I'm going to South Africa soon, and I'm flying SAA. Anyone have experience with them?

Debi,

I am flying out on May 8th, so I, too, would like to hear comments.
Anita

They are the only game in town for direct flights to South Africa from where I live, but I've never spoken to anyone that flew them...... we'll have to see..... I'm flying out on May 18th, so you'll beat me by a bit...

I flew them in 2005-JFK-JNB. Was o.k., seats as comfortable as coach gets, personal tv screens, free wine. Food was better going then coming. Only bad part was the stop in Sal or whatever it's called for an hour for refueling and you can't get off the plane. Both flights were on time, stewardesses were friendly. Long flight but beats the layover in Europe. Will be flying them again in September.

Thank you. Interestingly enough, last time I went, I flew KLM, and everyone stops in Senegal - must like Ireland was last time I flew there - have to stop there no matter what. Now, I'm looking forward to it....

Currently on SAA:

JFK-JNB stops at DKR both ways.
IAD-JNB non-stop for eastbound, DKR for westbound.

DKR is Dakar, Senegal.

Some flights used to refuel at Sal, Cape Verde, but no more.

Hi Debi,
I flew economy SAA from ATL-JNB 2 years ago and am flying with them again in a couple months. It was an 18 hour flight and not bad at all.

The service was great and the individual video screens helped to pass the hours. I watched a few movies as well as taught the surrounding passengers how to play video poker. Got them all hooked on Amarula too. I did take an Ambien to sleep part of the way so got a good 6 hour sleep.

Are you going on safari? Capetown? &lt

Video on demand and free wine with meals are the economy plus. A long flight is the negative.

I am leaving for J'borg on May 8th from Washington and am under the impression that all of the economy seats have video; not just economy plus.

I think so too. Last time we flew we were in regular economy, had the video system and got free wine.

matnikstym - good - I'm happy to hear that. Besides the wine I'll take an Ambien for the 15 hour flight. Bringin my MP3 player with a lot of batteries and a good bood. Hope they have decent movies on the flight - not that I'll be choosy or anything - just happy to have the video and wine.

flgirl~You can go to their website and see what movies will be playing in May. Click on "InFLight" and it will give a list of new movies, tv etc.
The webpage also confirms ALL seats on the plane get the VOD system.

The movies aren't too bad. I'm with a tour group so the seats aren't too great. Going I'm in 66 aisle and coming home 44 aisle, but I'm going to try to get a better row once I am at the airport. At least I have an aisle seat. Would love bulkhead.

No - unfortunately, this is a business trip - not vacation (although I would LOVE to go on a safari)... I am excited though, that I'm going to Cape Town as well on this trip - last time I just went to Johnannesburg.....

Debi,
Maybe next time it will be for vacation. I think the row I am in coming home is right in front of the exit doors, so now I'm thinking that the seat will not recline, so I will definitely have to change my seats at the airport.

I have made three trip on SAA and all were very good. Very minor complaint is the 747 upper deck is very noisy in the forward part.

In early part of the year the none stops from IAD-JNB are great.