supplied us with a list of the most popular
flights too and from South Africa for the
last year. See how the below measures
up with where you have been travelling!
5 East London
10 Lusaka
as much water as you can. Water helps
reduce swelling on a flight, particularly of
your feet, it also ensures better circulation
and this is crucial. If you are going to drink
alcohol on the flight water is a must. In fact
if you can avoid drinking on the flight I would
urge you to do so as this also contributes to
you swelling on the plane.
so are the three course meals. While airline
food is generally still palatable it is best
you don't rely on it filling you up if you are
starving. The meals also tend to be fairly
carbohydrate laden which will also leave
you feeling bloated and swollen. If possible
pack healthy snacks or if you are doing a
longer flight try and arrive earlier and have
something to eat at the airport before you
leave. On shorter flights snacks are served
these days as opposed to full meals so
instead of getting a three course breakfast
on your flight to Cape Town you may have to
be content with a muffin.
enTerTaInMenT
offer on-board entertainment there are a
number of intercontinental flights in Europe
as an example that do not. So unless you
are able to nap say between Barcelona and
Munich, before catching your flight back to
Joburg, take a book. If you have small kids a
portable DVD player would be a really good
idea to slip into the carry on luggage.
connecTIons
delayed and one never has to run through
an airport at break neck speed to get to
your connecting flight. But not all things
always go to plan so try and ensure that
there is a minimum of two hours between
connecting flights. Remember that in the
first place you land you will have to clear
passport control and in some instances
customs too. If you find yourself in the
"All other passports" queue you may find
yourself longing for a longer wait between
connections as you watch the only daily
flight to your remote island take off without
you. As a rule of thumb, airlines won't
page you, nor will they wait for you, those
days are over. Rather don't take the chance
and plan your stops better. Also, where
possible, try and check your luggage
straight through.
docuMenTaTIon Than needed
to the passport control and being asked
to present a document to prove you will
be returning to your country of origin and
not having it on you. As a rule try and take
the same documents you were required
to take with you when applying for a visa
on your flight with you. You may never be
asked for them, however should you be
asked for them and you don't have them
on you the passport control people have
the right to detain and question you for as
long as they require.
flight and when you get to the airport,
print your boarding pass at a self-service
kiosk and simply drop your bag at the bag
drop. It is all about convenience so make
use of this option wherever possible. This
is a particularly useful service when you
absolutely have to try and squeeze in
those quick connections between flights!
are a member of a loyalty programme
such as SAA Voyager and can use your
miles to upgrade your seat or make use of
the airport lounges. Another tip? Always
ensure that you book an upgradeable seat,
especially if you are a Voyager member,
not all seats these days can be upgraded
and it all depends on the airline.