Aio86 From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 928 posts, RR: 0 Posted (6 years 2 months 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 2758 times:
I am looking into flights between the US and Southern Africa for this summer. As a Mileage Plus member, I am deciding between flying South Africa Airways on one of the non-stops from IAD. My other option is with TAP Portugal and flying direct from Lisbon. How is the Y service on both airlines with their A340s? I like the prospects of Lisbon because I can break up the trip with a day in Lisbon (I'm looking at an 8:30am arrival from the US and an 11pm departure out again; I like that especially compared to a 4-8 hour layover in LHR, FRA or ZRH) but also the possibilities of upgrading myself with TAP using United miles (which is not possible with SAA). Thoughts? Thanks!
Swissgabe From Switzerland, joined Jan 2000, 5265 posts, RR: 36 Reply 3, posted (6 years 2 months 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 2686 times:
Quoting Flying Belgian (Reply 1): Do bear in mind that TP LIS-JNB flights are not always non-stop. I'm pretty sure that the JNB-LIS leg stops in Maputo.
TP does have both options, flying LIS-JNB-MPM-LIS and/or LIS-MPM-JNB-LIS. So basically you could fly LIS - JNB - LIS on both ways nonstop.
Quoting Lxlgu (Reply 2):
I would say go for SA as the nonstop is so much quicker
Quoting Aio86 (Thread starter): deciding between flying South Africa Airways on one of the non-stops from IAD.
SAA doesn't fly nonstop from IAD to JNB but direct with a stop in DKR on both ways.
I would still opt for South African Airways as from WAS they use the 346 which is a very good product (not only in Business).
Cheers
Smooth as silk - Royal Orchid Service /// Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens - Springbok
Dirkou From United States of America, joined Jun 2003, 571 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (6 years 2 months 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 2644 times:
If you want bad service, 1 stop in the way, an outdated airport in Lisbon and old flights attendants (in fact Air Portugal on long haul only has 40+ flight attendants due to union agreements) take TAP Portugal. If you want a world class airline then SAA is the way to go.
TAP1972 From Portugal, joined Dec 2003, 396 posts, RR: 3 Reply 6, posted (6 years 2 months 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 2547 times:
Quoting Dirkou (Reply 5): has 40+ flight attendants due to union agreements
Well you can see good looking 30 - flight attendants in the long haull flights of TAP.
I would take TAP if you upgrade to business class. The A340's of TAP are quite old so in economy class you won't have PTV's for example. In that cas going in Y class on a A346 might be better. If you upgrade to business class in TAP, then you'll have a flat bed, good food, good wine and entertainment. Plus you would be able to visit Lisbon
Umhlanga From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 128 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (6 years 2 months 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 2465 times:
SAA are doing IAD-JNB nonstop. But I recall that when they announced that nonstop flight several months ago, SAA mentioned that they would not fly IAD-JNB nonstop during the northern hemisphere summer, due to heat-imposed fuel load restrictions. The SAA timetable does not reflect this, so perhaps SAA have decided that it is possible to fly the route nonstop even with the Washington summer heat. Can anyone else shed some light on this?
CV990 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (6 years 2 months 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 2418 times:
Hi!
Even if "breaks my heart" I think you'll be better with SAA!!! They fly with the Airbus 340-600 and TP is still flying with the good old 300 model ( but the 312 one, not the 300E or 313X ), no PTV's....screens TV style all around the cabin but.....the TP crews are usually nice, they will serve you nice meals and nice wines/spirits too!!! If you look to your "aviation side" with TP you can stop at MPM and see some pretty unusual airplanes!!! But you will decide wisely!
Regards
Tiago701 From Portugal, joined Jun 2006, 157 posts, RR: 3 Reply 9, posted (6 years 2 months 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 2392 times:
Just for the chance of spending the day at beautiful Lisbon i think it's worth flying with TP to JNB.
The only days TP flies nonstop to JNB is Thursdays and Fridays but this departs at 18:45 and 19:05 respectively and not at 23:00. Tuesdays and Saturdays it departs at 23:00 but stops in MPM. All the return flights to LIS from JNB stop in MPM.
I never flew SAA but i think if you can upgrade to Business with TP and spend the day in Lisbon i wouldn't think twice! Just my opinion.
Tiago701 From Portugal, joined Jun 2006, 157 posts, RR: 3 Reply 10, posted (6 years 2 months 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 2367 times:
By the way, if you decide to book TP (flying from EWR) try to get the flight that arrives in LIS at 6:05 am (TP104) as this is an A330 with a much better economy cabin (with PTVs) than TP106 (arriving at 8:35 am) which is an old A310 with a much worse cabin.
Airbazar From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 6953 posts, RR: 7 Reply 11, posted (6 years 2 months 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 2273 times:
I'm basically just reiterating what everyone already said. For inflight ammenities and shorter trip time, fly SAA. But if you wish to visit Lisbon and break up your trip, fly TP. LIS is right in the city so you can be just about anywhere you want within minutes of landing. It's a small airport so the security lines are short and quick and basically means you don't have to get back to the airport until maybe an hour before your flight. That gives you almost an entire day at LIS to do whatever you want to do. You may even spend the day at the beach if you want to. Just hop on a train to Estoril/Cascais, spend the day at the beach, eat a nice seafood lunch by the water, then get back on your flight JNB
CV990 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 13, posted (6 years 2 months 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 2161 times:
Hi!
I agree with SandroZRH regarding ZRH and the city! I was at Kloten just 3 weeks ago and the airport is still one of my favourites, they have the terrace on B terminal were you spot the airplanes quite good with a nice Snack-Bar too, also they have the BuchAir shop with lot's of good stuff to buy. And regarding Zurich itself, it's a very cosmmopolitanean city, with awesome shops, great sights by the Zurich Lake and in a mere 15 minutes by train......but Lisbon is also a great place to visit, maybe a bit longer to get down town and you have to be aware of the rush hour...it can be really disturbing if you don't program well your visit, and you might lose you flight then!!!
Regards
Flying Belgian From Belgium, joined Jun 2001, 2366 posts, RR: 10 Reply 14, posted (6 years 2 months 20 hours ago) and read 2009 times:
Quoting Dirkou (Reply 5): If you want bad service, 1 stop in the way, an outdated airport in Lisbon and old flights attendants (in fact Air Portugal on long haul only has 40+ flight attendants due to union agreements) take TAP Portugal. If you want a world class airline then SAA is the way to go.
???
And it's an American who gives such a lesson ??
You need to see cute girls on board to compensate your home frustrations maybe ?
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