Jet Airways - New Service to Colombo, Sri Lanka

Jet Airways will launch a new service between Mumbai and Colombo starting on the 5th November 2010.  The flights will be daily and brilliant for those connecting out of other cities such as Johannesburg.  Previously Emirates owned the route but I see Jet Airways closing all of Emirates niche markets soon.

Onboard Jet Airways is fairly decent, entertainment is good but legroom a little dodgy.  Otherwise good value for money.

One last thing, SAA and Jet Airways are partner Airlines, unfortunately you cannot redeem miles on a Jet Airways flight out of Africa on SAA Voyager Miles.



SAA Voyager is One Useless Excuse for a Frequent Flyer Programme

SAA Voyager has to be the most useless frequent flyer programme that exists:

1.  Very limited flight options.

2.  No miles sharing between members or even family members.

3.  Can only be redeemed for one resort, health spas and car hire.  REALLY???

4.  Whenever you want to travel the damn flights are always booked upto 1 year in advance.

5.  The taxes are so high, you rather just buy the ticket from another airline cheaper.

So I have to ask myself again, why the hell do I have SAA Voyager??  The Emirates skywards programme is amazing.  Since moving over to them as a loyal frequent flyer I am amazed at the options and felxibility.  SAA is in serious need of educated people to help them forward...

SAA Cuts Durban - Cape Town Route

So we have been hearing and constantly reminded about the good fortune of hosting the World Cup.  I personally have yet to see any effect to the contrary actually.

For one, the tourist trade must be non existant for SAA (South Africa Airways) to cut the route altogether as of 1st November 2010.  We now have to fly on a low cost airline between the 2 cities.  Some might argue that this cost cutting measure might be beneficial to South Africa as there might be less likelyhood of a government bailout again.  For a national carrier to cut flights between 2 of the lagest cities in the country is just pathetic!!

 image via: Southafrica.to

SAA a rip off - World Cup 2010

A good source at South African Airways has just confirmed that the national carrier will be doubling fares during the world cup next year.  The aim is to obviously squeeze every penny out of the tourists flying locally.  Other low cost airlines will follow suit.  A word of advice, if you planning on going to the FIFA 2010 World Cup then book your internal flights asap.

SAA isnt new to controversy.  They showed a huge loss for the past few years before they received a government bailout.  The CEO Khaya Ncqula was given more than $1 million retention bonus payout after he was fired earlier this year.