Class: Economy
Seat Number: 52H
Aircraft: Airbus 340-300e
Flight time: 11 hours
Perth Airport is an absolute treat and T1 International sets the tone beautifully.
Check-in is genuinely friendly, the kind that makes you feel like your trip has already started rather than something to be endured.
I haven’t flown out of Perth for years and wow, I’m impressed. The terminal feels shiny and new and has had a huge makeover with great shops and welcoming bars that make it a pleasure to linger pre-flight rather than watch the clock.
In addition to a new spacious split level departures area there’s an extended check in hall and 16 new international check in counters as well as a new boarding lounge for international passengers and a new airline lounge. It’s a world class traveller experience and a great way to start your journey.
Boarding is seamless and right on schedule, always a small but mighty joy. The aircraft may be an older model, but it’s spotlessly clean, with a comfortable 2-4-2 configuration. What really stands out, though, is the crew. All smiles, warm and welcoming, and notably kind and attentive to the older passengers on board. That sort of care never goes unnoticed.
It’s a late flight and there’s a buzz on board, we’re all itching to get going on this exciting megalekker travel agent super trip.
We take off bang on time, and I bravely fight the urge to sleep because I want the full South African hospitality experience. Totally worth it.
Dinner is a delicious chicken couscous, so good I inhale it despite not being particularly hungry, followed by a very tasty chocolate mousse. As I am on the “Calories absolutely do not count in the air” diet. I lean in. Cheese and bikkies, a proper cup of tea, and bonus points for real cutlery. Bliss.
Even better, I manage a solid five hours of sleep, helped enormously by the empty seat beside me, double win.
Slight downside: no headphones provided and mine need charging, so no backseat entertainment for me. The screen has a mix of old and new movies, but nothing irresistible, so I happily retreat into my book.
Before long, breakfast arrives: a perfectly acceptable frittata with bacon and parsley potatoes. All in all, a smooth, thoughtful, and very pleasant start to the journey. Exactly how travel should feel.
SAA flies 5 times a week direct from Perth to Johannesburg and is part of the Voyager loyalty programme
