Add a touch of luxe to your holiday before you take off. We’ve rounded up the best airport travel tips, plus special deals and offers to help make your journey unforgettable.
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You don’t have to break the bank to indulge in airport luxury. It’s all about taking these airport travel tips on board and making good use of them! For a small fee or by showing the right bank card, you can disappear through executive-lounge doors, use a chauffeur service, fast-track through security, and even squeeze in a spa treatment or two…
Here are our essential airport travel tips to remember before your next trip:
Lounge like a VIP passenger
Executive lounges used to be for first-class and business-class passengers only, but now, for a fee or a flash of a qualifying bank card, anyone can use them (usually for up to three hours). Local airport-lounge prices vary, ranging from R250 to R425 per adult for a once-off visit without membership.
Few local lounges offer monthly memberships, but you could try signing up to a reward scheme with an airline, such as British Airways, that throws in lounge access. For a list of local airports’ domestic and international departure lounges, click on the ‘Airports’ tab at airports.co.za. For airport lounges abroad, buy passes through an agent like loungepass.com or prioritypass.com.
Or download the free Lounge Buddy app (for iOS/Apple) to find and book a lounge by budget and location. If you’re flying from OR Tambo International Airport, book a day pass to any one of the six premium lounges, by clicking here.
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Exclusive luxury in the slow lounge
Slow Lounges are in these international airports: O.R. Tambo; Cape Town; King Shaka.
The cost
Free for qualifying clients of FNB, British Airways, RMB, AirFrance, Delta Air Lines and Comair Limited. No walk-in cash visits are accepted.
Visit slow.co.za for the list of criteria.
You get
Usual food and drinks, plus free Wi-Fi, luxe showers, and access to Amani Spa for free 15- to 60-minute massages (time offer based on lounge).
For walk-ins
Bidvest Premier Lounge at George and East London airports, and at these international airports: O.R. Tambo; Lanseria; Cape Town; King Shaka; Port Elizabeth; Bram Fischer.
The cost
From R254pp (domestic flight) to R417pp (international); under-twos free †.
You get
Two- to four-hour stay and free snacks, drinks and Wi-FI
Visit bidvestlounge.co.za for more information.
Need some shut-eye?
Heathrow Airport, Terminal 3
Catch up on some sleep in one of No1 Lounges’ private bedrooms with an en-suite shower. From £20 per hour (about R379) for singles. Minimum three hours’ stay; accessible for Terminal 3 transfer passengers only.
Visit no1traveller.com for more information.
Igloo Pod in Sleep Lounge, Dubai International Airport, Terminal 3
These private sleeping pods have flat-bed seats for single travellers who need to catch some Zz’s (disposable headrest covers free; optional pillows and blankets available at extra cost).
Igloos have hand-luggage storage and can be converted into a private office pod if you need to do work. Prices range based on hours booked and time of day, starting at US$33 (about R458) for single use to US$79 (about R1000) for double use. Minimum two-hour stay
Visit sleep-n-fly.com for more information.
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Yawn Cabin in Sleep Lounge, Dubai International Airport, Terminal 3
A small, private cubicle with a double bed, and pull-out mattress for one child. It’s air-conditioned and soundproof; it has reading lights and luggage storage. Prices start at US$29 (about R402) for single use to US$63 (about R874) for double use. Minimum two-hour stay.
Visit sleep-n-fly.com for more information.
A touch of glamour in the Clubroom
Visit the ultimate No1 Lounges Clubroom, Gatwick Airport.
The cost
Entry for adults and kids over 12 years costs £45 (about R796).
You get
Access to state-of-the-art entertainment; latest films; unlimited Wi-Fi; a fine-dining menu, most drinks; and fast-track through security lanes – all complimentary.
Visit no1lounges.com for more information.
Fancy some pampering?
Cape Town International Airport
At the domestic terminal, check out Express Hair & Skin salon (from R180 for 20-minute short-hair wash and blow-dry).
Click here for more information.
King Shaka International Airport
Try a full 30-minute mani with nail polish, from R220, at the Yemaya Express Nail Bar.
O.R. Tambo International Airport
In the duty-free mall in Terminal A, check out Letsema Xpress Spa, where you can indulge in a massage or facial or have a mani, pedi or even a wax (from R100 for 10-minute hand-and-arm massage).
The celebrity experience…
Flythru is a locally run meet-and-greet service at Cape Town, O.R. Tambo, and King Shaka international airports. You’re met at your arrival or departure terminal and assisted with your baggage before being taken through customs, streamlining the process. From R714 (excl. VAT) for up to four people. Flythru can also organise a chauffeur service on your behalf, at an extra fee.
Visit flythru.co.za for more information.
Fasttrack is a global meet-and-greet biz working in O.R. Tambo, King Shaka, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town international airports as well as at George Airport. They take you to your driver (or connecting flight) via baggage, security, immigration and customs. From US$149pp (about R2 139); from US$199pp (about R2 857) with connection; excl. 4% processing fee.
Visit southafricafasttrack.com for more information.
Fuss-free duty-free
Did you know you can reserve duty-free products before you arrive at the airport and that some service providers give you the option to have these items delivered to your plane seat? worlddutyfree.com allows you to order anything, from a bottle of rum to aftershave, up to a month in advance of your flight and you can collect items from all World Duty Free, Alpha and Biza stores in the UK and at Düsseldorf Duty Free in Germany.
With British Airways’ Buy Before You Fly service, you can buy goods (three months to three days before your flight) to be delivered to your seat (not available on short-haul and some long-haul flights).
Visit highlifeshop.com for more information.
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Easier check-in
South African Airways’ elite travellers (members of SAA Voyager, Lifetime Platinum, Platinum and Platinum Elect) can use the VIP Kerbside check-in services free of charge. The service has a chauffeur that collects you and drops you off at a special entrance at the airport, where a concierge takes care of your baggage, boarding passes and check-in, while you enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.
Click here for more information.
Hand over your car keys
Passengers travelling locally via Cape Town International for short business trips can try Automotion Park & Fly. You get a prime spot at the terminal’s entrance, and once you’ve parked and handed over your keys, your car is kept safe and is valeted. While convenience is Automotion’s key, at R125 a day for 6-10 days and R100 per day thereafter, it’s also cheaper than the airport’s long-stay parking.
Visit automotion.co.za for more information
By Angelique Ruzicka
