Flight Report: SA204 JFK-JNB

JFK-DKR-JNB Service (SA204)

Carrier: South African Airways

Plane Model: A340-300

Flight Class: Business Class

Sleeper Seat: Yes

Duration of Flight: 17 Hrs

Date of Travel: November 16, 2006

Check in was a breeze. South African Airways (SAA) uses the Varig lounge at JFK Terminal 4 which was just an ordinary lounge offering cold sandwiches and beverage refreshments. I stayed for a light refreshment before heading to the gate.

Boarding commenced shortly after I arrived at the gate. It was a smooth process. The standard pre-departure procedure ensued. The beverages (OJ, champagne or water) were served, then the hot towels followed by the menu. The captain announced that the flight time was going to be 17 hours, with an hour layover in Dakar, Senegal for refueling.

Menu for JFK - DKR:

Appetizer: Prawn and Avocado Appetizer, Seasonal Salad

Main Course: Grilled Fillet of Beef, Chicken Breast Korma, Chilean Sea Bass, Artichoke Ravioli.

Cheese Plate

Dessert: Tiramisu

I opted for the Chicken Korma dish and it was delicious. Its portion size however was the size of the appetizer as well as the salad. The dessert choice (tiramisu) was delicious too.

The seat was very comfortable - a pod style lie flat seat unlike those angled lie flat ones offered by many carriers in their premium cabins. The blanket was thicker than those offered on other airlines (much like a dawn blanket). Flight attendants working on this flight were attentive and professional. However they lacked the warmth in the service rendered.

Our one hour stop in Dakar, Senegal was an unforgettable one. Johannesburg bound passengers were not requested to deplane and we were allowed to move around in the cabin. I placed my camera on the side of my seat and went to the lavatory. When I returned to my seat 5 minutes later, the camera was gone. Apparently the cleaner who worked in the premium cabin took it. Some suspected that it was the passenger seated next to me. That would not be the case since he was a guy I knew from my company. In fact he was the one who told me that the cleaner came and played around with my headset which was plugged on top of the side compartment where my camera was placed. While all measures were taken to recover my camera (including conducting a bodysearch on all the cleaners), my camera was no where to be found. I am in the process of seeking a fair compensation from SAA to replace my stolen camera. Some wished me luck in that. This was not a good start to my trip!

We took off and a light and fast breakfast was served shortly after that. It consisted of yogurt, sliced fresh fruit and a choice of flap jacks or omelette. After breakfast I dozed off for a few more hours, trying very hard to forget about my camera.

Prior to arrival a light meal was served. We arrived earlier than scheduled and my checked luggage was one of the first to come out. It was not stolen surprisingly.

Overall a good flight save the camera theft incident.