Summary

  • South African Airways business class on the Airbus A320 offers comfortable seats and generally good service.
  • Online bidding for upgrades to business class is a convenient option with reasonable prices.
  • The A320 business class cabin lacks seatback entertainment, but passengers can use a wireless entertainment system.

While business class on a single-aisle aircraft differs slightly from a widebody, it is still a comfortable way to travel on short flights. On Tuesday, June 18, I flew on South African Airways business class on the Airbus A320 from Johannesburg to Windhoek, Namibia. For several years, the airline was known for having one of the most luxurious business cabins in Africa, so let’s see if that is still the case.

Bidding for a business class upgrade

I got to try the SAA business class cabin when flying from Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Windhoek Hosea Kutako International (WDH) for the annual AviaDev Africa conference. I was initially booked in economy class, but when I was checking in online the night before my flight, South African Airways offered me an upgrade to business class. The minimum amount was $23 (R425), which I thought was reasonable. However, there was a 20% discount on the standard bidding price for a promotion ending on June 18.

South African Airways online check-in

Photo: SAA

I placed my bid of $23, and in the morning, the airline sent an email saying my bid was accepted. As such, I received all business class benefits, including lounge access, additional baggage allowance, a special check-in counter, and priority boarding. With a 15:00 departure time, I arrived at the airport at about 13:00 local time. I headed for the premium check-in point with a nice red carpet and stanchions, so I got to skip the queue. I checked in and headed straight to the immigration point.

Unfortunately, there were about 100 passengers and only three immigration officers, so I spent nearly 45 minutes in the line. I thought of trying another security checkpoint, but I thought the situation might be the same. However, after getting my passport stamped, I rushed straight for the lounge as time was running out. SAA’s The Lounge is located next to the Emirates Lounge. It provides a comfortable place to sit or work before your flight.

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Leaving the lounge and boarding

SAA Flight 076 to Windhoek was boarding at Gate A2, about an eight-minute walk from the lounge. After spending about 30 minutes in The Lounge, I began preparing to leave and board my flight. However, the airline announced that boarding would be delayed by about ten minutes, so I waited. I eventually made my way to the gate, but still, the airline wasn’t ready to board the passengers, so I waited again.

Eventually, the staff sorted out their issues and called us to board the plane. All business class passengers and Voyager elite members had priority, so it was a pretty smooth process. However, all passengers were boarded from the same door and jet bridge, so obviously, there would be some commotion in the line. I went to my Seat 3A (I always sit by the window), and luckily, the seat next to me remained unoccupied.

The business class cabin is in a 2-2 configuration, while economy class is in 3-3. I was flying on the Airbus A320-200, registration ZS-SZB, which took its first flight in June 2013 and was delivered to SAA the following month. It has 114 economy and 24 business class seats with a pitch of 39 inches. The aircraft has comfortable leather seats with a leg rest, wide armrest, a generous amount of legroom, and enough recline for a comfortable flight.

While the seats were incredibly comfortable, some of the leather was getting old. The leg rest would also fold too easily each time I put any weight on it, so it was a bit uncomfortable at times. Nonetheless, the cabin was exceptionally clean, and the crew was very amiable. The business class cabin also has powerpoints to charge a smartphone. However, the Type G sockets in the cabin mean that most people with laptops purchased in South Africa can’t plug them in unless they have an adapter, as most of the country uses Type D.

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Food, drinks, and In-Flight Entertainment

We taxied quickly, and the aircraft departed the airport at about 15:19 local time. As the aircraft became airborne, there was a strange, consistent noise coming from the front of the aircraft, and it was quite loud from where I was sitting. However, it eventually died down, and everything sounded normal again.

Eating and drinking time!

As soon as the aircraft leveled up, the cabin crew began the meal service. Starting off with the drinks, there was a wide selection of hot and cold beverages. Passengers could choose from soft drinks, water, fruit juices, wines, beers, and other alcoholic beverages. This time, I opted for a glass of Amarula, Africa’s rich and premium cream liqueur. Later, I asked the flight attendant for some ice, and she said,

“Good choice! This is my favorite drink, and I always take it with ice. I envy you, but I’m sure you will enjoy it.”

South African Airways business class cabin

Photo: Tatenda Karuwa | Simple Flying

She was very friendly, and she even took the time to have personal conversations with any passengers who were interested. Eventually, the food came out, and I opted for the duck meal. The options included:

  • Duck
  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Fish
  • Vegetarian

I had a small tray with duck meat and beans, bread and butter, mixed veggies and a salad, a piece of cheesecake for dessert, and a pack of Wheatsworth crackers. The cutlery was also branded with the SAA logo, showing that the airline hasn’t really lost its touch.

Wireless In-Flight Entertainment

Unfortunately, the A320-200 doesn’t have seatback entertainment. There are only a few overhead screens that show the flight map and a few ads from time to time. However, passengers can use the wireless entertainment system provided by SAA. To access it, you have to log in to a wireless network, which sends you to a page on Google where you can sign in and view the entertainment offers.

South African Airways business class cabin

Photo: Tatenda Karuwa | Simple Flying

There is a wide selection of movies, TV shows, games, music, and duty-free products. However, in situations like this, I always opt for my own entertainment. I have a carefully curated playlist on Spotify, which I always play on regional flights that don’t have seatback entertainment. I have also stocked up on a number of movies and episodes of my favorite series.

Arriving at Windhoek Airport

The rest of the flight was smooth and uneventful, and the crew kept coming to check on the passengers. I got a refill of my Amarula drink and sat back comfortably until landing. We arrived at Windhoek Hosea Kutako at about 17:14, giving a flight time of about 1h 55m. We taxied to the gate, and the ground handlers brought the passenger stepladder. I was keen to witness this process because Windhoek Airport changed handlers last year, and the transition was not so smooth. However, it seems like the issues were resolved.

I made my way to the arrivals terminal, where several chaperons were waiting for us as conference delegates. There was also a dedicated line at immigration, so the process was flawless. By the time I got to the carousel, my luggage had already been collected, so I hopped onto the shuttle and headed for the hotel.

Namibia Sandwich Harbor

Photo: Tatenda Karuwa | Simple Flying

While the conference lasted only three days, I spent six days in Namibia. Over the weekend, I got to explore what the country has to offer. I visited Sandwich Harbor, one of the few places in the world where the desert meets the ocean. I returned to Johannesburg on SAA Flight 077, but this time in economy. I chose Seat 29A, right at the back of the plane, and there was no other passenger in at least a three-seat radius.

What do you think of this story? When was the last time you flew SAA? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

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