Kenya Airways – Amending / Buying a Flight Ticket
Good News: The Kenya Airways Office in Kampala is easy to find, next to the parliament building.
Bad News: There are a dozen desks manned by only 2 members of staff.
GN: There are no other customers waiting, they have plenty of comfortable chairs to sit on, a TV to watch and air conditioning.
BN: I still have to wait for some time before someone is available to see me.
GN: Joy seems very nice and helpful and seems to understand what I’m trying to do, even though it’s actually quite complicated.
BN: She can’t make any changes without first checking with the issuing office of the original ticket.
GN: I had planned to go to the cinema to see the new James Bond film so I will come back later.
BN – I miss the first 10 minutes of the film and probably the best action sequence in it.
GN: The film is 2.5 hours long and very good. I also get a soda in the price of the ticket.
BN: I have to walk all the way back to the Kenya Airways office and the traffic is manic.
GN: There’s no one else waiting and after a few minutes I see Ariman who is able to change my international flight.
BN: He can’t confirm my seat on the Entebbe to Nairobi leg until tomorrow.
GN: He can book me a Nairobi to Mombasa return flight.
BN: It costs $432!
GN: He suggests I book it online as it’s cheaper but keeps the reservation he has made as a back up.
BN: The hostel wiifi isn’t working and even with my dongle it takes 2 hours to make the online booking.
GN: It’s only $208.
BN: I get to the office the next morning to pay and discover my online booking has been cancelled and there are no seats on that flight!
GN: Lucetta thinks she can fix it.
BN: I have to kill an hour in downtown Kampala while she sorts it and the nearby café has outrageous prices for coffee.
GN: Back at the Kenya Airways office Lucetta has sorted out my flights and has managed to keep the cost to a minimum.
BN: It’s now raining and I have a squashed, damp ride back in a local matatu and then get soaked as a big lorry splashes through a huge puddle.
GN: Hot chai masala and a hot shower await at the hostel.
Flying Kenya Airways to Uganda
Good News: Flying from Terminal 4, my favourite Heathrow terminal and even better now that British Airways has moved to T5.
Bad News: Starbucks – my guilty pleasure at T4 – has disappeared and been replaced by a pink monstrosity advertising artisanal bread.
GN: They sell chai latte.
BN: It’s not as good as Starbucks.
GN: I have plenty of time to enjoy it.
BN: Gate 24 is miles away and I’m 30 mins late according to the note given to me by check in which I didn’t read.
GN: They’re not closing the gate yet and I’m not the last. Also the plane is only a quarter full and it’s a Boeing 777.
BN: It’s looking a bit tired with mis-matched seats.
GN: The latest edition of the in-flight magazine is available and there’s lots of good films to watch.
BN: The movies available must be last months as they bear no resemblance to what’s listed and I have to move three times to find a screen that works.
GN: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and Safe House turn out to be great films.
BN: The headphones don’t fit or work well so I end up using my own and can only hear through one ear.
GN: I get a proper gluten-free meal with a wonderful gluten-free bread roll.
BN: The meal seems to be dairy free too and rather bland.
GN: Salad, chicken with vegetables and fruit is all very healthy.
BN: The South African wine is awful.
GN: I’m served first by a friendly young steward.
BN: He has terrible BO!
GN: It’s a smooth relaxing flight with no disturbances (screaming kids, drunks or loonies).
BN: It’s 8 hours long and by the time we get to Nairobi I’m already knackered.
GN: Only 1.5 hours to kill in Nairobi.
BN: The airport hasn’t changed a bit over the years. Still dull, claustrophobic with inadequate facilities and a lack of chairs.
GN: It’s relatively quiet and security is so laid back it’s almost a pleasure.
BN: The gate TV is showing some dreadful African soap drama which involves a lot of shouting and overdramatic music.
GN: We board the aircraft in good time.
BN: It’s packed out and people have too much hand luggage and nowhere to put it. The staff are useless, so we depart 30 mins late.
GN: Another gluten-free meal – a massive platter of fresh fruit.
BN: Nothing to eat it with.
GN: The stewardess finds a fork from business class.
BN: I have to get a visa on arrival.
GN: I get a lovely immigration lady who gives me 3 months without too much of an interrogation. I’m through very quickly.
BN: I have to wait ages for my bags. In fact mine is the last one put on the belt.
GN: My driver is waiting outside with a bright smile and we promptly head to the hotel.
BN: On arrival I’m told there is not water in my room.
GN: They offer me an upgrade.
BN: The upgrade room is next to the road and therefore very noisy, so I decide to stick to my budget room at the back. Unfortunately there is a water leak and the sound of water gushing is rather loud and just outside my window.
GN: I imagine it’s a waterfall and finally drift off to sleep.
Excellent!