Great Service, outdated technology

With the night flight to South Africa: South African Airways flies between Frankfurt and Johannesburg with A340. What is the Business Class of South African Airways?

South African Airways SAA is going through a tough time. The South African airline is in need of money to its Five-year Turnaround to implement the Plan. In the course of the renovation, it has removed one of the two daily Connections between Johannesburg and London. The two German destinations of Frankfurt and Munich, however, are not in the danger, such as Europe boss Michael Bentele assured in an Interview with aeroTELEGRAPH.

While the airline in Munich, Germany stands out with two-engined A330-200, flying from Frankfurt with four-engined A340-600. And that will not change this year also, so Bentele, even if SAA wants to phasing out gradually A340. The Business Class is in these planes are still competitive? We have tested the in may 2018 and are flown with South African Airways from Johannesburg to Frankfurt.

Booking/Reservation: ★★★☆☆.

On the website, the flight may be for many customers searching to appear a bit confusing. Because there are not only the place and date drop-down menus and input fields, but also for cabin class, action code, as well as the number of adults, adolescents, children and babies travelling. Pretty much at a glance. After that, it will be much clearer and everything works intuitively. However, As we have two or three steps back Button for the Return of the booking process, we do not have-and therefore use of the browser. This also works – until we want back to the front. Then read: "your request can not be processed, since they are the navigation buttons (next or back) to be frequently clicked. Please start again from the beginning." Annoying.

Check-in/Boarding: ★★★★★.

As we are flying first with the SAA subsidiary Mango from Durban to Johannesburg, our Luggage checked through. The Wait for the flight to Frankfurt at the Johannesburg airport is very pleasant, because those who fly internationally in Business Class, can spend his time in the Premium Lounge of South African Airways. Here there are, among Other things, cold and warm Buffet, separate areas for smokers, children, and passengers who want to work, as well as views of aircraft at the Gates. From the Lounge, it then goes in the plane and it works smoothly.

Crew: ★★★★★.

All of the crew members with whom we have, are friendly, courteous, and very professional. The for our courts competent flight attendant is also funny and Converses in seven languages. Much better than you can do his Job. Our rating: five stars with hearts.

Seat: ★★★★☆.

The seat is not the youngest, but still very comfortable. He is 53 inches wide, and 61 inches when you turn it on the touch of a button into a flat bed. Our shoes we store in a small compartment at the bottom of the seat in front of you. Further to the above, there are two smaller round boxes, in the small stuff fits in. The seat pitch is 73 inches or 185 centimeters. The length of the bed, South African Airways is 180 centimeters, and in fact, we find that taller passengers might get a space problem. We are not so great and spend time with the comfortable bedding for a pleasant night. An Extra has to offer the seat to a massage function. Which is not stunning, but something Special. Who wants to charge technical equipment, a power outlet, but unfortunately no USB Port.

Meals: ★★★★★.

The dinner begins with three Canapés, including salmon – a good place to start. It is followed by warm bread with Butter and a delicious Red Paprike soup with Feta Topping. In the main course we opt for the fish: pan-roasted Kingklip, served with yellow Basmati rice, sautéed spinach, roasted Butternut squash Cubes and a lemon cream sauce. The mundet. To this end, we order from the wine list, a Rhino Run Chardonnay. Not only has delightful citrus aromas, but the winery Van Loveren donates for each bottle sold to a Foundation, which is committed to the protection of the rhinos. As a Dessert we choose the baked cheese cake. Then there is the conclusion of chocolates. What more could you want?

Cleanliness:

★★★☆☆

Actually, everything is very clean. There are two exceptions, however, unfortunately in our office: If you open the armrest, the table collapsing, are spots visible. This looks really tasty. Also, the button to adjust the Sit, on know a number of small quirks, and some discoloration – this is not really dirt, but perfection is different.

Cabin equipment: ★★★★☆.

Carpet and cabin are dark blue, and thus determine the color scheme of the cabin. The seats are arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration. So every space has not, unfortunately, a direct access to the aisle. The side-by-side seats, however, by a small partition separate from each other. In the toilets there are creams for the face and hands.

Entertainment system: ★★★☆☆.

The Inflight Entertainment System is in urgent need of renewal. The fold-out screen is only 10 inches in size and has a low resolution. The selection of movies and TV shows is more manageable. Actually, SAA would have to think here about an exchange, but the A340 tends to be a discontinued model, and the Airline Short of cash. Now a tag in the large style makes economically no sense. Since we prefer to eat and sleep until arrival.

Wifi: ★

☆☆☆☆.

Here, too, the old equipment of the plane makes a negative impact. Because Wifi offers SAA A340-600. This is in Business Class today, as a matter of course. In addition, it would have been a good way to make the outdated entertainment system. Too bad.

Extras: ★★★★☆.

The Amenity Kit comes in a simple brewing substance case. To us this is better than a cheap imitation, as in the case of other Airlines already seen. It contains a sleeping mask, socks, earplugs, toothbrush and pasta. All solid products, but not very high quality. Also Crabtree & of the company; Evelyn face cream and a lip balm, both with jojoba oil. To have a long plane trip something against dry lips to the Hand, is very pleasant.

Overall grade: 3,7

– Well

Conclusion:

In Munich, South African Airways is flying now with the two-engined Airbus A330-200, in London, with the even newer A330-300. In Frankfurt, the four-old darling of the airline, however, is with the A340-600. This is especially noticeable in the outdated entertainment system. Also the Wifi there is not. A great Lounge in the Johannesburg airport, a great Service and good food on the plane make the a little forgotten. What is avoidable, even in the case of an old flyer, the small deficiencies in the cleanliness. The bottom line is that are still flying with South African Airways, have a well-dined, slept, and delicious.

Posted by John at .