A review of flight GE 201 operated by South Africa’s Lift Airline, flying between Johannesburg and Durban.
AFRICA TRAVEL INDABA
I flew from Johannesburg to Durban to attend a tourism event, Africa Travel Indaba – known as Africa’s premium travel expo, for exhibitors from around the continent, and buyers from around the world.
The 3-day expo is held annually in the South African city of Durban.
EARLY LIFT AIRLINE FLIGHT
Taking an early morning flight on 14 May, I decided to check-in online and get a digital boarding pass.
This was to prevent any unforeseen delays or challenges in the morning at the airport.
The flight was scheduled to depart Johannesburg Airport at 06.00, and arrive in Durban Airport at 07.05.
JOHANNESBURG AIRPORT
I arrived at the domestic terminal at 04.56 giving myself ample time to be on time! The airport was surprisingly busy considering the time of day.
I had no engagement with check-in staff as I skipped this entirely.
Though the airline offers check-in services, without baggage and with my digital boarding pass, I proceeded to security – which was surprisingly fast considering the queue when I joined the line.
DEPARTURE GATE
Checking the display board for the gate, I noticed that GE 201 was leaving from gate D5.
I made my way to the gate and sat there from about 05.14. The airline says that check-in closes 45 minutes prior to departure and that gates close 15 minutes before flight departure.
At 05.24 Lift also sent a notification to my phone advising the gate number and the departure time.
BOARDING
Boarding began at 05.30 through the front and back doors of the aircraft.
On entering the aircraft, there was a surprise. The flight was to be operated by a Boeing 737 aircraft – not Lift’s usual Airbus A320, which it uses to operate scheduled flights.
There were no company logos or names on the disposable headrest covers.
CABIN CREW
Two polite and formally dressed crew members welcomed passengers at the front door, while another two were standing in the middle of the aircraft, ready to be of assistance to passengers.
The crew upfront were not wearing Lift’s casual uniforms but formal attire with their name tags pinned to their shirts so it did not feel like the typical Lift experience.
After speaking to one of the crew, I learnt that Lift was operating this flight with aircraft and crew leased from Star Air.
This is due to its own aircraft being deployed on charter flights in other parts of Africa.
Lift has also suspended operations on one of its key routes for a month.
THE AIRCRAFT
The aircraft was a Boeing 737-300 model. It was operated by Star Air, a charter company based in Johannesburg.
The company wet-leases its aircraft to airlines who need solutions when things ‘crop up’.
Star Air has in the past operated scheduled services for the former Comair, Kulula, SA Express, Mango, Fastjet, South African Airways and Lift Airline.
PASSENGER CABIN
The Star Air Boeing 737-300 narrow-body was configured in a full economy layout, with 3 seats on either side of the aisle.
The spacious leather seating was comfortable and there was decent leg-room between the rows.
There was no display of company livery or branding inside the cabin (nor outside the aircraft).
SEATING
I was seated on the aisle at 11C, one row ahead of the emergency exit row.
The seats could be reclined and there were no footrests in front of the seats.
In addition, there were no coat hooks or displays in the seatbacks.
The tray tables were grey and of decent size.
CREW ANNOUNCEMENTS
There was an announcement from the flight deck before departure, introducing the flight deck crew and giving passengers some information about the flight to Durban.
Once the doors were closed and flight checks done, the flight attendant in charge introduced herself and the crew members operating the cabin service.
It turned out that there were 5 cabin crew on the flight. Two were stationed in the front while three were stationed in the back.
Three were employees of the charter company while two were Lift Airline employees.
Regulations require three registered crew from the charter airline to be on duty for safety purposes, while Lift has two of its own crew members on board as representatives, who are involved in the cabin service operation.
TAKE OFF
The flight took off from Johannesburg at 06.28 after some delays in placing cabin suitcases in the hold.
The aircraft took off from Runway 03 L, heading in a northerly direction. After take-off and a few right turns, the flight was headed for Durban.
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LIFT AIRLINE INFLIGHT SERVICE
After the seatbelt lights were switched off, the cabin crew began their trolley service. Assisted by a Star Air crew member, one Lift crew member worked with each of the two trolleys in the cabin.
Lift’s customary inflight offering includes coffee (Vida e caffe brand), tea, water, or fruit juice accompanied by a monster-size oak cookie.
Moreover, this was available at no additional cost to each passenger.
The cabin crew made few but clear announcements during the short flight.
COMING INTO DURBAN
By 06.50 the aircraft began its descent for Durban.
From the flight deck, Captain Johannes Van Rooyen made another announcement, giving details of the landing time, runway number, the local temperature and thanked passengers.
LANDING IN DURBAN
The flight landed smoothly in Durban at 07.12, to a cloudy 18 degrees centigrade.
Passengers exited the aircraft through both the front and back doors.
When exiting from the back, passengers walked around the wing, while exiting the front gave direct entry into the terminal building.
Durban airport was very quiet. It seemed that this might have been the first arrival for the day.
There were no delays in getting from the aircraft through to the arrivals hall since there were just the 134 passengers, that had arrived from Johannesburg on flight GE 201.
FLIGHT REVIEW: LIFT AIRLINE
In conclusion, GE 201 was a very pleasant flight. Despite not actually being operated by a Lift Airline Airbus A320 aircraft.
Star Air’s pleasant and professional crew more than made up for the absence of Lift’s comfortable aircraft.
However, Lift’s onboard crew meant that Lift’s customary hospitality was delivered.
I trust readers will benefit from this review of Lift Airline’s low-cost flights.
