ZED Fares and International Jumpseating

3enginejock

3enginejock

Well-Known Member
Hey guys I have a quick question about some traveling I am doing later this month from IAD to JNB (South Africa).

I am debating whether to just jumpseat on Delta from IAD to ATL and then to JNB from there or if it is even possible to buy a ZED fare on South African from IAD. I am guessing Delta is the cheaper route? The only thing I am worried about is getting back on Delta, I have heard jumpseating from outside the country to get back in gets tricky?

Colgan pilot here btw.
 
I hear it's tricky on Delta because of the Dakar connection....you don't want to get bumped in Dakar :p

I have no idea about ZED down in that direction esp in the world of Colgan, sorry.
 
3enginejock said:
Hey guys I have a quick question about some traveling I am doing later this month from IAD to JNB (South Africa).

I am debating whether to just jumpseat on Delta from IAD to ATL and then to JNB from there or if it is even possible to buy a ZED fare on South African from IAD. I am guessing Delta is the cheaper route? The only thing I am worried about is getting back on Delta, I have heard jumpseating from outside the country to get back in gets tricky?

Colgan pilot here btw.
Click to expand...

The problem with jumpseating on Delta from ATL to JNB is that it is a 4 man crew and there is no actual "jumpseat" available. The only way to "jumpseat" is if there is a seat available in the back.

FYI.

In flying that route for over 2 years I have noticed that it's easier to get there than to get back as a non-rev.

There are other alternatives; make sure you have ID-90's on South African, Air France and British Airways through Europe as a back-up.



Kevin
 
staplegun said:
The problem with jumpseating on Delta from ATL to JNB is that it is a 4 man crew and there is no actual "jumpseat" available. The only way to "jumpseat" is if there is a seat available in the back.

FYI.

In flying that route for over 2 years I have noticed that it's easier to get there than to get back as a non-rev.
There are other alternatives; make sure you have ID-90's on South African, Air France and British Airways through Europe as a back-up.



Kevin
Click to expand...

This point would be moot, because you can't ride in the actual jumpseat on an international flight anyway. So there will have to seats in back.

You can always buy a ZED fare as a backup on South African or someone else. But why use it unless you have to? Jumpseating is free, except for perhaps the international taxes once you depart JNB.
 
When you're that far from home, buy a ZED on every airline that does the route just in case. You can get a full refund if they are unused after 90 days. Check on your deal with South African, I know the company I work for and some others have a deal where you can pay about $1100 and get positive space JFK/IAD-CPT/JNB with 2 free bags. Its a good deal.

I hear South African isn't that great though. Most people I know who have gone there have flown to FRA or LHR where a ton of airlines service South Africa from and you have a wide selection. Lufthansa is one of the few that has buisness class ZED fares you can buy that are only slightly more expensive than standard ZED fares. Buisness of LH would be the way to go if you couldn't get on Delta and didn't want to pay for South African.
 
ChasenSFO said:
Lufthansa is one of the few that has buisness class ZED fares you can buy that are only slightly more expensive than standard ZED fares. Buisness of LH would be the way to go if you couldn't get on Delta and didn't want to pay for South African.
Click to expand...

Oh my gosh. I am glad you typed this; in a decent amount of non-revving I have never taken Lufthansa and didn't realize they were one of the few that broke down ZEDs into economy or an actual business class listing.

With weight restrictions on JNB-ATL from time to time, if I were going I think I would just make plan A a business class ZED on Lufthansa to FRA and then either take them or an American carrier home from there.
 
ZED is available on SAA. Flew them from FRA-CPT RT 2 years ago for approx 350 even got up graded for free on the Return trip. SAA out of IAD should be no problem. I just chose not to take the 18+ hour trip and the opportunity to avoid JNB at the time instead for the IAD-FRA including spending a couple hours in town.
 
I will say LH business class is awesome. Did a roundtrip ORD-FRA 747-400 a couple of years ago and felt totally rested upon arrival in FRA. Avoid econ class if at all possible on long haul flights.
 
Also should mention since LH is being talked about, I know some airlines in EU, such as KL and LH, will let any airline employee(not just pilots) sit in FA and pilot jumpseats on full flights with a ZED fare. Kind of a cool story, I have a coworker(gate agent) who was trying to get home from DXB. DXB-FRA on LH, they offered her the pilot jumpseat and it got her to FRA. A snowstorm in FRA had tons of canceled flights so she took a train to AMS. Because several European airports were shut down due to snow, KLM was all full but said she could have the FA jumpseat if it came down to it. Not the most comfy seat, but it got her there. FA even woke her up with almost an entire meal from first class she put togeather from left overs and was appologetic that there wasn't a salad to offer her and hoped she would "forgive her". Now that's service!
 
Question regarding ZEDs. I posted this in another thread as well.

I've never used benefits to go somewhere internationally but I'm wondering what the process is. Can one go to the gate of ANY airline flight and list as a jumpseat or would you HAVE to purchase ZEDs for an airline that you don't have agreements with? Example, I work for a regional and have benefits with delta and united. Can I try to get on an Emirates or LH flight for free in any way or would I absolutely have to get a ZED?


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