eastafspot From France, joined Jan 2008, 473 posts, RR: 4 Posted (3 months 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 8495 times:
Hamjambo A.netters,
TRIP PLANNING
2012 represented the year of the Boeing 787 Dream)liner, so me too i wanted to log it especially in Africa. The only options with Ethiopian from/to DXB or JNB resulted on choosing the latter mainly for schedule reasons.
Thus, I've initially booked a JNB-ADD-EBB-KGL in business class, but begin of November, Airlineroute.net released a grim news sent by Ethiopian. It was devastating.
Just in case, an email was sent for confirmation and for eventually modifying the dates if it could suit otherwise, unfortunately i had planned to spent the new year's day in Kigali.
A refund was processed in no time and i booked a Rwandair ticket in economy to Dar Es Salaam (for pricing reason as you know) EUR 5 more expensive than ET but avoiding a long layover in ADD or an insane night flight.
In Africa for few weeks, there was enough time to experience new airlines especially one recently launched. Here is the routing:
1) Johannesburg – Kigali; Rwandair – Economy
2) Mwanza – Dar Es Salaam; FastJet – Economy
3) Dar Es Salaam – Kigoma; Air Tanzania – Economy
For those of you not accustomed with the region, GCmap provides a great sum up:
.
1) Rwandair's flagship route: JNB-KGL
.
Friday the 28th of December,
Johannesburg – Kigali
Distance: 1666 miles
Rwandair WB101
Boeing 737-800 9XR-WG
ETD/ETA: 8h30 – 12h30
ATD/ATA: 8h36 – 12h14
Following a lay over around the airport, back to O.R. Tambo at 6h40.
We are far beyond from the usual African standards: so clean, so shiny, so bright...
Lining up at check – in desks at the terminal B 2h prior the departure, where only one counter has been opened.
"it's gonna take ages" whines the Ugandan passenger before me and he was right.
.
After 35 minutes and many people jumping off the queue, Rwandair decided finally to open a second counter, 10 min then-after another one, basically at the end of the queue.
Check in was a breeze with the bag tagged up to Kigali instead of Dar, and with the short amount of time left, i've rushed to the observation deck landside pretty quiet and the sun was dazzling through the panes.
Oliver Reginald Tambo
Domestic routes
Time to go to the immigration at 7h40, 5 little minutes before the boarding process. Just behind me a french couple with her daughter on the SA74 flight, (after a quick peek on their BP) was complaining about one of the officer, who, noticing that the queue increased ["took his time"and] set up properly the lanes to regulate correctly the flow of traffic.
As the officer left his desk, the couple implied this lazy guy was going on his break. Moreover few travellers of my flight asked to be ushered out, worried to miss the flight whom boarding was about to start, made the lady moaning even more by saying they to wake up earlier! Strange attitude.
More birds on the way to the gate
I've never believed that JNB was so vast, it took a further 15 minutes to reach the correct gate A22.
Which airline goes to Kolwezi?
At 8h little bus' ride among the latecomers enabled to step inside the aircraft. There were just two pax in business whilst in economy only a handful of seats remained vacant. (price is nearly the same as Ethiopian but the direct route avoids a long layover and a night flight through ADD)
A commercial about the country of the thousand hills and then Airshow got activated
Seat TIMCO B1011 very confortable with modern colours
Not in use
Average recline
Inzozi = dreams
A nice place to go?
The fleet
The network
One hour after the departure the crew distributed a tray loaded with a hot breakfast meal ( no hot/cold towel beforehand)
In a win-win deal, i swapped my muffin against a mango yogurt and a fruit salad.
The omelet, filled with cheese, was delicious, the fruit salad quiet disappointing because the fruits, tough, were not riped and tasteless.
I drunk coffee, and for the sake of checking the bar menu, the flight attendant only offered white or red wine ( in another way it was 10h am)
My funny neighbour did not eat much and left most of the breakfast, alleging for dietetic reasons.
However this Nigerian lady pulled out a packet of "full fat" crisps from her hand luggage, once trays were removed.
She explained also that Rwandair was her third choice as South African and Arik, operated at full capacities over the festive season. Actually, during the check-in and immigration, i remembered seeing many passports with the mention "ECOWAS", meaning that more and more travellers transit through the new hub. There were at least 5 wazungu too.
The rest of the flight was event-free
Looks like a LH A388
Not too much to see
Clean lavatory
First african airline with the Sky Interior
Lighting does not reach J
Half way through
Lake Tanganyika
At the top, the Sud Kivu Province in D.R. Of Congo
Bujumbura Airport - Burundi
Delta of the Ruzizi river (border of D.R.C. - Burundi)
eastafspot From France, joined Jan 2008, 473 posts, RR: 4 Reply 1, posted (3 months 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 8575 times:
2) FASTJET: newest East African's budget airline
For far too long, airline passengers in Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding S-A) have had to endure unreliable service, and a proper low cost carrier has been awaited in East Africa.
Although Fly540 was competitive in domestic markets, rumours which used to state that Kenya Airways would launch its own LC subsidiary named "Jambo" let anyone doubtful about the future of Fly540.
However, in November 2012 the dream came true when a deal enabled Fastjet to take progressively Fly540 over.
FastJest was established in part by Stelios Haji-Ioannou, known for founding the low-cost short haul airline easyJet,
Late January and until recently, western and local newspapers published existing troubles in the relationship that link FJ to 5H.
As Alex often writes: "after a short search, i believe this is the first report on A.net of this airline" .
Booking can be made on a user friendly website. According to how far is your travelling date, you must clear the bill either in one of their offices (airports/towns) or by using the mobile money payment developed by a phone operator, in a certain amount of time i.e. A booking for a travel within a month allows 2 days for paying, the minimum being 1h for a travel during the next 24h.
The morning of departure, i've simply showed up to buy the ticket, attitude that i would never adopt nowadays in Europe unless obliged.
This countryside airport is served by regular buses from anywhere in town for only TZS 400
From the bus stop at Mwanza
Air Tanzania and Bat Air Cargo (South Africa)
Inside the airport perimeter, there was a dedicated FJ office which was closed and i had to call for help.
Not really a good first impression!
A friendly staff pointed out 2 ladies at a desk at the left of the of the pre security check lanes.
They told me straight the price of TZS 123.000 payable in cash only. (Just in case you need, ATMs are available here)
One of the agents quickly handed over a hand written piece of paper with the reference and booking number while the queue kept extending.
Mwanza undergoes terminal extension works
The reservation/sale "office"
Compulsory for budget carrier
PNR
Still waiting for my turn at first security check, a middle age man, came to ask in Swahili my destination – DAR – , and if if had any carry on luggage – NO –.
Happy and satisfy, he requested me to help him by doing a huge favour, by carrying his green bucket full of smelly (and stinky) fishes from the Lake Victoria to his relative in the economic capital. He would reward me TZS 25.000 for this special "fret". Due the high(est?) fare paid for my ticket, i was ready to get some extra cash until some basic transportation rules popped up in my mind (did you pack you bag yourself...etc etc). Really, pity because he looked very honest, moreover someone else did him this favour and pocketed the money...
Great news as Air Tanzania should operate tonight.
BP obtained in no time in a outdated and crammed terminal, indeed Precision Air flight to Dar too, operated in B737 was processed at the same time.
Check-in desks for PW and FJ
BP
Luckily, once through the 2nd security boarding of FastJet was called, first families with infant and disabled passengers.
With the free seating rule, i tried to rush to be among the first inside the smaller bus. Unfortunately the 2nd abd bigger was faster arrived at the aircraft. What helped is the dispatcher who directed 75% of the passengers at the rear of the Airbus congested, i could step in from the front and get a window seat – oh yeah.
2 medium sized aircrafts and the airport is packed
Light stuffs
Humm, which type is it, a Caravelle?
The direct competitor (previously i flew MWZ-DAR with 5H-PAZ)
Tuesday the 12th of February,
Mwanza – Dar Es Salaam
Distance: 529 miles
FastJet FJ162
Airbus A319 5H-FJB
ETD/ETA: 8h45 – 10h15
ATD/ATA: 8h36 – 9h57 .
Warm welcome by a cute Tanzanian in a formal uniform and a senior pursuer wearing a casual jersey, called Jane originating from Liverpool.
When the latter saw me taking pictures more than any other Tanzanians/tourists, she offered to take one of mine...cool! I answered her i prefer from outside hence better at the end of the trip .
As the first row was reserved, time to settle down at 15F, and the cabin quickly filled up to reach a very good 90%. Cabin seems well maintained and seats can even recline.
A trace of the previous operators, some stickers written in french.
Captain Andrew informed us in English only that the plane was ready for taxiing behind the schedule followed by the safety demo in both Swahili and English.
Safety card mentioning "Operated by Fly540(T)", and 145y might refer to the number of seats.
After backtracking, T/O runway 12 and the cruising altitude was reached within 25 minutes.
Then, 2 well groomed stewards and 2 charming hostesses sprung into action.
BOB menu was moderately priced for an airline (budget) and expensive for local. I went for a coffee only in "African style" lol (=50% sugar, 40% Nido and 10 % coffee)
Out of date (of 2 weeks only) magazine
Just 2 routes for now, Mwanza and Kilimanjaro
Best joke ever: "How do you call an elephant that flies?"
The menu enough diversified
Gazing through the window
Seems to be the Tarangire National Park
The rest of the flight was uneventful until an hostess wondered why an overhead compartment was opened, she then almost yelled at my neighbour the only one standing up in the aisle.
With the same tone he was speaking to his kid, he told her to wait a bit, because his toddler (seated next to me) had pissed on his pant.
The parent did apologize but instead of heading off to the lavatory (equipped with a changing table), i presume being the best/most confortable place, he enterely undressed his boy in the middle of cabin and clean up the wet seat (remember the 15E). Ok then!
Galley
A no go seat for me: no window and next to the loo
Then commenced the descent and landing on time runway 5.
Soon this picture will be part of history, BA ceases connecting DAR to its network from 31st of March
Qatar Aiways
Kenya Airways 5Y-KYM
Upon disembarking, Jane pleased me with a last picture from outside ( facing the sun though ), Thank you. The rest of us also had to wait 10 minutes on the apron to be picked up by a second bus.
Many passengers did not miss the opportunity to snap few souvenirs with a the new East African low cost airline.
Facing the sun!
Douglas DC-3 Indigo Aviation 5H-LVR
Awesome tail
Cockpit crew relaxing
Now it's time for Jane to get some fresh air
.
Greedy Tanzanians?
Luggage reclaim
Landside
Before going in town i went to check my mails and purchase the evening ticket back to Mwanza with THE National Airline: Air Tanzania Company Limited.
Fly with Air Burundi, Air Tanzania, Air Uganda, Kenya Airways and Rwandair...Jumuiya ya Afrika mashariki
eastafspot From France, joined Jan 2008, 473 posts, RR: 4 Reply 2, posted (3 months 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 8502 times:
3) Air Tanzania: finally the right start?
ATCL is a bit in Tanzania what is aviation sector is DR of Congo: unpredictable and unreliable, with few notable incidents the past 2 years!
With a personal goal of flying all the east African state's owned airlines , the first attempt to try them was back in 2011.
When Miguel, a Dar Es Salaam based A.netter, (aka Migair) informed me about their current routes, i planned to write a TR comparing the new low cost carrier versus the venerable national airline.
So back to the airport, right after the Fastjet flight.
When inquiring about the price for the evening return, a very nice laid back lady in her 50's told me that there was no service today to Mwanza, before adding that is just temporary since 2 or 3 weeks only. So what???
For the audience of Airliners.net, no way to go back with the same airline or PW, so after enquiring the fare (TZS 195.000) to Kigoma i went to withdraw that amount in cash to learn when back to the office the price rose up to 220.000 in 15 minutes, jeez!
Anyhow, surprised and happy to see back in her office someone with so much obstinacy she suggested to make some phone calls to the reservation centre to lower down to the initial amount.
Whilst she was directed to the right person, we discussed about ATCL in general, she was deeply concerned and funny in the same time as most of her answers were rather evasive, and not fully aware about the short term projects. At least she was very professional and friendly.
My last question was why a ticket costs TZS 133.000 with "her" airline while FJ starts at 43.000 and PW at 98.000?
Frankly and confidently, she explained that ATCL offers a premium product where everything is included compared to others.
Oh well, with this glowing picture i thanked her and was looking forward to discover the Tanzanian "premium" the day after.
Like last time, i headed in bus for TZS 300 to the Riki Hill hotel in Kariakoo, because of the special East African citizens fares offering, for example, a self contained room at USD 15 instead of 36.
Now, a couple of shots from the city of Dar aviation-related
The central market: Inspired by or inspiring for the airport architecture?
The control tower of the harbour
A taxi dropped me off at 5h35
Despite an aggressive agent, first security as a breeze.
Counters only buzzing around PW lanes and South African one.
Check-in done in 2 minutes and an agent added that load will be below 50 %
Departure hall reached the minute after a 2nd security, the architecture reminds me the market in town isn't it? So what was built first?
Terminal is so basic, one shop (not even duty free) and a cafeteria, that is it!
Even for spotting they complicated the situation with the double pane
No more ATCL???
Busy morning
PW to Mwanza
When PW flights were departed, lot of choice for seating
Some art
Too many feedbacks received or no more comments allowed?
Still no TC118 displayed
boarding was called 10 min before the ETD via gate 7 leading to an uncompleted jet-bridge.
Interresting visitor: Volga Dnepr Antonov AN-124-100. RA-82043
Wednesday, the 13th of February,
Dar Es Salaam – Kigoma
Distance: 670 miles
Air Tanzania TC118
Dash 8-300 5H-MWF
ETD/ETA: 7h00 – 9h30
ATD/ATA: 7h04 – 9h22
We were warmly greeted by a lady dressed up with a yellow and blue uniform.
Pink headrest covers not really matching with the seats
With the free seating rule, i walked back to the row before the last, due to some staff belongings.
19 passengers took part of this flight including an ATCL staff (off duty?) and a kid.
Safety annoucements in Swahili and English:
Safety card from the stone age: what are those electronic devices?
Welcoming message from the flight deck giving us the flying time of 2h15 and the altitude of 24.000 ft, and taxiing on time despite the late boarding.
Take off runway 5, and then left turn to the west.
35 min after the service began slowly, hostesses served hot drinks (cold on request only) first
and then the B-box containing a white bread roll and a salted butter to everyone apart from the ATCL staff a row before me, the Asian passenger at my right and myself. For the latter bread was brought over in a plastic tray.
On row 14, he got a hot meal.
Juice on request, breakfast a bit stingy for 2H15
The older attendant seeing my disappointment asked if i would like another bread but plain (she added there was no butter left), proposition that i've accepted. she brought over not only the bread but also the butter and a tasty strawberry preserve too. It was stunning that she did the extra mile thank you!
Second round, without tray though.
Once all trashes were collected, they gossiped and enjoyed a mouthwatering breakfast smelling all over the cabin. I was really disgusted, not because they've got a better meal (that they truly deserve during a such early departure like this), but rather because i could see and smell it. I should have changed seat and moved forward.
No window cover
Few turbulence and time to start the descent towards Kigoma Airport.
Seconds before touchdown a great news appeared as seeing the runway being resurfaced.
For the rest nothing has evolved since the last visit.
Everybody wisely waited for the seatbelt sign
Local team in the cockpit
Resurfacing works in progress
ATC
Refuelling
Luggage carrousel
Still there
My ride view from landside
CONCLUSION
RWANDAIR:
Aircraft brand new with drop down TVs showing the airshow, i was expecting a bit more as shown in the magazine.
The cabin crew was good but not great, especially the hostess who was quiet slow and never cracked a smile in opposite to her male counterpart
The breakfast was ok, maybe some bread or pastry would be appreciable.
I would not hesitate to fly again with Rwandair.
FASTJET:
Due to the booking system's restrictions, i had to pay a (almost?) full fare. This will always occur if you are far away from any office/airport served or don't have their mobile phone payment system.
The full fare represents USD 87, nearly 4 times what they advertise and obviously expensive for a local, but reasonable for a westerner.
The cabin looks well maintained and seats can be adjusted, the menu is sufficient for 65 min flight on average on their current network and affordable.
Finally, a big thumbs up to the wonderful cabin crew eager to leave a good impression.
AIR TANZANIA:
Well, what to say???
Its main advantage is the direct flight to Kigoma rather than the (very short) stop over at Mwanza with Precision Air. For the rest, unless being patriotic, i don't see any other tangible reason, despite what the charming booking agent revealed me the day before.
Thanks for reading, now feel free to comment or improve anything .
Quoting eastafspot (Reply 2):
For the audience of Airliners.net, no way to go back with the same airline or PW, so after enquiring the fare (TZS 195.000) to Kigoma i went to withdraw that amount in cash to learn when back to the office the price rose up to 220.000 in 15 minutes, jeez!
Ha, well. they know you want the ticket, so why not raise the price!?
abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4918 posts, RR: 55 Reply 5, posted (3 months 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 7456 times:
What a fantastic report. You truly are the best reporter for anything African. We just need you now to go and write pioneering reports in West Africa! I remain amazed at Air Tanzania and the paper ticket and the card stock boarding pass. I have those from the 1980s and don't think they have changed since then! FastJet seems poised to do well. I cannot wait for its expansion plans.
Thanks a lot for sharing.
Saludos,
Alex
PS: WB keeps impressing me with their ever evolving network. While I am not a plan of their IATA-consulting drafted network, it will be interesting to see where they end up ...
RussianJet From Kazakhstan, joined Jul 2007, 6294 posts, RR: 23 Reply 6, posted (3 months 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 7403 times:
Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): he requested me to help him by doing a huge favour, by carrying his green bucket full of smelly (and stinky) fishes from the Lake Victoria to his relative in the economic capital. He would reward me TZS 25.000 for this special "fret". Due the high(est?) fare paid for my ticket, i was ready to get some extra cash until some basic transportation rules popped up in my mind (did you pack you bag yourself...etc etc). Really, pity because he looked very honest, moreover someone else did him this favour and pocketed the money...
I know you did the right thing and turned him down, but PLEASE don't even THINK of doing such a thing anywhere.
✈ Don't like it? That's just your tough chuff. ✈
SYDSpotter From Australia, joined Oct 2012, 114 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (3 months 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 7115 times:
Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): 2012 represented the year of the Boeing 787 Dream)liner, so me too i wanted to log it especially in Africa. The only options with Ethiopian from/to DXB or JNB resulted on choosing the latter mainly for schedule reasons.
Bummer ! And with the current grounding, no one will be flying them in the immediate future. Hopefully Boeing sort the issues out and the 787's are back in the air soon.
Thanks again for a great trip report. You are certainly A.Net's resident East Africa trip reporter Always enjoy reading your reports and seeing pics from the region. Would love the visit the area again after my Kilimanjaro trip last year. Good to also see some more competition within Tanzania.
adamspotter From Netherlands, joined Feb 2011, 784 posts, RR: 2 Reply 13, posted (3 months 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 6643 times:
Hi Leonard,
As always fantastic report and great to see some more domestic African flights.
Quite impressed with Rwandair here, nice and beautiful interior!
Interesting to see a report on Fastjet, they seem quite OK for a LCC.
Air Tanzania seems to be the less of the 3 here, not too impressed.
dc9northwest From Romania, joined Feb 2007, 1735 posts, RR: 4 Reply 16, posted (3 months 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 6474 times:
Leonard,
Nice to see a report from East Africa (again).
It's interesting for me to read such report--hadn't really seen FastJet in action, and didn't know Rwandair had gotten their new 738s with Sky Interior. Well done.
Air Tanzania... Well, at least they got you there--don't see any reason to pick them over the competition either, I'm afraid.
IIRC Rwandair (Express) used to lease some MD-80s from a Romanian company, AFAIK. One of my friend's father might have even piloted these aircraft for them for a while (I know he worked in Africa, but not sure exactly when and where).
I like that "ticketing office" of FastJet--actually reminds me of a shop where I used to get sodas and candy in rural Romania in the 90s. Haha.
Cheers Leonard, and hope to see more of these, shall we say, uncommon, trip reports!
Quoting dc9northwest (Reply 16): It's interesting for me to read such report--hadn't really seen FastJet in action,
Did you know that they are backed by the EasyJet founder?
Quoting dc9northwest (Reply 16): and didn't know Rwandair had gotten their new 738s with Sky Interior. Well done.
and they are owner of them, no leasing for those two - yeah .
Quoting dc9northwest (Reply 16): IIRC Rwandair (Express) used to lease some MD-80s from a Romanian company, AFAIK
Yes a MD80 was part of its fleet hence you might be very right, do you remember the company's name?
Quoting dc9northwest (Reply 16): I like that "ticketing office" of FastJet--actually reminds me of a shop where I used to get sodas and candy in rural Romania in the 90s
LOL
Quoting dc9northwest (Reply 16): Cheers Leonard, and hope to see more of these, shall we say, uncommon, trip reports!
I'll do my best
Hello Debonair, thank you for your support
Quoting debonair (Reply 17): Fantastic TR - great to read from such exotic carriers!
Glad to see you've enjoyed!
Quoting debonair (Reply 17): Two years ago I was in DAR for spotting
Have you tried the Let410 on Dar-ZNZ route during that time?
Quoting debonair (Reply 17): unbelievable how much have changed since then, I think I have to return shortly for another trip...
TAA plans an airport extension, but i bet you have time to come back here at least twice or thrice before they start anything. Anyway let me know if decide to go there...
Fly with Air Burundi, Air Tanzania, Air Uganda, Kenya Airways and Rwandair...Jumuiya ya Afrika mashariki
sjacob From Uganda, joined Apr 2009, 41 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (3 months 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 6108 times:
And there goes the advetures of Sir Leonard a.k.a. eastafspot.......Absolutely lovely trip report, so good to read something from within Africa.
JNB, so out of Africa, though something about still makes it look African...
WB...now you guys are on the right road...with connections to West Africa, WB will give KQ a run for their money. Hope they grow faster and hope they continue to maintain the good safety records.
FJ really looks great and the lively super, I hope they are here for the long run as you can imagine, African airlines come and go......
Air Tanzania, I am actually surprised to see them operate, I thought they were out of business completely but anyway, they have huge competition from PW..May be a merger would give the national airline better results...
Hmmm...am in shock over BA's termination of DAR...however, that was expected because of their draconian policies of requiring even transit passengers (Africans) to have Transit Visas...The GCC will throw them out of Africa totally if they continue with their old fashioned trends.
The Luggage carrousel at Kigoma airport is the winner, i still dont know how it works because I dont think it is able to run around or rotate....Anyway, domestic airports in Africa are out of this world...
eastafspot From France, joined Jan 2008, 473 posts, RR: 4 Reply 20, posted (3 months 4 days ago) and read 5979 times:
Hello Jacob, nice to see you are still around
Quoting sjacob (Reply 19): Absolutely lovely trip report, so good to read something from within Africa.
Thank you so much for your support which is much appreciated
Quoting sjacob (Reply 19): JNB, so out of Africa, though something about still makes it look African...
Yeah... few scams outside for taxis or other services LOL
Quoting sjacob (Reply 19): .with connections to West Africa, WB will give KQ a run for their money.
+1, prices are on average between 25 up to 40 % cheaper, for most of the time an equivalent travelling time
Quoting sjacob (Reply 19): Hope they grow faster and hope they continue to maintain the good safety records.
I regret they terminate the partnership with Air Uganda, hope it will be restored
Quoting sjacob (Reply 19): African airlines come and go......
It is so true Man... very good analysis, i hope they quickly open up Entebbe route dominated by KQ/PW pair
Quoting sjacob (Reply 19): I thought they were out of business completely but
How many times did they reborn... countless times... people are fed up of their cancellations and "crashes". your idea is good about a merger but what about the national pride? as PW being partially owned by the biggest EA rival country: KENYA
Think as politician mate
Quoting sjacob (Reply 19): am in shock over BA's termination of DAR
Do you forget that VS pulled out from NBO few months ago?
i do agree with Gulf Carriers, also TK recently open JRO
Quoting sjacob (Reply 19): The Luggage carrousel at Kigoma airport is the winner, i still dont know how it works because I dont think it is able to run around or rotate
great report with many nice pictures, what a nice surprise you had for us this time!
Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter):
1) Johannesburg – Kigali; Rwandair – Economy
2) Mwanza – Dar Es Salaam; FastJet – Economy
3) Dar Es Salaam – Kigoma; Air Tanzania – Economy
Excellent choice - great to see a Fastjet review here!
Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): We are far beyond from the usual African standards: so clean, so shiny, so bright...
CPT is even better, isn't it?
Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): The omelet, filled with cheese, was delicious, the fruit salad quiet disappointing because the fruits, tough, were not riped and tasteless.
Wow, that looks really good!
Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): Still waiting for my turn at first security check, a middle age man, came to ask in Swahili my destination – DAR – , and if if had any carry on luggage – NO –.
Happy and satisfy, he requested me to help him by doing a huge favour, by carrying his green bucket full of smelly (and stinky) fishes from the Lake Victoria to his relative in the economic capital. He would reward me TZS 25.000 for this special "fret". Due the high(est?) fare paid for my ticket, i was ready to get some extra cash until some basic transportation rules popped up in my mind (did you pack you bag yourself...etc etc). Really, pity because he looked very honest, moreover someone else did him this favour and pocketed the money..
Ah, I'm glad you refused!
Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): When the latter saw me taking pictures more than any other Tanzanians/tourists, she offered to take one of mine...cool! I answered her i prefer from outside hence better at the end of the trip
debonair From Germany, joined Jan 2004, 2098 posts, RR: 4 Reply 22, posted (3 months 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 5864 times:
Quoting eastafspot (Reply 18): Have you tried the Let410 on Dar-ZNZ route during that time?
YES! I flew ZAN AIR's LET410 DAR-ZNZ; Stonetown the capitol of Zanzibar is a "must-see-in-lifetime-city"! WOW!
On top, I flew with fly540's Dash8-100 (without seatbelt!)... Great adventure!
Tanzania was (is?) a real LET410 heaven: ZAN AIR, Air Excel, Tropical Air...
lukeyboy95 From Papua New Guinea, joined Apr 2008, 951 posts, RR: 35 Reply 23, posted (3 months 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 5863 times:
Hi Leonard,
Always excellent to get a really good impression of East African aviation from you know. It is clearly going to boom someday soon, I suppose as soon as there is enough disposable income and efficient management!
I also saw you references me in a report a while back. I am so busy travelling at the moment, but thanks so much, and I hope I get round to reading it someday soon!
Quoting debonair (Reply 22): On top, I flew with fly540's Dash8-100 (without seatbelt!)... Great adventure!
You are very lucky indeed
Quoting debonair (Reply 22): Stonetown the capitol of Zanzibar is a "must-see-in-lifetime-city"! WOW!
totally agree, especially for the culture and history
Quoting debonair (Reply 22): Tanzania was (is?) a real LET410 heaven: ZAN AIR, Air Excel, Tropical Air...
Maybe you can inform me how to find the flights with the let410, most of the time they display the Cessna Caravan?
Lukeyboy95
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 23): Always excellent to get a really good impression of East African aviation from you know
Thanx Luke glad to read your are convinced about their products
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 23): It is clearly going to boom someday soon, I suppose as soon as there is enough disposable income and efficient management!
the middle class is vastly growing and will play an important part
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 23): but thanks so much, and I hope I get round to reading it someday soon!
You are very welcome, take your time
The777man
Quoting The777Man (Reply 24): Thanks for another great report with great pictures!
thanks you so much
Quoting The777Man (Reply 24): Too bad it didn't work out for you to fly the 787 with Ethiopian but WB looks very good here!
Such is life, and it will be difficult for the next weeks too
Quoting The777Man (Reply 24): I'm not so sure how long FastJet will last so good idea to try them out.
debonair From Germany, joined Jan 2004, 2098 posts, RR: 4 Reply 26, posted (3 months 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 5318 times:
Quoting eastafspot (Reply 25): Maybe you can inform me how to find the flights with the let410, most of the time they display the Cessna Caravan?
You have to play with the excellent booking engine on http://www.zanair.com and you will find some selected flights, like ZNZ-DAR or Arusha-ZNZ with the LET410.
MHTripple7 From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 1050 posts, RR: 5 Reply 28, posted (3 months 17 hours ago) and read 4799 times:
Hey eastafspot!
Great trip report, I had been curious about WB's operation since they acquired the new 737-800s. Looks like they run a tight ship, and I'm definitely impressed with what I see. I think they have a chance to be one of the stars of African aviation.
Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): The omelet, filled with cheese, was delicious, the fruit salad quiet disappointing because the fruits, tough, were not riped and tasteless.
I drunk coffee, and for the sake of checking the bar menu, the flight attendant only offered white or red wine ( in another way it was 10h am)
Wow, very generous portions for a flight of such a duration.
Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): i booked a Rwandair ticket in economy to Dar Es Salaam (for pricing reason as you know)
With all the inconveniences taken into account, I wish ET had rebooked you into Business with Rwandair.
Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): We are far beyond from the usual African standards: so clean, so shiny, so bright...
So where the mysteriously attractive African atmosphere goes?
Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): "it's gonna take ages" whines the Ugandan passenger before me and he was right.
Quoting eastafspot (Thread starter): Moreover few travellers of my flight asked to be ushered out, worried to miss the flight whom boarding was about to start, made the lady moaning even more by saying they to wake up earlier! Strange attitude.
Indeed! What if they happened to be connecting passengers? There was no point to wake up early if you were on board of a late arriving aircraft. Why would it be so difficult for the officers to understand the situation?
Quoting eastafspot (Reply 2): The older attendant seeing my disappointment asked if i would like another bread but plain (she added there was no butter left), proposition that i've accepted. she brought over not only the bread but also the butter and a tasty strawberry preserve too. It was stunning that she did the extra mile thank you!
Air Tanzania is one of a kind, but she did make her airline! Kudos to her!
sjacob From Uganda, joined Apr 2009, 41 posts, RR: 0 Reply 31, posted (2 months 4 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 4354 times:
Hi hi bro,
Quoting eastafspot (Reply 20): Do you forget that VS pulled out from NBO few months ago?
i do agree with Gulf Carriers, also TK recently open JRO
Yes, I guess passenger numbers were fast falling...
By the way, last week, I received an email from KLM telling me they are going to start Daily flights to EBB starting this March. Am nt sure if they will fly to KGL daily as well though, but I was so happy about this news.
Quoting MHTripple7 (Reply 28): Looks like they run a tight ship, and I'm definitely impressed with what I see
Me too, they are celebrating their 10th birthday actually
Quoting MHTripple7 (Reply 28): I think they have a chance to be one of the stars of African aviation.
If they manage to get a 787, they will probably be .
Suryo
Quoting akhmad (Reply 29): You’re undoubtedly the best reporter of Africa!
ahah, i'm truly honoured by this compliment, thanks
Quoting akhmad (Reply 29): I wish ET had rebooked you into Business with Rwandair.
Well i have serious doubts about that, as even when they cancelled a flight few years ago (not for unforeseen event), they told me to find the alternative first and then to come back to them so they could book it for me...
Quoting akhmad (Reply 29): So where the mysteriously attractive African atmosphere goes?
In the National Parks and Soweto .
Quoting akhmad (Reply 29): Why would it be so difficult for the officers to understand the situation?
i'm so sorry if it was unclear, the officer did nothing wrong, he let them come in priority. The french couple standing in the line was complaining about the officer and the passengers in hurry. I bet the couple had enough time before their own flight thus, no need to moan about everybody.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 29): Cool! How did you get the seat type?
Do they really need it? It was not that long before that .
Quoting akhmad (Reply 29): Whoever designed the parrot logo, I love it!
The African Grey Parrot considered to be one of the most intelligent animals on the planet, in African mythology it’s said to be one on the kindest and most generous-hearted. It’s also a very common family pet across Africa, so it has a real resonance
Quoting akhmad (Reply 29): Nevertheless, you did the right thing for not doing the guy the favor.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 29): Air Tanzania is one of a kind, but she did make her airline! Kudos to her!
Yes and no, why she has never offered or suggested some jam initially???
Alex
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 30): I have a very long way to go before being a "mwalimu" of any sort.
Not really , any consulting commitments expected soon in Africa? Or any plans to visit Kenya's East Coast?
Quoting sjacob (Reply 31): By the way, last week, I received an email from KLM telling me they are going to start Daily flights to EBB starting this March
Really, you've just taught me something thanks, they looks having healthy loads in that region.
Jacob
Quoting sjacob (Reply 31): but I was so happy about this news.
Great news indeed despite not having the best onboard product, how much costs a ticket to EBB compared to EK or QR?
Phillip
Quoting OA260 (Reply 32):
Hi great report
Thanks Phillip, glad to see you've enjoyed it
Always nice to see something new and different.
again thanks, that is diversity which makes the charm of this world
Fly with Air Burundi, Air Tanzania, Air Uganda, Kenya Airways and Rwandair...Jumuiya ya Afrika mashariki
migair54 From Spain, joined Jun 2007, 1279 posts, RR: 0 Reply 34, posted (2 months 3 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 3976 times:
Awesome report man... I hope you can get on the B787 soon...
Mwanza airport has been open for solicitor to build a new one but it been a couple of years since then and nothing has happened, same with the new T-3 in DAR, it was plan, they clean the land and they build a "fence" but now it´s no longer even written there.... so I´m not sure what will happen but DAR is becoming very small for the amount of traffic that is going thru and the future is bright, I think soon it will be very constrained.
ATCL is full or rumors but now with PW and Fastjet the future is not very bright for them, people know that they are not reliable and it´s becoming more and more difficult to get passengers on their flights.
it has been made possible with your precious advices
Quoting migair54 (Reply 34): Mwanza airport has been open for solicitor to build a new one but it been a couple of years since then and nothing has happened, same with the new T-3 in DAR, it was plan, they clean the land and they build a "fence" but now it´s no longer even written there.... so I´m not sure what will happen but DAR is becoming very small for the amount of traffic that is going thru and the future is bright, I think soon it will be very constrained.
For DAR, it's quiet surprising, but in general what's wrong with project in Tanzania, as at ZNZ the new terminal being built by a Chinese Company, has not moved from an inch since 2011, the cranes are here, but not worker or improvement, any idea on these matters?
Quoting migair54 (Reply 34): ATCL is full or rumors but now with PW and Fastjet the future is not very bright for them
Was the government not looking for (and found?) new investors with some great plans such as new aircrafts, new destinations etc etc?
Always nice to read the knowledge from someone local
Thanks again for your help beforehand and for your comment now
You produced some fascinating stuff once again, many thanks for that! 3 relatively unknown airlines, the African laidback lifestyle, it all made up to a great read. Good to see you had 3 nice flights and I was kinda surprised to see Rwandair having a relatively modern fleet, especially the B738 you flew! Fastjet doesn't seem half that bad either and I very much liked the tail of the Tanzanian plane - with the giraf. Some thoughts or course:
to make it simple: yes, but the original meaning/translation is " someone constantly on the move " or " someone who wanders without purpose"... but nothing offensive or discriminatory
Quoting sultanils (Reply 36): A familiar airline for you as well, right?
yeah they are really good
Quoting sultanils (Reply 36): Thanks for considering us in your planning, you're too good
Always with pleasure, you are welcome!
Quoting sultanils (Reply 36): Ha ha, lovely! As if an African would never have seen a modern PC or CD player
Exactly my thoughts, glad to see you've found this funny
Fly with Air Burundi, Air Tanzania, Air Uganda, Kenya Airways and Rwandair...Jumuiya ya Afrika mashariki
thegreatRDU From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 2274 posts, RR: 3 Reply 38, posted (2 months 2 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 2999 times:
Hello my friend!,
Very nice TR...
Truly a rare Trip Report,
Sidenote/rant:, I am rooting for fastjet but their future success and growth will be contingent upon continued harmonization of African countries/ regional blocs aviation policies...
Quoting thegreatRDU (Reply 38): I am rooting for fastjet but their future success and growth will be contingent upon continued harmonization of African countries/ regional blocs aviation policies...
So true, that's why their expansion might take ages, if it does happen...
Fly with Air Burundi, Air Tanzania, Air Uganda, Kenya Airways and Rwandair...Jumuiya ya Afrika mashariki
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, not surprised at all!
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LOL
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It is so true Man... very good analysis, i hope they quickly open up Entebbe route dominated by KQ/PW pair
+1
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Sultanils
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