Thread: non rev to victoria falls

Hey!
If it helps, I flew SAA from CPT to Mauritiur, via JNB.
I've got to tell you that you will have to "breath and be pattient" with SAA non reving system.

I listed on the flights I wanted to fly before leaving Europe over the phone, calling to Germany. Everything was fine.
Then when we arrived at the airport (CPT), I went to the economy check-in, and they didnt even look at my reservation, they told me to come back 45 minuts before flight departs, because I would be called by them. I told the agent: how are you going to know who I am, and If I am here at the airport? you didnt even look at my reservation or typed anything!!! He just told me, I will call you, stay in that corner, and I will call you back.
So we did.
30minuts before departure, they made a final announcement calling all pax to check-in because the flight was closing (I was amazed by the laaaarrrge number of people who was still going around without checking-in...........30 minuts before departure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We approached, and an agent took our paper ZEDs and checked us. I gave him my flight listing, which he absolutely ignored. I knew it because he did a mistake at my name at the boarding pass. I supposed he checked us like a passenger who has no reservation.
The good part was he confirmed us straight to Mauritius... so we didnt have to standby again at JNB.
Maybe he thought we were regular passengers... who knows!

The craziest way of dealing with a non revenue system I have never experienced!

I forgot everything when the captain literally said over the microphone: Ladies and gentelmen, wellcome onboard of this South African Airlines flight to PARADISE!
So be patient, South Africa is an special country, which I was absolutely impressed, mostly because of their way of living and doing things.

hope it helps.

Thanks for the information. This will be our 2nd trip to South Africa. We would like to go to Cape Town, Kruger National Park for the second time and Victoria Falls for 2 days. I would hate to go down there 2 times and not go to Victoria Falls. I am a little unsure of the political unrest in Zimbabwe and the Cholera outbreak in that country.I will let you all know when I come across some useful information. Again thanks and happy non-reving!

hi travelguy

i flew nonrev to vfa 3 years ago and it was easy. i flew from jnb to vfa on ba(comair) flight about half full. back on sa from vfa to jnb. also an easy trip. vfa is a very small airport-they even didn't have computers.everything was done manually. actually i would say it's better to stay on the zambian side.not only because of the cholera but in victoria falls town you can see that there is absolutely no money to invest and everything is worn off. at the casino i think about 10 people were gambling, the streets were empty and also most of the restaurants were closed.so i think at livingstone in zambia you will find more options to do. but to have a view on the falls you have to go to the zimbabwian side. but its easy-just cross the bridge and you are the entrance of the park. but it's worth to go there very impressive "the smoke that thunders"