South African travellers’ top flying frustration? Same as the rest of the world: flight delays and cancellations.
According to Flight Centre’s latest global survey (which polled thousands of travellers across South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Canada, and the US), there’s overwhelming consensus that nothing kills a holiday vibe quite like being grounded before take-off.
But that’s only the beginning of the boarding gate blues. From vanishing bags to overly chatty seatmates and the dreaded no-Wi-Fi zone, Mzansi flyers have spoken. Loudly.
Here are the five biggest in-flight irritations South Africans love to hate – and, more importantly, the clever tricks Flight Centre’s General Manager, Antoinette Turner, recommends to beat each one.
1. Flight delays & cancellations (49%)
Nearly half of South African travellers ranked delays and cancellations as their number one travel gripe. Sadly, from weather-related chaos to staff shortages and runway backlogs, delays are more common than ever.
So, how do you beat them?
- Build in buffer time: Leave wiggle room if you’ve booked connecting flights (especially in less reliable hubs). That seemingly dreamy 55-minute layover is a serious gamble.
- Download your airline’s app: Airlines often update their own apps before relaying info to gate staff or email alerts. It’s the fastest way to receive push notifications on rebooking options or gate changes.
- Get smart about travel insurance: “Many South African travel insurance policies cover delays that exceed 4–6 hours,” explains Turner. “Depending on the provider, you could claim for meals, accommodation, and other expenses, but only if you can prove the delay. Keep every receipt, screenshot your boarding pass, and make that claim within the window your policy allows.”
2. Lost luggage (47%)
Second only to delays, lost luggage is another big flying frustration for South African travellers – but with the global luggage mishandling rate at approximately 6.3 bags per 1,000 passengers, the chances of it happening to you are very low (but never zero).
So, how do you beat it?
- Pack smart – cabin is king: Always keep your essentials (meds, chargers, toiletries, a change of clothes, and any valuables) in your hand luggage.
- Track it, don’t hope it: Invest in a Bluetooth luggage tracker (like an AirTag or Tile) and pop it inside your checked bag. That way, even if the airline’s lost your bag physically, you haven’t lost it digitally. Also look into Blueribbon bags, a service that helps you quickly recover lost luggage or guarantees a minimum $1,000 payment per bag if the luggage isn’t returned within four days.
- Your phone is a witness: Snap a quick photo of your bag before check-in and keep images of the contents and receipts for any valuables. If you need to submit a baggage claim, insurers and airlines will want proof. The better your documentation, the stronger your case.
“Most South African insurers offer cover for lost, stolen, delayed or damaged luggage, but conditions vary,” says Turner.
Important things to remember:
- Claims usually have time limits – e.g., report within 21 days for delayed luggage, and even sooner (often 24–72 hours) for theft or damage.
- You’ll likely need a formal Property Irregularity Report (PIR) from the airline.
- Valuables (phones, laptops, jewellery) are often only covered if they’re in your cabin bag.
3. Disruptive passengers (47%)
Disruptive passengers, whether they’re overly emotional, tipsy, loud, or just wildly unaware of common decency, are enough to send your blood pressure to the same altitude as the plane.
So, how do you beat this problem?
- Bring noise-cancelling headphones: They’re the single best investment in modern travel, period.
- Be strategic with your seat selection: If you’re hoping for quiet, skip the bulkhead – that’s where bassinets (and restless little ones) tend to go. A seat toward the back is often noisier, while rows just in front of the wings tend to be quieter and more stable.
- Speak up – politely and early: If someone is noticeably drunk, aggressive, or making your flight painful, discreetly alert a flight attendant sooner rather than later.
4. The dreaded middle seat (27%)
Ah, the middle seat. It’s the spot no one chooses… but someone always ends up in.
So, how do you beat it?
- Book early. Choose wisely. Pay if you must: Gone are the days of playing airplane roulette at check-in. If you want control, claim it in advance. Some airlines charge for seat selection, but ask yourself: is R500* worth avoiding 11 hours squashed between two sleepy elbow sprawlers? Yes. Yes, it is.
- Travelling in a pair? Use the sneaky aisle-window trick: Book the aisle and window seats in a set of three. Most solo travellers won’t pick the middle, and if they do, you can always offer a swap and sit next to your mate anyway.
“Strategic seat selection is one of the easiest ways to upgrade your flight experience, without actually flying business class. At Flight Centre, we always help customers check what their airline offers and when seat selection opens,” comments Turner.
5. No Wi-Fi on board (27%)
You’ve planned the perfect binge session: downloaded the first two episodes, ready to stream the rest mid-air. You’ve got emails to smash and braggy Instagram posts to queue. Then it hits you: no Wi-Fi. Or worse… Wi-Fi that connects but doesn’t actually work.
So, how do you beat it?
- Download everything: Don’t rely on onboard Wi-Fi to keep you entertained or productive. Before you fly:
- Netflix: download your series.
- Spotify: offline playlists.
- Google Docs: use “Offline Mode” for working in the cloud without the cloud.
- Gmail & Outlook: turn on offline inboxing if you’ll be emailing between time zones.
- Rediscover the beauty of Things That Don’t Need Charging™: Remember books? Magazines? Crossword puzzles? They still exist, and you’ve probably forgotten how much fun they can be.
- Reframe the moment: No Wi-Fi = the rare gift of being unreachable. Use that luxurious isolation to nap, journal, brainstorm your next trip, or plan your entire European itinerary via pen and recycled boarding pass.
“Not every bump in the journey can be avoided,” says Turner, “but being informed and prepared means you respond better – stress less, adapt faster, and enjoy the trip a whole lot more.”
Here’s to smoother skies, smarter flying… and fewer elbow wars at 10,600 meters.
*Seat selection pricing varies between airlines
