While flying in the face of convention by retaining First Class on its Boeing 747-400s, SAA has conformed to the current trend by joining an alliance. Peter Jolly reports The introduction of the Airbus fleet in February 2003 enabled SAA to move away from the traditional First and Business Class configuration and combine them in its Premium cabin. But passengers can still enjoy First on the airline's Boeing 747-400s, which mainly operate between South Africa and the UK, Washington, Accra, Lagos and Luanda.
Despite claiming its First Class product ranks with the best in the world, SAA is not resting on its laurels. Says SAA president and CEO Khaya Ngqula: "During this year, our product will receive a big boost as we take a closer look at food on board and at our First Class revamp, as well as the installation of airport lounges across the African continent."
A further boost was the news that from last month, South African Airways became a fully fledged member of the Star Alliance, joining 16 fellow international carriers, including Air New Zealand, ANA, BMI, Lufthansa, SAS, Singapore Airlines, SWISS International, TAP Air Portugal, Thai Airways, United Airlines, US Airways and VARIG Brazilian Airlines.
Membership means the South African flag carrier, which has a fleet of 58 aircraft, among them new Airbus A340s and A319s, can offer its seven million passengers a much enhanced product in terms of reach.
It serves 34 cities in 26 countries, including daily flights to Hong Kong, Frankfurt, Paris, New York and Zurich, a double daily Johannesburg-London Heathrow service, and seven direct flights a week between Cape Town and London. Domestically, SAA flies to some 20 destinations and regionally to 23 African airports.
As a Star Alliance member, however, it will link into a network of 842 destinations in 152 countries worldwide, with over 15,000 flights a day. The benefits are reciprocal.
SAA introduced e-ticketing in 2003 in conjunction with IT supplier SITA. Now, following the signing of an agreement at the 37th African Airlines Association AGM, the airline will use its considerable experience to develop a step-by-step guide for the continent's carriers which have had difficulty going electronic. This they must do at the insistence of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which requires all airlines to provide paperless travel by the end of next year.
Meanwhile, further bonuses accruing from SAA's membership of the Star Alliance include the ability of its business travellers to accumulate and redeem frequent flyer programme miles on all scheduled flights operated by fellow member airlines. They also have access to more than 660 airport lounges around the world. All of which adds up to the Springbok airline now being able to offer a seamless travel experience from point to point, including convenient transfers and through check-in to the final destination. First Class round-up
Seat: offers a 180 degree lie-flat bed, 29in wide with a pitch of 83in; electronically-operated with fully adjustable headrest and pneumatic lumbar support, the seats are configured 1x2x1. There is an 8.6in TV screen; in-seat phone and laptop power supply
Cabin amenities: sleeper suit and amenity bag; pre-flight Champagne; newspapers; duvets; large pillows and hot towels
In-flight service: all meals are served on white Royal Doulton bone china with crystal glassware; large tables allow for passengers to eat with a companion. In what is described as "A la Carte" dining, there is a choice of three starters, four main courses and a selection of desserts; liqueurs, coffee, award-winning South African wines and Grand Cru Champagne complete the dinner menu, which allows travellers the freedom to order individual items as and when they like
In-flight entertainment: audio-video on demand, enabling passengers to play, pause, rewind or fast-forward at will; selection of some 20 feature and short films per flight, video games and up to a dozen TV and audio channels; the airline currently spends £7 million a year on in-flight entertainment
On the ground: dedicated First Class Cycad lounges including arrivals facilities at London Heathrow and Johannesburg. At the Heathrow Arrivals Lounge, for example, passengers can enjoy a shower, hot breakfast and have clothes pressed. There is also a business centre. Ranked number four in the world by Skytrax, the lounges have a chef who prepares an a la carte menu. Complimentary chauffeur-drive transfers available in the UK within a 65-mile radius of London Heathrow; baggage allowance of 40kg. At Johannesburg Airport, there is a First Class kerbside check-in facility
Frequent flyer programme: Voyager, which has 1.8 million members, is a five-tier rewards scheme comprising blue, silver, gold, platinum and lifetime platinum for the ultimate high flyer; miles can be exchanged for a variety of awards, including free flights and upgrades. The scheme is now linked to those operated by the airlines within Star Alliance
Website: www.flysaa.com
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