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What would you book SAA ecconomy or BA WT+

Posted:
26 May 2006, 10:33
by Alan
Off to Cape town in January, just about to book my tickets.
Not sure if BA WT+ would be a better bet than SAA ecconomy. It would work out at £400.00 more and I would lose the Flying club miles I have 52,000 at the moment. It's just down to the extra leg room 5 inches more would come in handy though I'm 6"2. can any who is tall help me make up my mind please.

Posted:
26 May 2006, 10:48
by VS075
It depends on how you get comfortable. Have you flown in both cabins before? I'm 6ft and I can sometimes tolerate cramped conditions for only a short period of time.
I've been doing some research on seatguru.com for you, and if you're after good IFE, then SAA might be better due to offering AVOD (similar to V:Port), someone please correct me if I'm wrong. BA offers the same IFE to WT+ as in WT, except you get games.
Otherwise if you just want to be able to relax, then I advise you to bite the bullet and book on BA WT+.

Posted:
26 May 2006, 11:12
by Alan
I haven't flown in either cabin so I'm a bit unsure as to what would be my best bet. Having only ever flown with VAA long haul, I would have loved to have made another booking but after a lot of research I have found out that there P.E cabin is not worth the extra expense on this route (Heathrow - Cape Town). I have read some really good reports on SAA now that they have A340-600 with a 33" seat pitch, much better than Virgin's 31". They have a good in - flight entertainment system. It's all down to the leg room, paying £400.00 more to an already expensive economy fare of £720.00.
I'm sorry if it sounds like a silly question, does 5" more leg room really justify an extra £400.00. I can afford it but just over £1000 seems like an awful lot of money to spend. I am prepared to do this but just need to justify the extra expense (and lose of miles!).
Please help!
Thanks

Posted:
26 May 2006, 11:52
by mitchja
I've never flown SAA so can't comment on this. However, I've flown both VS PE and BA WT+ and PE on VS is much better IMHO.
Where BA WT+ falls down is at check-in as there's now often no seperate check-in for WT+ at many airports.
Is it worth the extra £400 each - IMHO no it's not.
Now if it where £400 extra on VS for PE then I'd say yes do it, as I think you would get an A346 with V:Port and the new PE seats.
Regards

Posted:
26 May 2006, 12:58
by V-Ben
SAA Have some economy seats on the upper deck of their 747-400s with over 35" pitch.. held for Frequest flyers or others on request.

Posted:
26 May 2006, 15:09
by Alan
Thanks, but they don't use 747's on this route.

Posted:
26 May 2006, 21:11
by VS045
I'd go for SAA - friendly crew, good service in general and much better IFE and you save money;):D
VS.