19 April, 2005: SAA WEIGHS PASSENGERS AND LUGGAGE FOR AN EVEN SAFER FLYING EXPERIENCE

Johannesburg. 19 April 2005. South African Airways (SAA) has begun randomly weighing its passengers together with their hang luggage through a voluntary process at Johannesburg International Airport.
The survey will be carried out on approximately 1000 passengers travelling on SAA’s domestic, regional and international flights over the next two weeks.

The weighing is done to calculate the correct take off weight of the airline’s aircraft with the safety of its passengers first in mind as well as to comply with Civil Aviation Regulations.

While the survey is held every five years, in the last one held in September 2003, where over 5000 volunteers took part, SAA discovered that passenger weights were increasing as a result of some overstepping the maximum amount of hand baggage allowed on board. This being, one piece weighing not more than 7kg’s in Economy Class and two pieces of 7kg’s each in Business Class.

“This snap survey is SAA fine tuning the previous results of 2003 and will establish whether passengers are adhering to the required standards. We have their safety in our hands and will not allow it to slacken,†says Khaya Ngqula, SAA President and CEO.

Passengers are carrying a total average of 10.1kg’s hand luggage on all routes, an increase of 3.1kg compared to the previous survey held in 1997.

The average male weight increased by 6kg from 91kg’s to 97kg’s and female weight is up by 5kg’s from 72 to 77kg’s. However, the average weights of children remained constant at 35kg’s.

These results apply to all SAA’s routes but excludes Hong Kong where the weights have in fact decreased by 6kg’s from 91kg’s in 1997 to 85kg’s in 2003.

On the Mumbai route, the average male weight increased by 3kg’s from 85kg’s to 88kg’s.

The average adult weight (male and female combined) with a ratio of 62% male and 38% female, stands at 89kg’s, an increase of 5kg’s.

SAA put in place a number of measures since the 2003 survey to curb excess luggage carried on board and ensuring as best as possible to keep to the maximum of 7kg’s.

A worldwide hand baggage campaign, reminding passengers of the carry-on limits was held during the months of May and December last year and signage posted at Johannesburg International Airport created awareness of the airline’s baggage policy.

During the weighing process, passengers are weighed on a scale, while another is used to weigh their hand luggage. The scales are linked to a computer and results are immediately captured by an operator. The individual figures are confidential and cannot be viewed by anyone.

Issued by South African Airways

For more information contact
Onkgopotse JJ Tabane
Vice President Communications and
Government Liaison
(011) 978 3729
083 380 6284

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Not only that but the flights have become longer by 5.4 kg, the attendents less competent by 38.2 kg, and and the seats more cramped by 175.2 kg.

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Does anyone know what the seat pitch (front-back distance between the same point on seats) and width is on SAA in coach?

For example, seat pitch is nearly always 31" on domestic US airlines. Seat width is usually 18" except it is 17" on narrow-body Boeings.

posted 10 February 2005 21:45
E-mail I recieved from SAA


South African Airways Announces
Onboard Enhancements in Economy Class

South African Airways will enhance its onboard experience in Economy Class
by increasing the seat pitch on its A340-600 and A340-300 aircraft. The new
seat pitch will offer increased legroom above and beyond the international
industry norm. Changes to the Economy Class cabin will take place in 2005
and 2006, with an expected window of approximately 12 to 15 months to update
current aircraft.

Presently, South African Airways offers the same legroom as its major
competitors flying into South Africa, on par with the global standard which
is between 31 and 32 inches. Moving forward SAA is working to increase the
seat pitch to between 33 and 34 inches.

The decision to re-pitch the Economy Class seats is part of South African
Airways' continued drive for innovation aboard the Airbus, its new premier
aircraft. As part of this initiative the carrier has been working closely
with the German seat manufacturers and the US-based manufacturers of the
entertainment box found underneath every second seat in Economy Class.

The entertainment box provides all Economy Class passengers with personal
on-demand access to movies, television shows, games, music channels, and CD
albums - the same broad selection provided to the airline's Premium Business
Class passengers. Currently, SAA is looking to slim down the entertainment
boxes to allow for greater legroom while maintaining its current high
standards for onboard entertainment.

Additional modifications being explored to enhance passenger experience
include increasing the tilt angle of the entertainment monitors for easier
viewing and removing certain baggage bars underneath seats to allow more
legroom.

South African Airways, South Africa's premier airline and the continent's
most awarded carrier, is the only airline to provide direct flights from the
U.S. to South Africa with daily departures from New York and Atlanta that
couple travel convenience with award-winning service excellence. The
airline features a young fleet enhanced by new Airbus aircraft featuring the
latest in airline comfort and entertainment options, as well as a style of
service and warm hospitality that is proudly South African.