SAA - on a decline (South African Airways)

Member Name: Pinotage

Product:	South African Airways
Date:	10/03/01 (730 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: On time, SA wine served

Disadvantages: Poor cabin crew, no seat back TV

SAA used to be well above average, but now I'd rate them no better than average.

I have flown with South African Airways twelve times over the past five years consisting of two return flights to Johannesburg, two return flights to Cape Town and two return flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town. Last month we went to Cape Town.

It is very difficult to give an objective opinion on any airline since much of ones experience is based on what happens during the twelve hours that we are strapped into a seat. And so the attitude of the one or two cabin staff assigned to our area has an dis-proportionate influence on us.

Let me first cover the good points, based on my most recent flight, a London-Cape Town- London journey two weeks ago. SAA departed on time and arrived on time, and gave us a smooth safe flight. We were given our requested seat allocations and there was no check-in queue at all at Cape Town's new terminal.

The 747 plane was packed and the seats were standard economy class. I was surprised there were no screen back televisions, just an old fashioned large screen at the front of the cabin. The films on offer did not interest me and I never unwrapped the headset. On the return flight they showed a three week old BBC TV news programme.

Loudspeaker announcements during the flight were muffled, I couldn't understand any of them.

Food was basic economy class fare. On the way out cabin staff made a show of laying a cloth over the table tray, but not on the return. On the return the breakfast was served without any choice although the menu did show an alternative.

Wine is a high point of SAA for me. They serve South African wine in 187.5 cl bottles and as I am a fan of SA wine making my choice is something Iook forward to, but cabin staff were not interested in showing any choices - it was red or white as far as they were concerned. A request on the return for the Sauvignon Blanc I'd enjoy
ed on the outward flight was met with irritation.

SAA give out a useful travel kit in a miniature plastic duffel bag containing eye shades, a good folding toothbrush, toothpaste, comb and sleep slippers.

Our disembarkation at London was delayed by a plane in 'our' arrival bay. My partner was infuriated and said that it was because SAA were renting space from another airline and didn't have dedicated spaces like BA. Last night she returned from a trip with BA and the same thing happened then!

To summarise. Travel economy class with SAA is not as good as it was and now rates as no higher than average. That is for two main reasons.

Cabin crew are new and inexperienced and - to be frank - not very good at their job being slow inefficient and unfriendly and unhelpful. Past flights had older professional cabin crew who were a delight.

Now other long haul airlines have seat back television screens in economy, SAA has a dated offering.

Next time I will try Virgin or BA. Sorry SAA.

Summary: