South African Airways
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"Recent flight"
Thanks for sharing your detailed experience! It sounds like while the aircraft from Johannesburg to JFK could use some updating—especially with in-flight entertainment and hardware—the exceptional friendliness and professionalism of the crew made a big difference. That kind of service can often outweigh hardware shortcomings, especially on long-haul routes.
"A great flight"
That sounds like a smooth and pleasant flight experience—on-time departure, early arrival, good service, and even a tasty meal are a great combination. It’s always nice when everything just works seamlessly.
"A comfortable flight"
Sounds like a great short-haul experience—friendly cabin crew and a decent meal can really make even a quick flight feel much more enjoyable.
"Not again"
The seats are the most uncomfortable I have ever sat on, the longest 4 hours, I am going to have to go to physio to fix my back and legs.
"Reasonable and nice"
That sounds like a mixed experience—comfortable seating and punctual timing balanced out by lackluster food, outdated entertainment, and the hassle of a midnight security search in Accra. Losing both suitcases definitely adds frustration, even if they showed up later.
"Terrible, SAA is only a shadow of its former self"
Terrible experience. Very slow boarding, late departure, no aircons on overful flight. Never again! Air hostesses did their best though….
"Much better than expected"
It’s always great when a flight exceeds expectations—especially when it rivals or outshines a major Middle Eastern airline. Sounds like South African Airways delivered a surprisingly solid experience, from check-in to touchdown. The A330 sounds like it held up well, but the A350 would definitely be a nice upgrade!
"Atrocious service, lack of accountability and customer servic"
It’s incredibly frustrating to deal with issues like double bookings, especially when it leads to being moved multiple times and being questioned about something that should have been handled correctly from the start. It sounds like the airline’s service has declined significantly, and dealing with rude or unhelpful staff only makes the experience worse. Your suggestion for better staff training is spot on. Customer service is critical, especially when dealing with the stress of air travel. If you haven't already, it might be worth submitting your feedback directly to the airline so they can address these concerns. Sometimes, sharing these experiences can prompt improvements. Would you like any help drafting a letter to express your dissatisfaction with the service you received?
"Still no refund after 40+ days – Terrible customer service"
I booked a flight via MyTrip (Booking Number: CLMTCB), and after a cancellation, I’ve been waiting for a refund for over 40 days. Despite sending multiple emails and follow-ups to both MyTrip and South African Airways, I’ve received no resolution and barely any response. Customer service has been shockingly unhelpful. Most emails go unanswered or are met with automated replies asking for data processing consent — yet even after giving it, no action is taken. At this point, I’ve been forced to escalate the matter to consumer protection authorities in both Sweden and South Africa. No customer should have to chase for a refund that is rightfully theirs. I would strongly caution anyone against using MyTrip or SAA, especially if you expect support or transparency when issues arise.
"Impossible to check in the night before the flight due to their strike but on the whole OK."
That sounds like a stressful lead-up to your flight—technical issues compounded by a strike can certainly throw things off, especially when you're trying to secure seats and rest before a long journey. It's good to hear the situation improved in-flight, with some sleep, decent food, and a friendly crew helping to salvage the experience. Having that extra seat space can make a big difference, especially when you're not feeling 100%.
"Flight To Tanzania"
It sounds like SAA is providing a convenient option for that specific route, especially considering they are the only direct flight between Johannesburg and Dar es Salaam. While the flight itself seems comfortable and the check-in process smooth, it’s unfortunate that the in-flight entertainment is limited and the visa process on arrival can slow things down. It's always a good idea to plan extra time at customs in places like Dar es Salaam, especially when processing visas or permits takes longer than expected. Are there any specific improvements you'd like to see from SAA, particularly for this route?
"Comfortable"
It sounds like you had a generally positive experience with your flight, especially with the food and service. It's great to hear that your special food request was accommodated and that you had enough legroom. The small flip-down trays can definitely be a downside, though, especially for longer flights when you need more space to eat or work. It's also a shame about the entertainment options being lacking.
"Sad fishy experience"
I have nothing against the flight, just the fact that ive had my luggage smelling like fish and damaged even tho it was wrapped. The plane was from air mauritius with south african airways. Its a shame
"Pleasantly surprised by SAA"
That's a great review! It's encouraging to hear that South African Airways (SAA) is making a strong comeback with better service and more affordable fares. Free coffee and breakfast are definite perks, especially when compared to the increasing add-on costs from low-cost carriers like FlySafair. The value for money sounds impressive.
"Very pleased"
Sounds like a mostly positive flight experience! Delays can be frustrating, but it’s great to hear the cabin crew and onboard service made up for it. A friendly staff and thoughtful food and drink service can really turn things around.
South African Airways
South African Airways (SAA), the flag carrier of South Africa, was founded in 1929 as Union Airways and rebranded to its current name in 1934. Headquartered at Airways Park in O. R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, SAA operates a hub-and-spoke network. The airline serves 13 destinations across Africa and two intercontinental destinations: Perth, Australia, and São Paulo, Brazil. In April 2006, SAA became the first African airline to join the Star Alliance, one of the three major global airline alliances.
Address
Airways Park, O. R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Website
https://www.flysaa.com/
Email
[email protected]
Telephone
+954-769-5000