The average SLF experience is a miserable one
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Now a Kiwi CAT it appears!
African Cat to Kiwi Cat
To have flown a flying boat ...
Will revert to previously advised thread heading Mods, I pray you will forgive this little detour.
To have flown a flying boat ...
Will revert to previously advised thread heading Mods, I pray you will forgive this little detour.
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Thanks to WHBM I will certainly try and get a copy of said book. Whilst on the subject can anyone recommend similar books about the early Imperial Airways flying boat journeys down to Africa transitting through Khartoum? I would normally "google" this info but feel it is better to obtain first hand information from the learned readers of this forum!!
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
First the 'detour', I have no detail on Imperial but recall my Great Aunt speaking of the flights and how wonderfully fast they were. As I recall from 30 years ago ...
Train from Waterloo to Southampton.
Flight to South of France
Flight to Italy
Flight to Eqypt
Flight to Lake Victoria
Flight to North or South Rhodesia (a river)
Flight to Vaal Dam
For her, train on to Cape Town. At one time, I think they did continue to Table Bay but I'm not sure.
I sit to be corrected on those night stops. But everyone then had their bags carried into the hotel and then dressed for dinner in Black Tie. Best place to ask about this is in: http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia-86/
Back to the thread title:
The modern SLF experience is what it is. No one can be in any doubt as to what they are going to get, both on the ground or in the air. As in most things, by the application of more money, the experience can be made nicer. Most people I know prefer to pay less money and get to the destination, accepting that it will not be much fun. I expect no improvement in the situation in my lifetime.
Train from Waterloo to Southampton.
Flight to South of France
Flight to Italy
Flight to Eqypt
Flight to Lake Victoria
Flight to North or South Rhodesia (a river)
Flight to Vaal Dam
For her, train on to Cape Town. At one time, I think they did continue to Table Bay but I'm not sure.
I sit to be corrected on those night stops. But everyone then had their bags carried into the hotel and then dressed for dinner in Black Tie. Best place to ask about this is in: http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia-86/
Back to the thread title:
The modern SLF experience is what it is. No one can be in any doubt as to what they are going to get, both on the ground or in the air. As in most things, by the application of more money, the experience can be made nicer. Most people I know prefer to pay less money and get to the destination, accepting that it will not be much fun. I expect no improvement in the situation in my lifetime.
Joined: Oct 2002
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 347
From: London UK
Back in 1939 it was a slightly different route (and to Durban, not Vaal Dam) but here is the timetable on the web :
Imperial Airways
Imperial Airways
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Johannesburg Terminus.
The Empire route to JHB terminated on the Vaal Dam. I guess it would have been followed by a medium distance bus trip into JHB.
Not sure when this route was discontinued.
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchi...0-%200739.html
Not sure when this route was discontinued.
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchi...0-%200739.html
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
From: Bali H'ai
This weekend I anticipated a crowded scene as part of my first A380 experience. As it turned out everything went smoothly, booking online, boarding online and very civil security staff. In fact I was amused by the separate facility for removing and xraying shoes. Lighten up folks we're travelling economy, it's all part of the fun.
The holding lounges were very well organised with two separate lounges for Upper Deck and Lower Deck. The parties never got to mix, no concentration of bods at the gate, we made our separate ways to the aircraft.
Last week I flew out on a 777-300ER and the return on the A380, at the back of the Upper Deck, was identical in layout and seating.
Couldn't bitch about the food, the Fillet Steak served on the outbound leg was as good as any I have had in a fine dining restaurant. I was surprised!
I am a frequent flier, this was my third long haul trip this year, and having returned last night from London, my first task this morning was to book a return to London for end of May.
Last weeks trip was Kuala Lumpur-Singapore, Singapore-Zurich (777-300ER), Geneva-London City (RJ100), Heathrow-Singapore (A380-800) and Singapore Kuala Lumpur.
Earlier trips this year have been KUL to Johannesburg direct with Malaysian (747-400), and KUL via SIN to Johannesburg (777-200ER).
Checking my passports a couple of weeks ago I noted that I have crossed the South Indian Ocean 63 times in the last 15 years, all as SLF.
Finally, (thank god you say) I will comment on fares, last weeks trip booked on line 3 weeks ago cost RM5,000, my next trip booked this morning for 4 weeks hence cost RM3,500. Not complaining, presumably the upside of yield management.
The holding lounges were very well organised with two separate lounges for Upper Deck and Lower Deck. The parties never got to mix, no concentration of bods at the gate, we made our separate ways to the aircraft.
Last week I flew out on a 777-300ER and the return on the A380, at the back of the Upper Deck, was identical in layout and seating.
Couldn't bitch about the food, the Fillet Steak served on the outbound leg was as good as any I have had in a fine dining restaurant. I was surprised!
I am a frequent flier, this was my third long haul trip this year, and having returned last night from London, my first task this morning was to book a return to London for end of May.
Last weeks trip was Kuala Lumpur-Singapore, Singapore-Zurich (777-300ER), Geneva-London City (RJ100), Heathrow-Singapore (A380-800) and Singapore Kuala Lumpur.
Earlier trips this year have been KUL to Johannesburg direct with Malaysian (747-400), and KUL via SIN to Johannesburg (777-200ER).
Checking my passports a couple of weeks ago I noted that I have crossed the South Indian Ocean 63 times in the last 15 years, all as SLF.
Finally, (thank god you say) I will comment on fares, last weeks trip booked on line 3 weeks ago cost RM5,000, my next trip booked this morning for 4 weeks hence cost RM3,500. Not complaining, presumably the upside of yield management.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 239
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From: France
C'mon guys, we're comparing a luxury elite product of the 30s with a modern low cost option. This is hardly fair. If you want to compare honestly then look at the options for the average working joe in these times;
NOW: they have an uncomfortable but short flight that takes them safely to a country far away for a holiday in the sun
THEN: flying was completely out of the question; any travel to other countries was a dream; they'd be lucky to get holidays at all.
At the other end of the market today's product might be less romantic, but a first class flight today is more comfortable, faster, more dependable and safer than in the old days. If you want to dress for dinner nobody is stopping you and if you'd like to be carried to your hotel I am sure we can arrange that too. Remember that in the old days the competition was ships, so of course they had to have formal dinners. Constant vibrations were a pain but it is still better than three weeks of throwing up.
If someone does start an old time flying boat service it will be like big ships -- no longer a means of transport but a recreation for people with too much time and too much money. I hope one day to be in that category because I would like to try it too.
NOW: they have an uncomfortable but short flight that takes them safely to a country far away for a holiday in the sun
THEN: flying was completely out of the question; any travel to other countries was a dream; they'd be lucky to get holidays at all.
At the other end of the market today's product might be less romantic, but a first class flight today is more comfortable, faster, more dependable and safer than in the old days. If you want to dress for dinner nobody is stopping you and if you'd like to be carried to your hotel I am sure we can arrange that too. Remember that in the old days the competition was ships, so of course they had to have formal dinners. Constant vibrations were a pain but it is still better than three weeks of throwing up.
If someone does start an old time flying boat service it will be like big ships -- no longer a means of transport but a recreation for people with too much time and too much money. I hope one day to be in that category because I would like to try it too.
