Kulula return flight to Johannesburg |
21 Feb 2010 |
[Congratulations to the Bulls, Stormers & Cheetahs on their weekend Super 14 rugby victories.]
As soon as we heard of the Kulula seat sale (the same one we told you about), we booked our return flights from Cape Town to Johannesburg (we hope that some of our readers did the same - it sux paying full price). The total price was R2414 (or R805 each). We paid part with Kulula Moolah we've earned with our Kulula Credit Cards, and the remaining R1177 with the Kulula Credit Card (so it came to R392 each...not bad for return flights). Of course, gentle reader, you would be aware of all these tricks of the trade, if you've read our tips for cheap flights.
Travelling from Cape Town to Johannesburg
We once again used Excite for our transfer to Cape Town International, and once again they did a fine job. Our chauffeur entertained us with his knowledge of South African politics, and it was interesting to hear about possible plans for the Fifa World Cup (2 tier pricing system with foreigners paying more...but how would one implement that). We paid R220 plus a (well-earned) R20 tip.
At Cape Town International we used a porter to take the bags from the car to the Kulula check-in (no queue), and tipped him R10. Some kudos to ACSA on a slight improvement we noticed - last time we had to take the car-seat to the fragile items desk ourselves, whereas this time an ACSA employee accompanied us. Hopefully eventually ACSA will figure out a way of carting it around themselves (or is theft a problem?).
At the airport we went to old faithful, the Soaring Hawk Spur, to get something for our toddler to eat (chicken nuggets & chips). If you can get the right seat at the Spur, there are some stunning views of the apron of O.R. Tambo Airport, where you can watch the planes taxying in and out (and if you need power for your laptop or cellphone, there is a specific table where it's available). It's worth arriving a little early for your flight, so you can enjoy a meal at the Spur, and not have to go through unpleasant anxieties of worrying whether you'll miss your trip because of traffic.
We were delighted that the Kulula flight boarded on time, and we arrived in Joburg slightly early.
Fun in the sky
We spent R30 on a Kulula Fun in the Sky Pack for our toddler (pity it's not free like on 1time flights) - with colouring-in paper, pens, an apple juice, a health bar and chocolates. Kulula's menu is limited but I enjoyed their veggie sandwich, cranberry bar, chip stix and sparkling water.
Free Mango newspaper
We were delighted that a Mango staff member obliged our request for a copy of the Business Day (even though we don't usually fly with Mango).
Kulula humour failure
I've grown accustomed to and delighted with the humour Kulula spins into its flights, so was surprised at the monotone dehumourfied in-flight announcements. Comon Kulula, where's your stand-up comedians?
Travelling from Johannesburg to Cape Town
Whilst our outbound Kulula flight was on-time, our return Kulula flight was 20 minutes late to board. Most passengers had rushed to the boarding queue to stand and wait, and I was one of the few left chilling on the seats - go figure, it's not like those standing are going to get to Cape Town before those enjoying the seats (any psychologists amongst our readers wish to explain at the flights travel forum why people rush to queue only to have to wait in the aircraft?).
I was quite surprised at how empty the plane was. We were sitting in row 4, and there were only 2 people in rows 1 to 3. On the plus side, Kulula had rediscovered their sense of humour. I managed to record most of the Kulula announcement: "Now Ladies & Gentlemen, you know me and my wonderful team, so could you please introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you. Come on, don't be shy, they're not going to bite. Ladies & Gentlemen we are going to be taking you through our safety procedure on board this aircraft. We ask that you please pay attention. Before the touch down your tray tables need to be folded away, your armrest down, blinds must be opened with your lazyboys in their most uncomfortable upright position. And those seatbelts fastened low and tight around those gorgeous hips. Now unfortuanately due to load-shedding there is no aircon on board this aircraft so we have provided you with your own fanning device which shows pretty pictures on escape routes, oxygen masks and flotation devices as well as the all-important brace-position which you must use in the event of an emergency - that's just basically when we all bend over and kiss our arses goodbye. Jammer om te hoor. There are 8 emergency exits on the aircraft and the crew will do the macarena and point them out to you now - there are 2 at the front 4 overwing exits and 2 at the back. Please take a moment to locate the nearest exit to you bearing in mind that it might be behind or on top of you at the time. To guide you to the exit we've placed floor-lighting in the aisle - disco style. Now in the unlikely event of Julius Malema ever speaking sense or we do have a loss of cabin pressure, free oxygen will be provided - masks will drop from the right and left service panel above you. Scream softly and pull the mask down with a sharp downward jerk to activate the flow of oxygen, cover your nose and mouth and breath normally or just simply dial 911. Now on our way to Slaapstad we should be flying over a few swimming pools, 4 rivers and a large sewerage pond, so in the case of a water-landing you have your own life-jacket under the seat. On instruction from the crew, fasten the life jacket tightly around your waist and pull down the red tags to give you that wonder-bra look. There's a red whistle for survivors and a light to shine in the shark's eyes. We are a smoke-free flight and the toilets are monitored by smoke detectors & video-camera'd for the captain's entertainment. But if we do catch you smoking the Civil Aviation Authority can fine you up to R6000; and Kulula fans, for those prices you could have flown SAA today and got yourself a free bankie. All those fancy phones - those blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, iphones, uphones, mephones all interfere with the aircraft's system. We ask you now to relax and enjoy the ride."
Touch-Down Meter Taxi Association charged us R160 to get from Cape Town Airport to our home, R60 less than Excite charged to get to the Airport...we'll have to remember to use Touch-Down in future (082-438-1935).
Booking details
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kulula.com travel itinerary
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kulula.com computer generated copy of tax invoice
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Important travel info Bring to the airport Bring your booking reference and ID book, drivers license or passport to check-in for your flight/s. Check-in Check-in opens 90 min before take-off and closes sharply 30 min before your flight. It's not a good idea to check-in valuables like cameras, money, jewellery or anything else that's important to you. Baggage Effective 06 May 2009, you're allowed a free checked baggage weight up to a maximum of 20kg. Any excess weight over 20kg will cost an additional R25 per kilo at the Airport. Excess baggage may be purchased at reduced rates (up to 50% discount) up to 24 hours prior to departure via our website or Contact Centre. Excess baggage is non-refundable after payment - so consider carefully before adding extra weight to your booking. On-board entertainment: kulula podcasts Be sure to have your onboard entertainment ready for you when you fly with us. We have put together a 30 minute live radio show – created to make your trip with us even more pleasurable. Changing your booking If you need to make any changes to this booking, it's best to do it online at least 48 hours before your flight. Just remember that no route or name changes will be permitted on Lusaka, Windhoek, Harare, Mauritius or Ndola flights, but if you're already at the airport, go to the Ticket Sales office. Changing your flight at the airport and through the Contact Centre will cost R140 per person, per sector, plus the difference between your old fare and the new one available. If you can't make your flight, please don't forget to contact us more than 48 hours before scheduled departure to change your booking to another date, cause if you miss it without changing it first, you'll lose the full value of your ticket. What a waste! Dangerous articles Dangerous articles (such as compressed gases, corrosives, explosives, flammable liquids and solids, radioactive materials, oxidising materials, poisons and infectious substances) must not be carried in baggage. Ask us if you are unsure what items are regarded as dangerous, 'cause we can't allow you to travel with this sort of stuff in your bags. Unaccompanied minors Kids under 12 have to travel with at least one adult aged 16 years or older and unfortunately we don't accept unaccompanied minors, sorry. |
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Ask our travel consultant your questions here. She would love to assist.
Category : Kulula Airlines ; Author : Rob Baker
