British Airways lose their gloss

18 June 2007. I caught a Cape Town to Johannesburg flight with British Airways and it was a bit different. In past postings we've pointed out the British Airways edge over SAA (South African Airways) and we still think they have the edge, but there were a couple of things which took the gloss off the experience:

It's more of a mission to change your flight times. I arrived at Johannesburg Airport (OR Tambo) a bit early for my flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town and wanted to get on an earlier flight. In order to get on the earlier flight the lady at the check-in told me that I would have to go to ticket sales. Now, when you change your flight at South African Airways you can do it at the check-in desk, which saves one from having to stand in two queues. The British Airways check-in lady told me that they used to work like that before (but for some unknown reason they've worsened their customer service - how awful). One must also remember that an advantage of flying with South African Airways is that they have much more frequent flights between Cape Town and Johannesburg (and for most routes in South Africa), meaning it's easier to get on an earlier flight.

The plane on the flight to Johannesburg was old, with the type of leather and fixtures that one gets on Kulula & Mango flights. The leg-space was ample as usual.

On the plus side the food was excellent, especially the chease and onion mixed snack - well done, British Airways!

Airport Security has been tightened

I retested the South African airport security situation. At Cape Town International I accidentally left a laptop in my bag and for the first time ever ACSA picked it up!! Well done ACSA, you're not always a sleeping monopoly after all :) Unfortuanately at OR Tambo the ACSA security lady was half asleep and the laptop got through in a laptop bag.

You live and learn

The British Airways check-in lady asked me where I wanted to sit (just the question I like to hear!). I wanted the emergency exit, but that was taken and got offered a window-seat in the row behind the emergency exit. I declined, not realising that this seat had the most legroom in the plane (no seat in front of it)! You live and learn.