SAA business class – what do others really think?
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at 17:09 by LuganoPirate.
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TiredOldHack2ParticipantWith BA seemingly blocking the Amsterdam Dodge (or attempts to start a journey in any country other than the UK), I’m looking at SAA. They’re flying A330s from London to JNB and their biz cabin seems rather good.
Star Alliance, of course, so no TPs or Avios, but I can live with that for a flight cost of around £1500 return, starting inAMS.
All thoughts and comments gratefully received.
13 Nov 2019
at 13:55
SwitzerlandingParticipantWhy not give Qatar a go? Not sure of their pricing out of AMS but a nice OW option
13 Nov 2019
at 16:44
capetonianmParticipantSGJNI1961 has made two valid comments above which reflect the sad reality of how the country and its parastatals are being run under the current ‘democratic’ regime.
That said, I would not hesitate to fly SAA if it suited my needs and itinerary, and although I haven’t flown with them for a long time, I understand from people who have that their new business class is very good, in fact even economy isn’t bad. I certainly wouldn’t go via Doha (or anywhere in the ME) if I had the option of AMS-LHR-JNB.I am not sure if TiredOldHack2 is heading for JNB or CPT, but if the latter, then I wouldn’t go via JNB unless there were a huge saving or I wanted to stop over there.
13 Nov 2019
at 17:00
TiredOldHack2ParticipantYeah, I’d thought of Qatar but it breaks the journey into two longish segments, with a stopover in Doha, and I’d rather do the Europe-SA leg in one hit. That said, QR has some damn good deals from time to time and is very useful from a TP point of view, so maybe.
13 Nov 2019
at 18:42
TiredOldHack2Participant[quote quote=977816]am not sure if TiredOldHack2 is heading for JNB or CPT[/quote]
JNB. Better access to the Kruger, though DUB is a contender.
13 Nov 2019
at 18:46
AMcWhirterParticipant[postquote quote=977811][/postquote]
TOH it always helps to say roughly when any travel is planned as aviation is a fast-changing industry.
Should that strike go ahead there might be disruption and so on for weeks.
In any case you referred to SAA’s A330s.
But SAA has just taken delivery of the first of a small fleet of A350s.
Will these aircraft retain the same business class product ?
Yes our piece refers to JNB-NYC service but I have also read that they could be deployed on London which is SAA’s most competitive European route.
13 Nov 2019
at 19:31
capetonianmParticipantDudu Myeni was not just a buffoon, she was a thieving corrupt buddy of the biggest thief in the country at the time.
13 Nov 2019
at 20:34
TiredOldHack2Participant[quote quote=977831]it always helps to say roughly when any travel is planned[/quote]
Good point. Silly me. First 10-12 days in October.
1 user thanked author for this post.
14 Nov 2019
at 14:33
AMcWhirterParticipantThat’s a long time ahead which covers the summer 2020 schedules. By then the A350 might be operating the route.
14 Nov 2019
at 15:47
LuganoPirateParticipantAssuming they are still flying / exist, but I think they will, the SAA Business Class on the A330 is an excellent product.
Seating was (and I assume still is) 2x2x2 but the amount of space and legroom is the best of any of the other carriers I’ve flown with. On the few occasions I’ve flown them my sleep has been better than that on LH or LX First class.
Plenty of cubby holes for your shoes and other bits and pieces.Crew are friendly, though perhaps lack the polish of LH or LX and the food is not too bad I’m told. Drink choice is very good, as South Africans enjoy their liquor, especially if it’s free!!!
I can’t speak of the lounge at LHR or FRA but the one in JNB is very good.
So all in all, I’d certainly recommend them for long haul travel.14 Nov 2019
at 17:09 -
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