Thanks.I opted a for Emirates, as suggested, and it was splendid. I flew economy but they allow 30kg baggage (40kg for Business and 50 for First) The food was excellent the aircraft very clean and well maintained. Emirates also boast having additional leg room in economy which was great. The price difference against BA or SAA direct flights (Virgin don't fly direct to Cape Town any more) was too much to ignore but obviously 11 hours direct time against Emirates' 17 hours via Dubai is the price you pay although the transfers in Dubai were pretty painless. The cabin and cockpit crew were 'international' to say the least. Pilots southbound (judging by accents) were British then South African and Northbound Australian and Emirates) Cabin crew was a nice mixture of Brits, NZ, USA, Emirates, S.African, Russian, Spanish, Chinese and others. And there were certainly enough of them. In flight entertainment is second to none and they have external cameras placed above the cockpit, the tail-fin and underneath the aircraft so you can view the flight throughout the journey as if from a flight simulator.
Steve Taylor ● 6342d