Intercape JNB to CPT from R580*

Velvet Sky Cape Town - JNB review

There's been a vibrant discussion about Velvet Sky on our site, and we've been looking forward to adding our 2c to the discussion. So, we took the plunge, booked our first Velvet Sky flight, and flew on the 24th April 2011 (Easter). Besides the fact that we wanted to review their services, Velvest Sky were cheapest so it was a no brainer.

Velvet Sky plane

Cost

It ended up costing us in total R4044 (2 adults, a toddler and an infant) to fly from Cape Town to Johannesburg and back with Velvet Sky. By contrast, it would have cost R4212 with Mango Airlines, R4374 on 1time airlines, R5034 with Kulula and R5900 with British Airways (SAA's site was down, so we couldn't check their prices).

Airport shuttle

We again used Excite Taxis to shuttle us to Cape Town Airport, costing R200.

Booking process

The online booking process went smoothly, although I understand that those experiencing booking problems were those who paid cash (we used a Kulula credit card to help increase our Kulula moolah).

Delays

There was a delayed check-in - something I haven't encountered too often, but once we got going the queue moved fairly quickly. Velvet Sky's check-in counters are in the far right corner (as you enter) of Cape Town International Airport.

A couple of passengers who had checked in didn't make it to the boarding gate in time, and their bags were offloaded, so it took a little while longer than usual to take off.

boarding a Velvet Sky airline plane

Friendly passengers

Friendly passengers allowed me to jump the queue to get my infant son out of the rain.

Business in Durban

Instead of an in-flight magazine, there were 2010 copies of a "Business in Durban" magazine.

Seating stuff

The back row of an aircraft often has either more or less space than the other rows. In the case of the Velvet Sky plane there is happily more space than usual. So, try sit in the back row, at the emergency exits or in the front row to get more space.

We were seated on the right hand side of the plane, which we found out from the cabin crew has only 3 face masks (in the event of decompression face masks drop), so were moved to the left hand side of the plane, which annoyed the passengers who were meant to be there, as they arrived to see people in their seats "You should have asked first, before moving them there".

tray table switch on Velvet Sky aircraftThe plane was only about half-full, so once the seat-belt signs had gone off after takeoff, I moved over to the empty row next to us (what a pleasure). Some of the switches to keep the tray-tables up weren't working well.

Babies

With other airlines whenever we fly with a baby they ask whether we've ever flown with an infant before, and demonstrate things like how to use the oxygen masks and the brace position with a child. I was surprised that Velvet Sky cabin crew didn't do this.

Free beverages :)

You had to pre-purchase food, and since we're fussy eaters (vegetarian, etc...) we decided not to do so. But Velvet Sky did provide free beverages (I had an orange juice).

SAA plane

Here's a South African Airways plane which was parked on the apron next to us, at O.R. Tambo International Airport.

South African Airways plane in Johannesburg

Europcar Johannesburg

This Europcar Johannesburg advert really stands out as you enter O.R. Tambo Airport.

Europcar advert in Johannesburg O.R. Tambo

Booking form

A few seconds after making the reservation, the following info was emailed to us by Velvet Sky:

From: bookings@FlyVelvetSky.com [mailto:bookings@FlyVelvetSky.com]
Sent: 03 April 2011 03:40 PM
To: INFO@SOUTHAFRICA.TO
Subject: Thank you for booking with us, here are your flight details, your itinerary follows

We have made the following booking for you:

Booking Reference: AAAAAA

Date of Issue: 01/04/2011 15:40:13

CONTACT INFORMATION

PASSENGER INFORMATION

FLIGHT TICKET NUMBERS

Tel: +278211111

MRS JANE DOE
 

MR JOHN DOE
 

MISS TODDLER DOE (CH04)
 

MR INFANT DOE (IN05)
 

ETKT000 230001/01
ETKT000 230001/02

ETKT000 230002/01
ETKT000 230002/02

ETKT000 230003/01
ETKT000 230003/02

ETKT000 230004/01
ETKT000 230004/02

Velvet Airline plane at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport

DEPARTING:

Date

Sun 24 Apr 11

 

All Times Local

Flight-Number

Cabin (book class)

From:

Cape Town

Departure

13:10

VZ 0307

Y (v)

To:

JNB OR Tambo Intl

Arrive

15:20

 

 

Info Flight 1:


RETURNING:

Date

Sat 30 Apr 11

 

All Times Local

Flight-Number

Cabin (book class)

From:

JNB OR Tambo Intl

Departure

12:50

VZ 0314

Y (v)

To:

Cape Town

Arrive

15:00

 

 

Info Flight 2:

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:

Item

Price

/30.00+0.00 MPS ZAR On-Flight Snack

ZAR 30.00

/30.00+0.00 MPS ZAR On-Flight Snack

ZAR 30.00

/30.00+0.00 MPS ZAR On-Flight Snack

ZAR 30.00

Additional Items Total ZAR 90

PRICING

PAYMENT

Form of Payment Credit Card

Price ZAR 3096

Card Number 543XXXXXXXXXX022

Tax/Charge ZA ZAR 516

Payment Amount ZAR 4134.00

Tax/Charge VAT ZAR 426

 

Tax/Charge EV ZAR 96

 

Total Price ZAR 4134

 

Agent Name: VIDWEB

Agent ID: WEB01

Agent Office: Web

Passengers should report to Velvet Sky check-in desks 90 minutes prior to departure of all flights and not later than 60 minutes prior to departure. Boarding for your flight begins at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Gates close 15 minutes prior to departure.

Please check with departure airport for restrictions on the carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels in hand baggage

  VELVET SKY COUPON

  On-Flight Snack

  SA 30APR11 VZ 0314 1250 1500

  MRS JANE DOE

  VELVET SKY COUPON

  On-Flight Snack

  SA 30APR11 VZ 0314 1250 1500

  MR JANE DOE

  VELVET SKY COUPON

  On-Flight Snack

  SA 30APR11 VZ 0314 1250 1500

  MISS TODDLER DOE


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