 446
Great report but to me it encapsulates the BA experience perfectly. If you get a good crew then the flight will be great but the rest of the experience will be utter cr@p. You certainly don't always get a good crew.