Flying to South Africa with KLM
If you’re on a budget and looking for the best deal possible on flights to South Africa, then check out the latest fares with KLM airlines. If you’re lucky you might still be able to grab a flight at a World Cup special rate.
Do bear in mind however, that low fares generally mean a ‘no frills’ service and, although perfectly adequate, KLM don’t provide the standard of customer service you’d get with an airline like BA or Emirates. If comfort and relaxation are a priority for you, you might be better off paying that little bit extra for a flight with either of these two airlines. Having said that, KLM flights are generally on time and the cabin crew are helpful and accommodating.
Economy seats with KLM are pretty standard and can seem quite cramped after 12 hours in the air. If you’re tall or have long legs it might be an idea to book a seat in the Economy Comfort zone. This will give you extra leg room of up to 35 inches and increased recline – something you’ll be particularly grateful for on an overnight flight. The Economy Comfort Zone is usually situated towards the front of the aircraft, so you’ll also be one of the first to get off the plane by booking a seat here. Price wise you can expect to pay between 80 and 150 euro extra for an Economy Comfort seat.
There’s no First Class cabin on KLM flights so if you’re looking for a little more luxury on your flight, the next class up is Business Class. You’ll have a dedicated check in desk at the airport, which means less time queuing, and you also get a bigger baggage allowance. All seats in Business Class have their own TV screen and are fitted with privacy screens, as well as a massage option – again something you’ll be very glad of having spent half a day flying. Your Business Class seat also has a laptop connection and is equipped to allow you to send messages to any telephone number or email address in the world.
Food wise, you can expect typical airline fare in all classes. It will fill the hole but may not be the tastiest dish you’ve ever eaten. As with most airlines these days, if you have any particular dietary requirements, just let the crew know in advance and they’ll usually be able to cater for you.
All in all a good option if you’re on a budget, but probably wouldn’t be your first choice if money was no object!