SAA Airbus question
 

Is anyone familiar with the seats on the SAA Airbus flights from JFK to Johannesburg and Joburg to Atlanta? I have heard that there are seats with a box underneath the seat that limits your storage.

I just spoke with an SAA agent trying to find out if my seat had a box. She told me it doesn't matter where the boxes are because they don't matter. I asked her if my carry on would fit under the seat if there was a box and she said - you don't put carryon under your seat you put it in the overhead. Once I said okay she hung up even though I wasn't finished asking questions.

My seats are 51C going and 51H coming back and they are supposed the be the aisle seats of 2 with a 2-4-2 configuration.

I can't find the layout of the plane on the SAA website or seat guru.

Another question, my big concern is the safety of my camera gear. I weighed it this morning and it weighs appx 25 lbs if I don't take the laptop. My last two trips I carried this on and put it under the seat on all flights without a problem. I just want to make sure I'll be able to carry this on without any problems in this new plane. If there is a chance of problems, I'll have to make some serious changes in transporting it.

Thanks
Cindy

Based on the seat number, I'm almost certain you're flying on SAA's new 340-600. You can find a low-resolution seat plan on www.flysaa.com

Row 51 is in the middle of the 3rd cabin, so nothing special about those seats. I believe the seats are arranged AC-DEFG-HK.

Most newer planes with individual screens have the box under the seat. On most planes, they are not really that large, so unless you have a huge camera bag - which may be quite large if you say it's 25lb - then they will fit. But you can put it in the overhead compartment too. Having a big bag on the floor is going to make your trip (and the person sitting next to you) very comfortable, regardless how heavy it is, or whether it's photographic equipment or not.

Thanks, rkkwan. It should work out okay on this plane. Now I have another question. Why would luggage under my seat bother the person next to me?

sundowner - You have an aisle seat. A non-stop flight from the US to SA is 14+ hours. I don't know about you, but I usually get up to go to the bathroom about 3-4 times during that period, plus sometimes I just want to stand up, walk around, get some water, get a magazine, etc...

If I have the A/K seat, and my seatmate has a large bag on the floor, it's going to be very difficult for me to get out; and even if I'm not getting out, I feel trapped in my seat.

On these extra-longhauls, you want to do EVERYTHING to make yourself comfortable. [Just look at how many threads and replies one get on the "Europe" board - and those are only 6-10 hour flights!] And for your seatmate too, if you're considerate. Having a large bag on the floor is doing the contrary.

Thanks, rkkwan. Although the bag doesn't stick out past the seat back it still takes up "foot space" for a person trying to pass. I see your point.

And it takes up space for you. Where are you going to put your legs/feet. I'm a short person 5'3" and still like to stretch my legs out. I have, on occasion, placed a small duffle under the seat in front of me and had no problem putting my legs/feet on this bag, but there was nothing but soft stuff inside. I certainly wouldn't want to do this if the bag contained camera (hard) or laptop equipment. Whatever can go up top, goes there.