Best Options - Adelaide to Port Elizabeth

3 replies

Carrots

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 06 Oct 2017

Total posts 39

Looking for a little bit of feedback on planning for a trip next year to South Africa.


We're off to Port Elizabeth for the half ironman world champs in September, but it's become apparent SA from SA is not ideal!

Looking for feedback on best routing options, not just from a time perspective but also carrier quality. The three obvious routes are -
ADL PER JNB PLZ
ADL SYD JNB PLZ
ADL SIN JNB PLZ

What's experience been like on South African Airways product wise? Likely booking will be J unless she who must be obeyed overrules me and then it'll be PE (which may through in a ADL MEL SIN diversion to jump on their PE in MEL).

The biggest headache in the above is the potential layover time in SIN, although routing via MEL might be a way to reduce that greatly.

The SAA or Sin options are handy due to being able to book via Virgin as opposed to QF and my pleb status these days (although have plenty of QF points to burn on potential PE to J upgrades).

Appreciate the thoughts of those who have done, or do head to SA regularly.

tommygun

Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles

Member since 16 Oct 2017

Total posts 291

SAA is a shadow of its former self I'm afraid. Old aircraft on PER-JNB, outdated J seats and inconsistent service. If it were me I'd go SQ, quantum leap above J aboard QF 744.

With SQ booking your JNB-PLZ sector will be on SAA, but it's a short enough flight.
J seating on that 738 aircraft is 2-3: A/C seats are therefore better: 3 abreast in J doesn't do it for me.

sanj747

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 01 Nov 2016

Total posts 148

SAA is a shadow of its former self I'm afraid. Old aircraft on PER-JNB, outdated J seats and inconsistent service. If it were me I'd go SQ, quantum leap above J aboard QF 744.
With SQ booking your JNB-PLZ sector will be on SAA, but it's a short enough flight.
J seating on that 738 aircraft is 2-3: A/C seats are therefore better: 3 abreast in J doesn't do it for me.

Agree with the choice of SQ. A no brainer decision. SIN to JNB leg is on the A350. This is a late night flight so you want to be comfortable. Makes it even more clearer on who to fly.

Carrots

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 06 Oct 2017

Total posts 39

Thanks for the replies. That’s the same way I was leaning. I think (sadly) my only temption for a QF flight out of SYD will be if they have a companion sale in the next month or so otherwise it’s hard to fault the SQ offering.

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