Travelers are notorious for rating service in part because ratings serve as a means of expressing pleasure or displeasure for their experience but also in part because rating a service can be of great value to the next user of that service. First Class seating on South African Airways has been modeled after the highly rated Swissair First Class seat and has achieved top rankings in recent In-flight Research Surveys.
South African Airways has earned its notoriety not only from the exceptional service it provides but from the comfort and privacy found in each of its 180 degree lie-flat beds with a seat pitch of 83”. In full recline, it offers a 29-inch wide bed with a complimentary sleeper suit for additional sleeping comfort and a special amenity kit packed with toiletries and more. Each suite has its own ottoman, which is electrically controlled. The seats also include in-seat power supply for laptops, telephone, individual reading light and an 8.6” personal monitor with Sony P@ssport audio-and-video-on-demand and a variety of video games to give passengers complete control of their own in-flight entertainment.
First class also features personalized butler service and turn-down service with luxurious duvets and large pillows. South African Airways continues to improve its already great food and wine service with rotating menus and an assortment of fine wines, champagne and chef prepared meals.
South African Airways operates its flights using a fully-modernized fleet of aircraft including Boeing 747-400 aircraft, Airbus 340-600s and A319s.
The First Class lounge offers full bar service and an efficient staff on duty seven days a week. Apart from the innovatively designed seating areas, other facilities include lavish shower rooms, a soundproof reading and snooze rooms, a smoking room and a business centre with international telephone, computer and Internet facilities.
