I have had an unbelievably bad experience with South African Airlines and just for one trip. I fly constantly for work and pleasure and have never encountered an airline that cares so little for their customers. I recently took a trip from JFK to Cape Town and back and from the poorly designed and functioning web site to rude service at check in things just got worse from there. During the flight the food made my boyfriend and I sick and the air attendant spilled burning coffee down my leg with little apology or recognition.
Don't for get your voyager number or they will never give you your miles. Even if you submit them on the Web site with ticket numbers and mail in the boarding passes. 5 months later I am still waiting to get my 20,000 miles counted. After writing to complain it took almost three months to get a pathetic response with no offer to rectify the situation. I suggest you never fly south african airlines.

I thought they were great. Perhaps after a few "free" glasses of South African wine I didn't notice a few things. Yes, the seating is tight at 31 inches in coach, but the video on demand was great and it helped make a long flight possible. When the flight attendant bumped my arm, he stopped to apologize. Probably my fault. Had to stretch.

Can anyone think of an airline that has never pissed anyone off?

I must disagree. We flew from IAD to JNB and CPT last summer (their winter) and loved the flight. Good food and drinks, pleasant service. Flew out on a 747 (a bit crampted in Econ.), but came back on a new A340 (roomier). And we avoided having to connect in Europe, required by all other airlines to SA. AND got lots of Mileage Plus points.

Did you sue the airline for spilling hot coffee? One woman in the US sued McDonald's for selling hot coffee and got millions. She spilled it on herself in her car.

Faina, LMAO.

My husband had a fine experience w/ them.

It does suck that you haven't gotten your FF miles yet, though.

I had a similar problem with the miles and having them credit my USAir account. I recommend calling their call center in Ft. Lauderdale. For the most part, those people are helpful.

I've never had a problem and always fly SAA.

Date of original post was 3/8/06 and it was posters only post and never even came back on to check replies.

I always wonder how these old threads resurface...

I flew SAA and had no problems. the food coming back to the U.S. wasn't the best but for a 20 hour flight you have to eat something. I had no problem getting miles credited from their online site to Delta, their then flying partner.