Comair flights grounded by South African safety regulator [now liquidated]

[Princess Pia]

There will need to be a big increase in capacity between JNB and CPT.

Surprisingly SAA cancelled our flight from JNB-CPT for the 8th Oct just a few days after Comair ceased flying for the second time. Now we have a 5hr stopover in JNB Like you, i would have thought they’d be looking to put on extra capacity now, not cut flights.

 

[N860CR]

Surprisingly SAA cancelled our flight from JNB-CPT for the 8th Oct just a few days after Comair ceased flying for the second time. Now we have a 5hr stopover in JNB Like you, i would have thought they’d be looking to put on extra capacity now, not cut flights.

I don’t think there’s much point trying to use logic when it comes to the new SAA!

I ended up booking a CPT-JNB with Lift. I had a credit from March after I booked a backup fare (during the previous Comair grounding) that I didn’t use. Fairly good value, just under 3000ZAR for their premium class. Also have a DUR-JNB booked via KQ (connecting to NBO) and it’s interesting to see them using FA as the codeshare partner. Will be interesting times as things settle down. Airlink would be my preference given the option (they tend to be expensive though). Nice bit of nostalgia with the purple divider and red/purple/grey headrests.

 

[mbeder]

Qantas have in the past booked onto the SAA flights. There are significantly less of those than there used to be, but I’d imagine a few more will pop up. There will need to be a big increase in capacity between JNB and CPT.

Update - tickets updated - we're flying on SAA flights now for the ORT-CPT (and return) flights. Any ideas whether we'd be able to get into an SAA lounge? (I'm QF Plat/OW Emerald)?

 

[Mattg]

Any ideas whether we'd be able to get into an SAA lounge? (I'm QF Plat/OW Emerald)?

Not unless you're in J or have status with Star Alliance or Virgin Australia.

 

[antycbr]

Not unless you're in J or have status with Star Alliance or Virgin Australia.

Ironic that VA continues the partnership after everything that has happened to SA and VA in the intervening period!

 

[Guvner]

I was booked on BA6209 JNB-DUR in Sept which obviously won't be happening. I received a credit voucher from BA last week so at least I got something back from the liquidation. I assumed I'd done my dough.

 

[mbeder]

Not unless you're in J or have status with Star Alliance or Virgin Australia.

Bugger, that leg is in economy and no star alliance status. Thankfully, it looks like one can at least buy passes into a Bidvest lounge.

 

[mbeder]

I was booked on BA6209 JNB-DUR in Sept which obviously won't be happening. I received a credit voucher from BA last week so at least I got something back from the liquidation. I assumed I'd done my dough.

I had another separate leg (ORT-CPT) booked direct via BA. The cancellation (and credit) process has been easy via the BA website. The only downside is that the initial payment had been in ZAR, so I am sure I will lose some AUD when the credit is processed given the weakness of the local currency.

 

[Daver6]

I wonder what this means for the SLOW lounges? I don't believe you can get access with Priority Pass. They were pretty good lounges IMHO.

 

[Guvner]

Air France/KLM/Delta/Alitalia pax, and certain CC holders, can access SLOW lounges.

 

[N860CR]

I wonder what this means for the SLOW lounges? I don't believe you can get access with Priority Pass. They were pretty good lounges IMHO.

They’re very good. Can’t think of too many other domestic lounges with free massages. Hopefully they remain. A few local banks have connections with SLOW via their higher end credit cards.

 

[HS-TQE]

Ironic that VA continues the partnership after everything that has happened to SA and VA in the intervening period!

Though in the list as a 'secondary partner', alongside the likes of Virgin Atlantic, Etihad and the HNA group carriers.

 

[dttexitsign]

I wonder what this means for the SLOW lounges? I don't believe you can get access with Priority Pass. They were pretty good lounges IMHO.

Comair sold the SLOW lounges during their business rescue (local version of voluntary administration) to First National Bank to raise some cash - they're still operating under the same access rules, now owned by FNB.

 

[moa999]

Looks like BA has terminated the franchise.
Creditors will take the planes.

And the remain operating licenses will try to be sold.

British Airways Could Be Eyeing A New South African Partner

As Comair undergoes provisional liquidation, British Airways seeks a new South African Partner.

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