Worst experience ever

<p>I bought a full house ticket for myself at R8k plus as well as a ticket for my partner to Namibia on SA Express on 16/07/2017. Flight SA1701. I usually try not to book on this carrier as a result of past experiences - flights are usually delayed. The flight was supposed to take off at 11.55. The outbound flight was delayed for nearly 4 hours as a result of technical problems. After about 40 minutes in the air, the plane made a sudden turn and we were told that the vessel is returning to OR Tambo in mid-air as a result of the same technical problems that caused the flight to be delayed in the first place and which were supposedly rectified and which received the green light to fly again! This was shocking in itself.</p> <p>We eventually managed to leave the airport after 20.00 - this after we were at the airport from 09.00. SA Express then booked as into a hotel and this is where our nightmare continued. I do not know what is the relationship between the carrier and this establishmement, but is was to say the least extremely dissapointing! It was a total sub-standard accommodation. We ordered dinner between 08.30 and 08.45. When we eventually threaten to leave after 22.15 of not receiving our food, we were told that the kitchen is too small to handle all the people! The question then begs is - why did SA Express then booked a plane full of passengers into this establishment? I can assure you that most if not all of the passengers were very dissapointed and have become very agitated at this moment. </p> <p>Then came another shock - when we ordered still water, we were told that they run out of still water - how is this possible? Back in our room, I had to disinfect the shower floor with hot kettle water - it looked disgusting to say the least. Our telephone in the room was out of order and I had to phone reception from my cell phone. The hair dryer did not work and as I sit here just before 05.00 typing this report, I am contemplating to skip breakfast and return to the airport and relax at the slow lounge for our 2nd attempt for a succesful outward flight to our destination.</p> <p>We were told that the outward flight is going to be the same time - thus 11.55. If no delays, it will mean that I have lost a whole day in Namibia. I have booked in the beautiful Hansa hotel in Swakopmund, where my first night was now a fruitless expenditure. Was it not possible for SA Express to get one of their vessels to send a plane full of passengers on a earlier flight? I understand that we are now going to fly with a bigger plane as to accomodate the passengers of the Monday flight as well as the passengers from the aborted Sunday flight.</p> <p>It is going to be interesting to see if SA Express is going to approach us to offer compensation for our accomodation and also to find out if we would like to extend our stay in Namibia with a day as to do what we planned to do and to present us with an opportunity to fly back to South Africa a day later than the original inbound booking at their expense.</p> <p>We however still have to see if there is going to be an available flight and tickets for all the passengers of the cancelled flight and I wonder how they are going to adress the seating arrangements?</p> <p>I will report back. </p>