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“Disgraceful!”
Review of Airlink


Reviewed 30 October 2024

I had a very negative experience flying on this airline. To summarize, I will absolutely try to avoid ever flying with them again unless I had no other options. I will give detailed account of what happened for anyone who might be interested in knowing more details.

I flew from Namibia to Botswana with a connection in Johannesburg. The first flight was delayed in arrival. The pilot told us that only one runway was open for landing, so we circled around for a while and the flight landed about 40 minutes late. Then we had to wait for the bus to transfer all the passengers from the plane to the airport. I had to go through security and passport checks as well. The departure gate for the next flight was about a 15 minute walk from where I was after I got through the security check. There are no carts available (like there are in USA) to try to quickly take you to the terminal. I asked one Airlink employee to call my gate and let them know I was coming. Her answer was "Sir, you better run fast". I just missed the boarding by about 10 minutes and the airplane was still there but they had closed the doors.

About 10 other people had the exact same problem because their initial flights had also delayed in landing and so we had all missed our connecting flight. We hung around the terminal for about 45 minutes until 2 employees came back to us and told us that there was nothing they could do since it was the "airport's fault"! They offered absolutely no apologies, no help whatsoever. They told me to go to "transit" to try to get my checked luggage and that I would have to purchase a new ticket to Botswana.

Another guy (who was also coming from Namibia) and I finally found the "transit" area. We spoke with another Airlink employee, who was thankfully more helpful. She made a few phone calls. She was trying to confirm that the first flight had indeed had a delay in arrival. I find it incredible that they don't easily have that information available in their system. After a couple of hours, she booked us flights on Airlink to our destination for the next morning. We were not charged for the new flights, but she refused to pay for our overnight accommodation or give us any voucher or any financial help with an airport lounge or hotel.

Few other people who had flown with Qatar airlines told us that they got both a new flight as well as overnight accommodation arranged through Qatar airlines, which of course was Qatar airline doing the right thing and fulfilling it's responsibility to the customers. I wish Airlink had done the same for us.

We did fly to Botswana the next morning and my luggage did arrive safely as well.

In summary, Airlink's flight was delayed causing me to miss my connection. There were no apologies. No one took the initiative to help us out. After about 3 hours, we were able to get a new flight booked, but Airlink refused to help us with any overnight accommodation or meals. This seems to be an airline that takes your money, but does not take care of the customers when something goes wrong.

Best regards to everyone and happy travels.

Date of travel: October 2024
    • Seat comfort
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    • Food and Beverage
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    • Value for money
    • Check-in and boarding
Thank 120johann
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviews (631)
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24 - 28 of 631 reviews

Reviewed 15 October 2024

For a low-cost regional 1-hour flight/airline, the food was amazing, they have 2 types with a great dish. There was no TV and everything else, but everything was on time, and was smooth.

Date of travel: December 2023
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Thank Leo G
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 11 October 2024

On 08/10/2024 just before take-off and later during the flight I have a blackout. The way in which the flight attendants in particular and pilots respond to this is fantastic! They immediately came to help even though they were very shocked themselves In addition to care and attention for me, they also pay full attention to my wife, who is logically completely upset. Well done ladies and rest of the crew. Thank you for your help and attention. Kind regards, Danny Sleurink

Date of travel: October 2024
    • Seat comfort
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Thank danny s
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 7 October 2024

This awful airline flew all the way to Umtata only to complain about not have the correct instrumentation to land at the airport through the cloud cover. Then returned with with a weak "sorry for the inconvenience" but we are not liable for costs associated with missed connection flights. A manager won't even avail themselves to explain to a plane load of business travellers as to why the planes flown to certain airports are ill equipped to land in cloudy conditions. And still they take bookings and fly out of OR Tambo to its destination only to issue cancellations once the plane returns to the originating airport. I would expect the inconvenience of a cancelled early morning flight with all its costs, planning and preparations would receive something beyond a refund for the ticket. But alas, no. You get your luggage back and that's it. Appalling.

Date of travel: October 2024
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    • In-flight Entertainment
    • Value for money
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Thank Desre N
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 27 September 2024

We had 2 flights, connection in Johannesburg, both were good with food drinks and comfy seats. Checked in on line and baggage drop was easy, bags checked right through. Would be happy to fly with them again.

Date of travel: September 2024
    • Seat comfort
    • Customer service
    • Cleanliness
    • Food and Beverage
    • Legroom
    • Value for money
    • Check-in and boarding
Thank Maree R
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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