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sshank · Member Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 377 Location: NYC

This was a long planned trip that has had at least two false starts. Finally, it was time to really go. Even the pesky Botswana visa finally arrived in time.

As I made it to JFK (which should easily win the most inaccessable airport in the US award), I was excited - this was really happening. Soon enough it was back to reality as I made my way to Terminal 4. The SA check in area was a big mess. All systems were down and the staff looked thoroughly confused with supervisors looking even more flummoxed. There was a bunch of DKR bound passengers who seem to have come in with everthing they own (including their neighbour's kitchen sink), all wrapped in saran wrap (it seems to be the latest fad among Africa bound passengers).

Eventually they figured out a way to get things going and I had my boarding pass.

As I walked to the gate I saw ZS_SXE (A340-300e) bring prepped
for the long haul. You can spot the AI 77L in the background.

Eventually boarding commenced for the 5:20 PM departure and we pushed back. This is rush hour at JFK and it we would be taking
the scenic route to 13R. We crawl past the other AI 77L.

After what seemed like days we finally make it to 13R - you can see the Jetblue Embraer just starting its roll.

The line up behind us for 13R - included world beaters such as Air Berlin, Air Tahiti Nui and Aerosvit.

Finally we were airborne about an hour after we pushed back and the crew began the dinner service. SA wines were on the menu and were surprisingly good.

The AVML appetizer!

After an efficient dinner service - it was time to relax a bit. The AVML catering out of JFK was good though not exceptional in any way, and service on this leg was professional (the service on the return was only adequate). The SA business class seat is among the best, the flat bed being a true lie flat - but the multiple segments of the seat that make up the bed do not all line up quite like a bed - and I feel I slept better on the narrower and (alteast on paper) inferior BA club seat. In any case, you really can get too comfortable because by the time your body goes to sleep - it is time to begin the descent to DKR. We pulled into a corner of the DKR airport apron at a local time of 5:00 AM and a New York time of 2:00 AM for what is essentially a fuel stop.

Looking out at DKR via the door 2L.

There is a cabin and flight crew change and the flight deck was abuzz with activity. The stop is billed as a one hour fuel stop - however, passengers are off-loaded and on this particular day there seemed to be a bunch of DKR bound passengers.

I used this time to talk to the flight crew who were a very friendly bunch. SAA 340s have a sleeper bunk right behind the cockpit for the relief pilot - and it looked pretty comfy.

There was a mix up with catering and 2 hours later we were still in Dakar. We had a full business class cabin and only 22 meals. We were short 14 and frantic gesturing takes place and a call to catering. Food trays are counted and recounted. Then we have the entrees and not enough desserts - so another call to catering.

Well, by now quite bright and its going to be hot and muggy day in Dakar. For a second I think I am in MAA.

Another view of the Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport at Dakar - said to be a strong contender for the Worst Airport in the World title. The touts and hustlers there are supposedly among the best in the business. I suppose that's the reason SA does not allow passengers to disembark (a real pity though in my opinion).

We finally get our meal situation all sorted out and we head north on runway 36. A view of Dakar as we pick up altitude in a leisurely manner - this is after all a 343.

In a little while its time for lunch, the food was well - ok I guess, and by then I was quite famished in any case and demolish the meal in short order.

We make landfall over Africa for a second time - this time south of Luanda over Angola.

We have made up some time and a little before 5 PM over Gabarone, Botswana we start our descent to JNB. The setting sun casts a golden glow as we line up for arrival on 21L.

A few minutes past 5:30 and about 18 hours after we left JFK, we touch down on 21L and taxi past a slew of european carriers to the gate.

Nimish · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:37 pm Post subject:

Lovely pictures!

How was the service on board? Would you fly SAA again?
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airindia787 · Member Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Posts: 770 Location: DAB & ZTF

Thanks for sharing, great report. I've been thinking about doing JFK-DKR-CPT, only on DL.
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avbuff · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 5031

Lovely pictures! Especially the line up which KLM is heading.

Good TR.

TKMCE · Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 957

Long back when there was an embargo on South Africa by most African nations I understand this flight (JNB-NYC) was operatd through "Sal" in Cape Verde islands since none of the other African nations would allow SAA to transit.

sshank · Member Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 377 Location: NYC

Thanks. Yes, I absolutely would (I hope I have an opportunity).

The service was fairly inconsistent - it varied from professional to adequate depending on the purser in charge. This is no SQ type operation by any streach. The hard product is very good though.

On the positive side, the whole setup is pretty relaxed - I was by the open 1L door when the meal fiasco was being played (the catering truck used the 1R door) and quite certain I was in the way and no one really objected or said anything. Even the flight crew were extremly friendly and explained the differences between flying the 300 and 600 etc and were generally very accomodating.

sri_bom · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 2365 Location: Singapore

sammyk · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:57 am Post subject:

sshank, nice pictures. Always nice to see JFK.

The AI 777 in the second pic appears to be a 77W, not 77L. You can see the extra door over the wing.

Aseem · Member Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 2841 Location: YYZ

sammyk · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:51 pm Post subject:

sshank · Member Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 377 Location: NYC

Yup, you are right. I had forgotten that the LHR - JFK is still operated by the 77W.

the_380 · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:37 pm Post subject:

Great pics !!! Love the AI 777 pic !!!!
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Aiel · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 927 Location: Bangalore

Nice pics, especially the overview of Dakar and the AI 777s.
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rutvij · Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 9:35 am Post subject:

Great Pics! KLM leading the line-up & the Dakar Climb Pic were the best.

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Rutvij

VictorKilo · Member Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Posts: 252 Location: USA

very good pics ...excellent stuff.

..i remember when flew this flight 12 to 13 yrs ago except i did it on a 744....but we only stopped in DKR on the way to JFK and the return was nonstop 14hrs leg...during the stop over in DKR ..they let us out to the terminal and into the cafeteria..i almost forgot my jacket there...so here i was running out of the plane after it was ready to roll. I found my jacket on the table and ran back out side and there i saw a image that is still in my head...a SAA OC 744 standing on the ramp with nothing around it bathed the tungsten lights of the airport with another SAA 744 parked behind it.....what an amazing view...

yash777 · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 10:51 pm Post subject:

Excellent pics! The lunch seems to be stingy Twisted Evil

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sreenath_y · Member Joined: 27 Apr 2008 Posts: 528

Stunning stuff!!!

Phldel · Member Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 10 Location: HYD

Hi,
Nice report! I have a question..probably is OT..What camera do you guys use? I have a Canon SD450 and I have tried all sorts of settings, but can never get such images. Do ANY of you use P&S cameras or am I the only one?!

Rajit

sshank · Member Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 377 Location: NYC

For these pics I used a pretty basic Canon A610. I try not to pull out my SLR in the air or at airports given the general state of paranoia these days.

Some general tips - by trial and error or othewise, figure out a way to hold the camera steady (I am serious!). The cockpit picture was hand-held 1/30 exposure without flash - and you can read the text on lot of the guages. Also, use a higher ISO speed (and accept the somewhat higher noise levels) especially for situations where you are likely to shake the camera. Also suppress the flash even when it seems like you should use it, as in most situations you are better off without it - it just seems to reflect / bounce off randomly (not to mention piss off people nearby). I guess we are way OT here so I will stop. Cheers.

Are you in PHL by the way?

Phldel · Member Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 10 Location: HYD

Thanks for the tips! I'm going to India in Dec. will try this on my first trip on Virgin Atlantic.

Yea, I'm in PHL. Im doing my engg at Drexel. Where are you? What are you doing? (without being too intrusive!?) Smile