Story by Ken Panton
Photography by David Lewis Taylor

Striving for both excellence and comfort, the award-wining South African Airways, South Africa’s premiere airline that recently celebrated its 70th anniversary, provides an exceptional level of care and attention to its Premium Business Class passengers. In the competitive airline industry it takes more than changes in seat pitch and width to set a carrier apart from its rivals. For all passengers on SAA, innovative changes have made the travel experience trouble-free. For the demanding business class passengers, care has been taken at every point of the journey to ensure that their demands are fully realized. So intent on providing excellent service, SAA’s efforts are not just winning awards in the industry – they are downright newsworthy. The 180-degree, lie-flat Premium Business Class seat, recently named “World’s Best Business Class Seat” by a leading advisor to the airline industry, should be frontpage news in the London Times.

For busy business travelers the workday is only hindered by the required formalities for airport security. The well-appointed first and business class airport lounges in Johannesburg have ample hook-up to the outside world, while each business class seat has its own in-seat power supply for laptops. Comfort is assured in the lounges wit available showers and quiet resting rooms. Onboard the wide seats offer a superior, adjustable, lumbar support when the seats are upright. An array of beverages, delicious snacks, and meals are offered in the lounges surrounded by many small touches that make a visit ever so relaxing. The most dedicated businessperson will find it hard to resist, or beat, the many comforts available in these lounges and certainly in the air.

Premium Business Class passengers will find that the high-level, passionate service they encounter at check-in and in the lounges is matched exactly on board the fleet of A340-600, A340-300, and 747-400 aircraft. Dining on SAA is like visiting a fine restaurant save for the fact that no one is offended if you watch a movie during your multiple course diner complimented with South African wines chosen or recommended from the extensive, award-wining onboard selection. The interesting and delicious menu, designed in cooperation with the South African Chefs Association, features light and hearty dishes with a distinct South African style. I enjoyed a fresh salad and then a delicious pan-fried catch-of-the-day fish prepared with Cajun spices in a light curry sauce and fantastic crisp wine. The Sony P@ssport-audio-and video on demand personal entertainment center offered current and critically acclaimed movies. Video games and a range of music selections, from soundtracks, popular, classic and world music, rounded out my entertainment selections. Later I requested a cheese sampler plate and enjoyed a rich Cabernet before cozying into my fully reclined seat. I awoke to the smell of fresh-brewed coffee and the choice of a light or full breakfast.

South African Airways brings you a distinctive pride in hospitality and a stylish South African élan to Premium Business Class that appears effortless and professional. From the US to Johannesburg, and on to Cape Town, Pretoria, and other points in South Africa, the trip is enjoyable and when traveling in Premium Business Class nearly as comfortable as an evening spent at home. There is no greater luxury than arriving at your destination or returning home rested and relaxed, except being spoiled and pampered all though your journey. South African Airways flies to 38 cities in 27 countries and an oasis of comfort awaits visitors in the Johannesburg lounges and on Premium Business Class.

www.flysaa.com