I was 5 minutes late to check-in for my 1time flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg and they had closed the gates already, and I had missed my flight (flight was leaving at 0645, I tried to check-in at 0620). The next 1time flight was only leaving at 1030 which would result in me missing meeting, so I then had to shell out R799 to purchase a Mango Airlines ticket. I write this not to complain, but to point out the consequences of not checking in on time (especially with low cost airlines which have infrequent flights). Every cloud has a silver lining, and in my case this had the happy consequence of allowing me to fly with Mango (an airline which my partner refuses to fly with).

Check-in & Boarding

The check-in queue was short (but slightly longer than the Kulula and 1time queues I've experienced recently), and Mango's check-in attendant was friendly (cracked jokes about him not being able to figure out what some of the golf equipment was for). The boarding queue was very long, but moved quickly and we took off on time. Having checked in quite early, I had the pleasure of getting the exact seat on the plane I wanted - window seat next to the overwing emergency exit (this seat not only provides the most space, but also maximises your chances of surviving a plane crash).

Menu

Mango's menu doesn't have as many options as Kulula or 1time. I ordered a vegeterian sandwich (R25), salted peanuts (R9) and Mineral sparkling water (R9).

In flight magazine

Mango's in-flight magazine is called Mango "Juice". Interesting advertisers included:

Always check if the seat at the emergency exit is available

On my return flight to Cape Town I flew with 1time, and was surprised that I managed to secure the seat next to the emergency exit, as the check-in lady told me 75 people had already checked in on the flight. Surprising that so many people check-in without asking for this seat.

Always enter the competitions

If they're running a competition on the plane, always enter for it, as amongst 200 odd people you've got a much bigger chance of winning than in competitions where there are thousands of entrants. I won a hamper of Count Pushkin vodka on the 1time flight home.

Photos

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