Len and I are on Delta flight 128 from JFK to CPT on 9/12. This is a 767-300ER. Right now, we're booked in exit row 21 seats a and b. SeatGuru warns about these seats saying that while there is extra legroom, the seat arm rests are immovable (slimmer seat) and the cushion length is a bit shorter than normal. I'm thinking the legroom makes these seats better than non-exit row seats, but I'm not sure.

We're in coach on the way to South Africa and biz on the way back. Going to Cape Town, there are 186 coach seats and according to today's seat map, 78 coach seats are empty. Of course I realize that those maps aren't always very accurate.

I think I'll stick with the exit rows for now but I'm wondering...if when we get to the airport and the plane is still somewhat empty, should we try to move to a row in the back of the plane and both claim aisle seats hoping that the middle will remain empty? Is that too risky?

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Andrea

Andrea, check www.seatexpert.com - it provides a bit more detail than SeatGuru. Looking at that site, it sounds like 21 A&B are pretty good seats - however, they are very close to the lavatories, which might be a bother.

I also see that whoever of the 2 of you ends up in seat 21A won't have anyone reclining into you - that is a HUGE bonus in my book.

Andrea, now that I see your flight pattern going all the way to CPT on Delta, I wish I had flown up to JFK, and had the direct flight to CPT with Delta. We have to go BWI to Atlanta to JNB on Delta and change airlines (and luggage) to get on SAA flight down to CPT. Last time we went on SAA all the way from Washington D.C. You are traveling the same day, but get there earlier than we do!

Olivia: Tony mentioned that when we flew Delta to NYC why are we changing in JNB?? (he was reading their flight magazine) and not flying JFK to CPT? I couldn't remember the answer :mecry: :mecry: :rolleyes:

I dunno. It may be that Delta didn't have that route until June, maybe, and we booked way early. We are stuck with what we have, and have to live with it.

I thought Delta was doing JFK-CPT and ATL-JNB, with a "scissor hub" in Dakar. We looked at going to CPT instead of changing in JNB, but I was spooked at having to change planes in Dakar, in the wee hours.

They only started going into CPT in June.

Think you are right - it was in the "making" but we booked early - I can live with it knowing my "destination" :app: :app: :app:

Kristin,

Thanks so much for recommending that website! It's much better than Seat Guru. I think we're going to keep the exit row seats. Len is rather tall and if we can get a seat where no one is reclining into him...he'll be in heaven! Well, as close to heaven as you can get in coach! LOL!

Pam, from our itinerary, it looks like we don't need to change planes in Dakar. We stop and refuel there but we stay on the same plane. I do believe we need to change plans in Dakar on the way home though (JNB to JFK). That should be "interesting."

We were only able to get the JFK-CPT leg after Delta changed the schedule on our original JFK-JNB award tickets. It happened right at the same time that they announced the CPT flight, so they allowed us to change to that flight with no fee.

I can't believe we leave in just one week!

Andrea

Andrea, I know you don't change planes, but we are flying from ATL and would be changing. I am up to a lot of experiences, but decided not to try for that one.

: - ) I know exactly what you mean, Pam! Safe travels from Atlanta! Leonard and I are looking forward to seeing you and Mark at Leopard Hills.

Andrea

We came back with one of those "scissor hub stops" in dakar..and believe me it would behoove you if you can in any way bypass that stop..
what a nightmare.
They made everyone empty there overhead bins to claim their "stuff"..TSA came on and searched everyone and every seat..tearing the plane apart .. ( we asked and were told this is a common procedure on ever stop there) nice hospitality.. :rolleyes: ..and then they proceeded to walk up and down the aisles to DEBUG the passangers.. it was unbelievable..
doesn't matter where you were on the plane..

Howdy girlfriend, it's nice to see your smiling face!

Just checked the weather for the long range forecast. There is a lot of wind and rain predicted for Cape Town while we are there unfortunately.

14th and 15th shows strong winds. The best days for the sharks appears to be for those in Cindys group at Birkenhead on 16 and 17th, when those two days are supposed to be sunny and the 17th would be a perfect shark day. Of course things can change and not be as expected. We had one really windy rainy day on ROAR and some nice days also.

There is a big system heading that way that is basically south of South Africa but touches on Cape Town. Lets hope it moves faster than expected because it will probably be clear once that passes through.

It also looks quite cool with temperatures in the upper 50's so pack a few warmer things for Cape Town.

My weather juju is going to be tested!

The good news is the game parks area is light winds, and sunny. Being more in the interior they do not get the diverse weather that Cape Town experiences. This is really the most important part of the trip so at least that is good news.

As a weather nut, can you tell me where you are getting a long range forecast that far out for Cape Town?The best site I found showed Northern & Easern Cape, but skipped CPT.

i've searched & only found one site that goes beyond 7 days - and that site showed Abundant Sunshine for every day we'll be there. as a matter of fact, it showed Sunshine for Every Day I looked at - and it also showed rainfall expected of about an inch each day for the next month. I don't think that site is really showing a weather forecast!

http://www.accuweather.com/world-forecast-15day.asp?partner=netweather&traveler=0&locCode=AFR|ZA|SF011|CAPE%20TOWN&metric=0

(I changed the link to the 15 day forecast)

This is the best one I have found. There are so many some one else may have a better site. This goes out 15 days in advance. The forecast improved a bit overnight. You can see the weather system that is south of South Africa and the big high pressure further north. If that HIGH would just push that LOW south it would be perfect.

Thanks. That's the site I was trying to find the weather at but it could not find Cape Town. OK - maybe it's too early for me right now :eek:

That forecast isn't looking too terrible - reminds me of london. But it does change the way I am going to pack - I guess I won't be planning on shorts & light shirt in CPT, and maybe rethink the jacket I'm bringing.

Am watching wildearth.tv right now and the ranger o nthe drive just mentioned that there is some possibility of some rain in the next 2 weeks, but most likely there won't be any rain for another months up there.

Dang, I'd better rethink half my wardrobe! After this warm summer, my blood won't be ready for such cool temps.

It looks like the camps are going to be a LOT warmer than Cape Town.

I remember being almost cold at times when it rained in Capetown and was glad for a jacket. I think we may need one for the boat trip as well.

However, the camps get really hot during the day and are comfortable in the evening, requiring a wrap or light jacket. In the jeep, with the wind blowing, I was cold though, layers are needed, if you are thin skinned.

The mornings especially may be quite cool in the jeeps. At least once or twice I think I wore a fleece vest under my jacket. They also provided us with blankets in the jeeps that you could put over your knees. That said, once the sun becomes strong later in the day, you start shedding layers very quickly.

-------------

Eugene

Oh, I fully remember jackets, blankets and hot water bottles in the mornings at Singita. But I was guessing at cities close to the camps and was seeing some 100's in the afternoon. Now, that would be unpleasant.

Pam, you were right. It got warm and was hot as the daylight hit. The weather was extreme. I remember piling on the layers in the morning and peeling them off to a tee shirt. THe afternoons usually started with shorts and a tank top and by the time we returned it was brisker. The mornings were the worst.

Well, being among the thin-skinned ;) , we nearly froze in the mornings and after the sun went down on the game drives. I had the blanket wrapped around me, plus a jacket, sweater and long sleeved shirt and was still cold. By mid morning and until the sun went down, the temperature was more comfortable, but I still needed a jacket. But we were there in April (their fall), which may have been cooler than it will be in September which is spring down there. Also, we live in a warm climate and aren't as used to the cold. Anyway, be sure you have something warm to wear just in case.