JNB Connection time - experience of safe connections?

[medhead]

I'll be flying SYD-JHB later this year on QF63. On time performance isn't the best, average of 40 min delay, max of 230 minutes according to flight stats. I need to end up in Cape Town. Arrive into JHB (scheduled) at 17:00. Just wondering about experiences with transiting JHB to a domestic connection. Is JHB easy to navigate?

How much time I should leave to connect to South African Airways JHB to CPT? Considering going for the last flight to CPT, or hitting the intercontinental and then getting the first morning flight. The flights will be separate bookings.

 

[pmk]

We have transited through JNB a number of times. The domestic terminal is next door and all very easy to navigate.

When we last flew to Capetown I chose to stay overnight in JNB and used the City Lodge Hotel at about a third of the price of intercontinental but still easy walking distance. Caught the very first flight the next day as with jetlag you are up very early anyway.

From memory I think the last flight to Capetown was about 8 or 9 pm and I felt that clearing customs, collecting luggage (which ended up taking ages) then checking in at domestic terminal was all a bit too tight. Also the flight to Capetown was the start of a new RTW DONE 4 and I did not like the consequences of possibly missing the first flight on that ticket.

When we are flying onto LHR from JNB we have never had any problems connecting on same day, though we get our boarding pass pre issued in Australia and do not have to clear customs or collect luggage.

 

[Mattg]

I would personally overnight at the airport. But I would think that allowing 2-3 hours for possible delays and clearing customs should be sufficient. The airport is easy enough to navigate and the terminals are all connected.

No possibility to book the last BA flight for the evening to CPT? That way you'll have a oneworld to oneworld connection so should be protected.

 

[medhead]

I've looked at both BA and SAA, from memory the BA times are better. I'm not 100% set on SAA, but the J price looks good which should give ok VA earning. I'm not too sure if separate PNRs will be protected, at least Qantas have advised there is no protection. It's a bit of a story about how I didn't book all the way to CPT in the first place, but the punch line is I stuffed up.

I'll check out the city lodge hotel.

Thanks

 

[sanne]

Have flown this route many times. Last year our flight was delayed leaving Sydney due to weather. Qantas rescheduled everyone who had connections and those that missed the last flights were given hotels for the night. It didn't affect us as we always overnight at the Intercontinental or City Lodge. Your choice. But if you book your flight to CPT on the same PRN or maybe on 2 separate bookings ( not sure ) Qantas will look after you. I was very impressed with the help they gave everyone.

 

[docjames]

I did SYD-JNB-CPT in Dec 2013 on a single per with 2h10m connection. Inbound about 15 mins late, made it easily.

All indoors from Int to Dom. Easy 10min walk, 5min if you hurry.

Security screening at Dom was the slowest point, arrivals immigration wasn't too bad but by reputation is variable. Outbound immigration on the return was poor (took ages). Again had 2h30m connection, heaps of time.

 

[medhead]

Bit of a follow up. J JNB-CPT return seems very cheap A$330 each way. I wonder if I'm missing something.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Bit of a follow up. J JNB-CPT return seems very cheap A$330 each way. I wonder if I'm missing something.

Yes it is a cheap route.

We flew on Kulula CPT-JNB for 888 Rand each in Y (it is a budget airline) or $Aust79 one way including our checked in bags.

There is a lot of traffic on this route and many competitors. Lots of locals fly it and there is a lot of local traffic between 2 of SA largest cities.

However routes which are more for "tourists" such to airports near the game parks will be more expensive.

 

[docjames]

Bit of a follow up. J JNB-CPT return seems very cheap A$330 each way. I wonder if I'm missing something.

Fairly standard J domestic seating (think QF 737 but a bit older) on SAA. And yes, tons of daily flights.

Just lots of competition holding the price to a reasonable level. Food was decent (evening J meal JNB-CPT and lunch CPT-JNB).

 

[Imw]

Have flown thus route regularly for past 6 years and leaving feb 18 again. We will overnight in JNB ourselves then fly on next morning which suits our schedule. On our first check booking right through with Qantas, they had the flight to CPT leaving at 7pm so they obviously feel enough transit time. However as its then two hour flight, then pick up car then drive out to The Strand to our accommodation, we felt just too much in one day we fly from Melbourne first). Hence the overnight stop. We staying Protea almost at the airport $129 double. Couldn't justify intercontinental for just sleeping in. Incidentally we have upgrade request in fir both ways Syd JNB! Hubby was successful both ways when he went in August 2015. Hope we successful this time as both of us going.
He will qualify for Qantas gold after his NZ trip this Friday (thanks to bonus SC) so hoping that gives but extra upgrade leverage.

 

[medhead]

A side question to this QF63/64 have changed from having the Old config F seats in the nose. Any experiences on likelihood for the aircraft to change back with travel in about 6 weeks. Considering a move out of the carefully selected 1A to 11A for the side bin storage. Or back to the single row 5 seat from the carefully selected 1K on the return.