It wasn’t until we reached Johannesburg airport for our SA Airlink flight to Maun, that we noticed our itinerary showed we’d been allocated separate seats. Fortunately the helpful check-in girl changed them for us. We checked the return journey and were pleased to be sat together.
Whilst expecting to board at 11am, there was no signs of movement until 11.15am. We sat on the bus and, assuming it would be a short drive to the plane, gallantly gave up our seats to an elderly American couple – a big mistake as we waited for over 20 minutes without explanation for the bus to move. Consequently, we took off 30 minutes late.
Our meal choice was beef wrapped around a cream cheese and vegetable mousse with couscous-stuffed pepper or filo tart with coronation chicken, pasta and stir-fried vegetables. Although the dishes were served cold they were surprisingly tasty. We declined pudding but managed the cheese and biscuits and chocolate. The supply of wine flowed and we were soon gently snoozing.
On our return trip, the business class desk at Maun was deserted and we were told we’d have to join a huge and rapidly expanding queue. We insisted we’d paid for business class service and someone eventually came over and checked us in. When the boarding cards were handed over, I noticed we weren’t sat together. We were told the configuration had changed but I stood my ground. The girl insisted everyone had already checked in and said it was a full flight but after she’d huffed and she’d puffed, she eventually found us seats together. When we got on board there were three rows of business class: no one was sat together, apart from us and there were empty seats.
We took off at 30 minutes late again. The choice of meal was chicken or ostrich and we were last to be served with Roy being the only one to brave ostrich which he said was very good.
On landing we had the usual announcements with the final comment “God Bless you all” – I can’t imagine British Airways allowing that!
To note – SA Airlink is a regional airline and privately owned business that operates as a franchise of South African Airways.