South African Airways (SAA) is replacing all of their Boeing 737-200's with Airbus A319 aircraft. To date, nine A319's have been delivered. The days of the B732's are numbered...

I've read in the Civil Aviation forum this morning, that a function will be held next month (June) to bid farewell to the B732's, which have served SAA faithfully for many years. Very soon, they will all be gone - it will be a sad day to see them go.

In light of the above, I decided to take a trip to experience the B732 for the last time (in SAA's livery, at least, luckily there are still some other airlines in South Africa with B732's on their fleet!), and to welcome its replacement, the A319. My trip was to Durban - on the outbound leg I would fly on a B732, and return on the new A319. How fitting!

The idea of this trip was not to compare the two types of aircraft with each other, since it would be unfair to compare old with new. I took the opportunity to evaluate the A319 and compare it with the Boeing 737-800, which is also on SAA's fleet, of course. I know it is not a direct comparison in terms of size. I rather concentrated on comfort, cabin noise levels, etc. Oh yes, I must add that it was my first time on an Airbus aircraft of any kind - that was a special and exciting moment for me!

OUTBOUND LEG:
Thursday, 28 April
Johannesburg (FAJS) to Durban (FADN)
Carrier: South African
Aircraft: Boeing 737-200, ZS-SIH "Kei"

It was interesting to fly on "Kei" since one of my friends has built a plastic model of this particular aircraft (OK, so I'm passionate about my hobby and a complete airliner freak). I got comfortable in seat 21F, and luckily the flight was not too full so I had the whole row to myself. Pushback was on time at 14:05, and a couple of minutes later we were airborne (taking off from rwy 21R). After cruising on FL290, we descended and landed on rwy 6 in Durban. Total flight time was 50 mins.

INBOUND LEG:
Thursday, 28 April
Durban (FADN) to Johannesburg (FAJS)
Carrier: South African
Aircraft: Airbus A319, ZS-SFI

Boarding begun later than scheduled, but pushback was still on time at 19:40. I chose seat 26A when I booked online...and got it. The A319 is slightly higher than a B737, I noticed (or it seems like you are sitting higher, at least). Still want to go and check the specs on both types. Take-off was powerful from rwy 24...we climbed to FL350 and headed straight for JNB. Once again the flight time was 50 mins and we landed on rwy 21L. We had to stop before crossing rwy 21R on our way to the terminal, to allow a SAA B744 to depart. It rotated at the moment I could see it, and boy was that a sight!

I liked the interior of the A319. As for cabin noise levels and comfort, it feels pretty much the same as the B737-800: not better, not worse. The A319 is fitted with Recaro seats. I liked the concept of a built-in cup holder (inside the tray) when the tray is in the stored position. Sometimes you are finished eating but still have your drink left, but you want to fold the tray away to read a magazine, etc.

The SAA B737-200's will sadly be missed...I think SAA has received good service out of them. Times are moving on, and the Airbus A319 seems like a good replacement. Hopefully it will prove itself as a worthy & faithful aircraft too!