sparkyflyer - 23/11/2011 09:54 GMT
Seeking advice!
I may be travelling to Kigali early next year for business, with I hope a break after to enjoy this fascinating country.
BA do not fly there direct, which is a pity as a 767 would be fine, even with a stop on the way, and the main alternatives seem to be KLM via Amsterdam on a A330 or Brussels Airlines via BRU also on a A330.
Other options include Kenya Airways, Addis Ababa and soon Qatar Airways, but KQ and SN seem to be the easiest options.
What do you think I should choose? I know the KLM product, which I like, but the Brussels Airlines website is awful - it is like one of a no frills carrier with no details of the inflight product. I like to know what to expect so I can make my choice. Is the airline reasonable on inflight service? Their partner airlines LH & LX both have super sites so it is a shame they do not have this yet.
BA as I said would be fine, and perhaps they will consider this route if/when the BMI takeover happens, to capture the business, NGO and tourist traffic that I hear KLM does very well on.
Maybe BA could have a triangle or tag to EBB, as a stop to perhaps Mombasa or Zanzibar, or an extension to Addis Ababa which BMI has a route to.
But intil then, what do you experts out there suggest, KLM or Brussels Airlines to Kigali, or is there another ideal option?
Hello Sparkflyer,
You will find the service on Brussels Airlines very similar to that on KLM. The A330's used by the Belgian carrier have angled flat seats not dissimilar to those used on KLM but their in flight entertainment is not quite as good. the food and service are also very similar.
Unfortunately, therefore, it is not an easy choice as i would say that you would have a similar experience whichever of the two carriers you use.
I hope that this helps a little but if you have any more specific questions then please do not hesitate to ask.
Safe travels everyone,
Jonathan
travelworld - 23/11/2011 12:26 GMT
I've flown th eroute twice, once via Entebbe with BA and then a Rwandair connection to Kigali, the second on BA to Nairobi with a KQ flight to Kigali. That was much more preferable to either of your choices. NB- Enteebe is a much, much nicer airport than Nairobi.
I assume that Travelworld is a Londoner as the BA route certainly is not the best option if starting from elsewhere in the UK, where direct connections to Amsterdam/ Brussels plus a direct flight to Kigali wins out every time. I have travelled KLM on the route - outbound is non-stop from Amsterdam while the return is via Entebbe.
travelworld - 23/11/2011 15:15 GMT
TominScotland- you are right!
Rwanda is a wonderful country, safe, friendly, easy to get around and clean. Nairobi airport is best avoided.
If I had the choice and the connections were OK I would chose Qatar without a doubt even though longer.
dutchyankee - 24/11/2011 11:57 GMT
I live in Belgium and Holland, and whilst I rarely fly Brussels Airlines, and avoid KLM like the plague, I can say that Brussels Airlines has a super reputation on their African routes, their one route network that is actually profitable for them, and many of the routes were pioneered by their predecessor Sabena. Rwanda along with Burundi and of course DRC are key destination countries for SN. I would therefore suggest SN over KL, and the horrible 767's of BA.
sparkyflyer - 24/11/2011 12:13 GMT
Thank you everyone for your replies and insight.
Kenya Airways (KQ) is an airline I like and have had good experiences on, but Nairobi Airport like Alistair mentioned is not a pleasure. The Kenyan government should consider a brand new one to support KQs growth as THE African hub - think jobs created etc!
The BA Entebbe flight in UK winter arrives late at night, not sure if there is a Rwandair connection at that time, but in summer the BA flight arrives in the morning.
As dutchyankee said, the Kigali, Nairobi, Bujumbura, Entebbe & Kinshasa routes were all Sabena routes. I remember them fondly, and reckon the old Sabena has better marketing of their product, and a better website than Brussels Airlines has now!
Another option is Ethiopean (soon to be Star Alliance) via Addis Ababa, anyone changed planes there at all? Is it OK? Better than Nairobi?
I have used addis a number of times and it is much better than Nairobi - spacious lounge nothing special but fine but would not recommend shopping- I have only flown economy from Addis to Beriut with Ethiopian but very pleasant flight
