Best airline from Johannesburg to PE?

[HuntingGold]

We are landing in Joberg in late August, then will tour a day or two before moving on to PE. I've flown this route multiple times but cannot recall who I've used. It seems I used Mango once and wasn't impressed. Sounds like they aren't operating now?

Down to Airlink or Safair? Any others?

Looking for reliability first and comfort as well.

Thanks in advance for the input.
Randy

 

[Firebird]

Airlink if you are traveling with guns. Small planes but comfortable enough and you won’t be in the air all that long. The view as you swing out over the ocean preparing to land is really fantastic

 

[Bearkat]

We will be taking SAA this time, but we are not taking firearms. If you are, you need to take Airlink.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I have flown them both several times since 1999. No problems. I seem to recall Airlink gun handling fee is now rather stout. Better check their website. Also, be sure to leave two hours at Joberg to transfer to your PE flight, especially if guns are involved. Nothing less! I almost didn't make my flight last time. Lots of nutty shit going on in the air right now (as in ballistic missiles) which may make your flight into Joberg late. Last time some African country was going through another semiannual civil war rampage and my flight from Frankfurt had to detour around their airspace causing us to be more than an hour late getting into Joberg.

Mango never allowed guns so I wrote them off immediately.

 

[HuntingGold]

I appreciate the input. After dealing with some Delta BS earlier this year while traveling with a small gun case, I decided we would not travel with guns on this trip. Makes me grumpy as I really wanted to take at least one.
I'm leaning Airlink but still open to thoughts and suggestions.
Randy

 

[TnKen]

I flew Airlink last year and had no issues.

 

[Mike B.]

Airlink has been great for every flight I’ve done down there and that’s been quite a lot. Probably around 50 flights with them the past 6 years, a mix of some international and interior flights. I usually do about 5-6 flights legs per trip depending on where we go. They have a good network of locations they fly into.

With that said, I don’t know what the flight schedule looks like from Joberg to PE but I always take that into account. What happens if I need to change flights because one is canceled? Are there enough flights going out that day on the same airline after my original flight that I can quickly change to if needed. I don’t think you can go wrong with Safair as well but I personally would never fly South African Air with any advanced purchase just because of their recent past history. I like my money too much. Maybe that’s not even remotely a potential issue now that they have come back from their chaos but it still weighs on my mind.

 

[Andrew62]

Airlink

 

[JimP]

It's a short hop in a smaller plane.

I flew it with the old SSA and 3 years ago with Airlink

 

[jpr9954]

I flew Airlink last year with no problems. They charged about $30 per rifle each way.

They also provided a sandwich with choice of beer, wine, or soda. That doesn't seem like much until you compare it to an American airline that charges you for everything but a small cup of soda.

 

[Tim Blackwell]

Airlink.
500 rand per flight extortion fee.

 

[HuntingGold]

Thanks folks!

 

[Philip Glass]

We are landing in Joberg in late August, then will tour a day or two before moving on to PE. I've flown this route multiple times but cannot recall who I've used. It seems I used Mango once and wasn't impressed. Sounds like they aren't operating now?

Down to Airlink or Safair? Any others?

Looking for reliability first and comfort as well.

Thanks in advance for the input.
Randy

I have exclusively used Airlink for that route with rifles. Now others carry rifles but all things considered I'll stick with Airlink as a loyal customer. IMO they have the best service in the skies for a regional carrier. Imagine getting a free meal and a beer on a 1-2 hour flight and nice young staff politely serving you! It's like an alternative universe.

 

[Philip Glass]

Airlink has been great for every flight I’ve done down there and that’s been quite a lot. Probably around 50 flights with them the past 6 years, a mix of some international and interior flights. I usually do about 5-6 flights legs per trip depending on where we go. They have a good network of locations they fly into.

With that said, I don’t know what the flight schedule looks like from Joberg to PE but I always take that into account. What happens if I need to change flights because one is canceled? Are there enough flights going out that day on the same airline after my original flight that I can quickly change to if needed. I don’t think you can go wrong with Safair as well but I personally would never fly South African Air with any advanced purchase just because of their recent past history. I like my money too much. Maybe that’s not even remotely a potential issue now that they have come back from their chaos but it still weighs on my mind.

If memory serves Airlink flies 4 times a day to PE depending on the day.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I would say don't hesitate to go with either Airlink or Safair, whichever best fits your schedule.

 

[Firebird]

I do have to admit my last trip they had the prettiest flight attendant I’ve ever seen on any flight