12 December 2001
Durban to Johannesburg
South African Airways SA578 19h00
Boeing 737-800 Seat 11F
Pilot: Capt Green

Today is a day I thought would never come - the day my Chistmas holidays start away from the stresses at work.
Arrived at the newly refurbished Durban International Airport which I must admit is vast improvement with a new shopping area and a feeling of space. Checked in at around 18h00 which was fairly efficient (received boarding passes and checked luggage through to Edinburgh) and security involved the full pat-down. Looking out on the tarmac the 738 (with winglets) sitting gleaming as we just had a tropical downpour. Boarding started at 18h30. The flight was not full - approx 60%. Push-back commenced at about 18h55. Take off was powerful and relativly short - about 20 seconds.
It was'nt long before the efficient flight attendents were handing out meals. Being a short flight (aroung 60 minutes) it was just a snack consisting of a cheese & ham roll, a large chocolate chip biscuit and an appletiser to drink.
Leg-room was fairly generous and the seat comfortable. Also an in-flight video (practical jokes) was played on hang-down popout screens. It wasn't before long we landed in JNB at 19H52.

12 December 2001
Johannesburg to London (Heathrow)
South African Airways SA226 21H35
Boeing 747-300 "Ndinzani" Seat 38C
Pilot: Capt. de Wet

Johannesburg International is another airport that has been upgraded in the last few years - looking pretty smart. In checking what gate the aircraft leaves from I realize its at the furtherest air-bridge, but I did'nt mind as the corridors looked out over the apron. Getting close to the gate I could'nt believe sitting at the gate was the multi-coloured plane done for the 1996 Olympic Games. Boarding commenced at 21h00. It was'nt before long before the economy section was packed. Business class was about half full. Room was OK with a barely acceptable amount of leg-room. Push back was at 21h32 and take off was slow but powerful - unlike the 738 which had quite a kick when the captain accellerated.
Not being one of the younger aircraft it lacked PTV's but luckily had a good view of the screen.
About 10 minutes into the flight drink orders were taken and menus were handed out.
Just before dinner our attendent came around with hot towels to freshen up with. Dinner consisted a choice of Mixed Greek Salad, a choice of Braised Beef Rump with seasonal vegetables and creamed potatoes or Marinated Grilled Chicken Breast with vegetables and savoury rice. This is followed by Wildberry cheesecake, cheese & crackers and coffee. I opted for the beef and selected a good Cape Merlot wine . All in all, it was not bad at all - vegetables being on the undercooked side.
By this time it was about 23h30 and an episode of Frasier was being played.
This being a long flight of about 11and a half hours, the night only consisted of a few naps. The F/A's came around every 90 minutes or so with orange juice or water for the light sleepers.
With arrival expected at 06h50 at LHR everyone was promply woken at 05h00 with more hot towels. Soon after breakfast was served which consisted of orange juice, strawberry yoghurt, a nutty cereal, and main course of scrambled eggs, a beef sausage and a tomato salsa. This was followed by a Danish pastry with butter and preserve. A good cup of filter coffee finished it off.
After watching a show called "Cakes of the World" we prepared to landing. We touched down at 06h30 almost 25 minutes early. We had to sit for about 10 minutes as another plane was sitting in our bay.
To summarize it was an exetremely smooth flight, good food, reasonable space and helpful F/A's - excellent service all round.

13 December 2001
London Heathrow to Edinburgh
Bmi British Midland BD 52/SA 7620 08h30
Airbus A321 Seat 31A

Luckily Bmi leave Heathrow from Terminal 1 same as SAA so it did not complicate things. Went straight to the Bmi lounge and read a complimentary newspaper. Boarding commenced at 08h05. This flight was practically empty. I'm not sure what Bmi A321's seat but there were no more than 30 on board. Reasons unknown we pulled away late at 08h40 and we taxied around edges of the airport which took another 15 minutes. We got airborne after 09h00. The take-off was smooth and quiet, and with such a small load, a short take-off. Room was pretty generous and leg-room was ample.With such a small number of pax, the F/A's did'nt bother about trollies and handed out breakfast.
Flying over west coast, the Captain warned that Edinburgh was fogged in and a diversion to Glasgow was possible, but soon after clearance was given. Even so we landed in practically zero visibility, but releived to make it and to get some descent sleep. Service overall, not too bad.

11 January 2002
Edinburgh to London Heathrow
Bmi British Midland BD62/ SA7622 18H40
Airbus A320 Seat 20A

Arriving at the airport I noticed that the flight was delayed - this was a bit of a concern as my connecting flight to JNB was leaving at 21h05. While checking in I was told that London had been fogged in the afternoon and this was a knock on effect. While waiting nervously in the lounge, we were called at 19h20. I was thinking this was going to be close. Once again not a very full flight we pushed back at 19h45.
The flight itself was uneventful and landed at 20h35.

11 January 2002
London Heathrow to Johannesburg
South African Airways SA229 21h05
Beoing 747-200 "Lebombo" Seat 36C

Rushing through the terminal I groan as I hear my name being called. Just a quick glimpse for the gate number, and then literally sprinted down the corridors. The gate also being one of the furtherest. Puffing and panting there is a small reception committee at the gate saying "so there you are!"After a very brief explanation they did not seem to concerned, but then one realized and said "your cases are not going to make this flight". By the time I entered the cabin, it was 20h45.
I collapsed in my seat with a packed aircraft giving me the stare. Push back occurred about 5 minutes late
It was only at this time I realized I was sitting in one of the oldest planes in the SAA fleet - turning 31 this year. For such an old aircraft, the interior was in pristine condition.. Even though there were no PTV's, a few overhead LCD screens had been installed to compliment the main screen. Room was a little tighter than on 743, but bearable. Once again the flight went uneventful - food this time was a choice of roast turkey or a fish casserole. (I picked the turkey - a little dry but not too bad.)
The morning routine the same with hot towels to wake up with and the same good breakfast.
JNB was clear and landing was smooth. While taxing in, there were a few unusual aircraft on the ground - a Kazakh Airlines Il-76, a Russian An-124 (unfortunately could not see airline) and in a hanger the impounded Swissair MD-11 (it seemed like it was being worked on). No room at the air-bridges meant a remote stand and a ferry on a bus to the terminal.

12 January 2002
Johannesburg to Durban
South African Airways SA551 12h00
Boeing 737-200 "Kei" Seat 4F
Pilot: Capt Fernandez

After going through passport control, headed straight for baggage enquiries. Was attended to by a very pleasant SAA staffmember (Merrick was his name) who took all details and said it would be on tonights flight from London and would forwarded to Durban where it would be delivered to my door. Not thinking much about it I headed to the check-in for the final flight. The check-in agent (incidentily she looked like a super-model) suddenly said with surprise that I had been upgraded to Business. I myself was not expecting this was also taken aback. Anyway I felt I needed this after the previous days frustrations. Walking on board a glass of orange and champage was given, my jacket hung in a closet and promply given the morning edition of the Joburg Star. This flight too was 100% full. Space was unbelievable,even on the older 732's and was configered 3+2. Take-off commeced on time, with a Saudia 777 in front of us. Minutes after take-off more drinks and lunch was served. A proper table-cloth was laid, and lunch consisted of a grilled chicken breast and vegetables, a salad, a small french loaf and preserves, a chocolate cheese-cake, cheese and biscuits and to end it a huge truffle chocolate. We had to eat fast as this was only expected to be a 50 minute flight. (and real cutlery was used and cloth napkins) No soon after, the golden beaches of Durban were seen. Flew over the city centre and followed the coastline down to the airport.
A perfect end to a great holiday.
As promised the following day at 13h30 my case arrived intact. I must say that the service was outstanding - right up there with the best. Even though some of the aircraft are old they are very well maintained and a pleasure flying them.