SAA - what a joke! (South African Airways)

Member Name: princess_pearson

Product:	South African Airways
Date:	13/05/09 (14 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: None!

Disadvantages: Customer Service, The attitude & arrogance of staff. Plane configuration.

I flew with SAA from London Heathrow - Joburg in April 2009 & hated every second!
When I made my original booking back in November 2008 I requested a seat with extra legroom - I did this by viewing the seat plan and clicking on the seat with extra legroom; just like every customer can do. At that time I though "great" I'm going to be comfy for the 11hour flight - well that excitement didn't last long at all!
In December I received an e-mail saying that as the configuration of the plane had changed so had my seat and that I was just going to have a normal one - to say I was unhappy at this stage is an understatement. I contacted their customer services and was told that as it's only a request there is nothing they can do which really frustrated me!
The flight itself was awful nobody comes when you press your buzzer and when I eventually got an air stewardesses attention as she walked past I politely asked for a glass of water, the response I got was "I'll see what I can do", that is NOT something anyone should hear especially after paying quite a hefty sum for a flight nor a company that relies on its customer service.
The air stewardesses are too busy dancing & chatting in the kitchen area to even care about the passengers, a disgrace! I would rather pay the extra and go with Emirates next time.

Summary: Worst flights of my life - will never use again