South Africa Flights Question

Just booked some upper reward tickets to SA for next Jan[^]

Had to book out to JNB as CPT was full. Will plan on connecting down to CPT immediately on arrival. Can those with experience point me in the right direction with:
- best airline to connect with
- flight time
- time in customs etc, ie what time flight to get to connect with the 07.55 arrival in JNB
- are the 2 flights from the same terminal (ie will we have lounge access during the wait to connect, even if carrying on on economy?)
- any other tips for this?

Ta

I used to do this quite a bit, connecting on South African. CPT flights are more or less hourly and take around 2 hours to fly down, so normal mode was to get the VS flight arriving at 9:15 or so, and then connect into the 11:00 flight to CPT. With a 7:55 arrival the 09:00 will be a little early so you may end up on the 10:00 flight. However, customs/immigration always used to be fairly quick and straightforward for those off the flight first.

No lounge access via Virgin -- you wouldn't have this even if the lounge was open (which I don't believe it is) as (a) the lounge is for departing passengers only and (b) the flight to CPT is from the domestic terminal (out of arrivals, up one level and walk left about 500m).

Hope this helps.

BC

As you're in UC, the queue at immigration will be probably be relatively short. However, if you end up on gate 25 (as frequently happens) or another stand which needs buses, then you might lose your priority deplaning as other classes will most likely also be on the first bus.
Also, there is no seamless transfer between flights, so you have to collect your bags, go through immigration etc., exit the building, turn left, walk for around 370 paces, enter the domestic terminal, check-in and go through security again.

Cheers,
VS045

Thanks Guys - cant beleive we cant check bags through - looks like an LAX type experience [:0]

Unfortunately you have to clear customs in JHB, hence no baggage checked though to CPT. They should be able to book it through on the return leg though.

As for connecting to your next flight, JHB has a transfers area in the International Arrivals terminal which is usually very efficient. It is next to the banks (if you're facing the exit, it's on the far left)

Luggage retrieval at JHB can be really slow though, so for a 07:55 landing, I would leave at least 90 minutes before your connecting flight. It's also quite a walk to the domestic terminal whilst they are doing their renovations. In my experience with connecting on SAA though, if you turn up at the transfers check-in (above) and there is a flight leaving sooner, they will stick you on that one.

If you don't have lounge access, my suggestion would be going for coffee at the Hotel Intercontinental. It's right outside the terminal building, the service is superb and the seats very comfortable.