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.

34" is the seat pitch on SAA's 747 upstairs seats. It was much more comfortable than the 31" downstairs on the 747.

We always flew upstairs on the 747, but in 2003 we had to fly downstairs on the trip over. The difference between 31" and 34" was quite significant.

Amazing that SAA has listened to the complaints of the passengers. Imagine the money they would have saved had they just configured the aircraft properly in the first place.

Regards,

Terry

Kathi,
That's good news. We should all send SAA an e-mail thanking them.

-Steve

quote:

Originally posted by Steve:
Kathi,
That's good news. We should all send SAA an e-mail thanking them.

-Steve

If you do, tell them you look forward to flying with them once the modifications are completed. That should provide some impetus for them to follow through on their announcements expeditiously.

George

Good Point!

-Steve

Any additional leg room is good leg room.

Russ

When is the change going to happen? Any word on that?

quote:

Originally posted by eyedoc:
When is the change going to happen? Any word on that?

From Kathi's post above:

"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."

-Bob F.

quote:

Originally posted by BFaucett:

From Kathi's post above:

"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."

-Bob F.

In other words.... After my first trip with them in April/May!

Yes, it's 2005, but my luck is such that the plane I will be on will not be updated by the time I fly...

But Hell.... at least I'll be hunting Africa!!!

Sure, now that I'm too old to go hunting they're going to change it.

How about more ass room for fat fellows. Airline seats were designed for a nonexistant adult.