Velvet Sky Airlines Failing Already
So I am sure you have all heard of the new South African Air line company called Velvet Sky? Wait, what? How have you not heard of them? Oh, you’re a socially-inept hermit who doesn’t expose themselves to social surroundings or any form of media either. Shame.
For those of you who HAVE heard of them, well they are doing a horrible job already.
“Already?”, you might say with a confused look on your cute face. Yes my darlings, already. You see, I somehow clicked on some spammy twitter link this morning to be taken to the Velvet Sky website. Boom! I was greeted with a lovely count down timer showing 12 noon today! I was sky high with excitement! (See what I did there? …..Jeez, that one was lame. I apologize.)
Look at that! Fantasmalistically exciting! I held my breath for that second! Only be to greeted with such epic proportions of FAIL!
Seriously! That is all that changed! I was expecting lights, camera’s, flashes, red carpets and all sorts of wonderfully majestic goodies!
What was I greeted with instead. A gigantic pile of bland.
#DISAPPOINTED!
What is up with that logo? Did someone spill some paint onto the webpage? Sis man. I have a feeling that another SAA similar shenanigans is on its way. Durban people. Pffft.
UPDATE 2:30pm:
So I checked 20 minutes after 12 and it was still producing the fail as above. I checked back just after two now and the new site is finally up. It is horribly slow though and doesnt seem to be too helpful. That is just my first impression. I guess only time will tell. It doesn’t seem to be populated with any flight details either which kind of defeats the point of an airline don’t you think?
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Comments
@jbigmac how can you say Velvet Sky is failing? site is working fine here…
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@tonyseifart Ill update the post now. It did eventually go live ;)
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Hey Cpt Awesome.
I agree with the logo, it looks like Ben Franklin spilt some ink.
The site is working perfectly fine for me though … already sorting some bookings out for later in the year.
@tonyseifart I am still not impressed. Seriously hope they improve things and blazingly quickly!
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@jbigmac What is it with people expecting things to be 1000% ready? Their site is probably heavily swamped with traffic … :-/
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@jbigmac we need to competition in the air …
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@tonyseifart If you are going to create that much hype around something, your product must be ready! Simple!
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@jbigmac stop being such a chop … I think they’ve done a great job imho
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@tonyseifart I enjoy being a chop. Makes my life more amusing, and hopefully keeps companies on their toes ;)
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Ouch. I haven’t actually played with the booking system, but I will do so soon! Quite a large part of the page doesn’t seem to load for me. Not a great impression!
@jbigmac Working a treat now – ZAR410 – I’m buying
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God forbid anybody of you launch a new project and have it running 100% on the first day. If you were all so perfect, this country would be in a better state.
Good Luck to Velvet Sky! I am positive and really excited about this new venture!
Well I think if you launch a product you should make sure that actual product you are launching works! In this case, the booking system didn’t work (apparently) as well as half the site didn’t load for me!
very bad sirvice recieved from the managager on 0828074622 she practicly put the phone down in my face after telling me to call back in 2 hours as she had a call coming threw i tried all the site numbers and her cell phone it sucks raelly bad service
why would you launch something with numbers that dont work will someone please explain this to me ?all that 031 number dont work
To the author of this article –
You are a lightweight little idiot.
Don’t expect incredible service from day one. They are probably focussed on filling one plane at a time. You can be sure that they are aware of all issues. You are not special or unique in this, day 2 of the life of Velvet Sky.
I don’t think VS have created all that much hype about being a new player. I was in the airport this weekend and I didn’t see a spot of marketing. I also don’t see billboards anywhere. They are providing a service, which is currently limited to 4 flights a day. a return flight to cape / town durban, and I don’t see them claiming to be massive competition from day one.
Must say, the logo is interesting. It reminds me of the Sasol logo a bit for some reason. I dunno, I think its a logo we are going to come to identify with in time. And its a symbol not words, which will be no mean feat. Colours are luxurious.
Seriously 19 year old kid, find something better to blog about than taking a new company that haven’t made massive claims, and made an honest and solid entry into a gap in the market. Go and listen to Rebecca Black on Youtube.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering.
There is a crack in everything,
That’s how the light gets in.
~Leonard Cohen
Congrats to Velvet Sky & all da best….to those that have issues with the airline, board a different plane :p
Mmmmkay Mackers. Lightweight little idiot? Hmmm so I am an idiot for expecting quality service? A gap in the market? I thought SAA had taken the spot of “horrible service” already? Actually now that you mention it, Rebecca black would go down perfectly now since it is Friday and all! Thanks Mackers!
All you “american styled” complainers give the guys a chance to settle down. Gauteng municipality could not have their computers upgraded althought they are umteen years in existence. People were charged in the region of 5 figure digits for their electricity. Wake up you dark minded people.
These guys are brand new in the flying field . They will get there. Their aim is to offer cheap flights but don’t be too much in a hurry to cash in . Give them at least 30 days to settle. You will definitely be flying high with them.
I tried booking a flight on one of SAA’s domestic airlines and had a nightmare although I did it 16 days before my scheduled date of departure. Things do go wrong. Accept that and move on. Don’t be a crybaby. No-one is perfect. Everyone tries but gets there eventually.
Shan, I can understand what you are saying, but from my point of view, surely you don’t build up hype to a launch if things aren’t ready? I agree that it takes some time to get things going, but that should have been done behind the scenes before the launch date. Simple things like you make sure the website is ready and that you can book flights!? I am not just focusing on them as an airline, this is just one isolated incident that I came across and as someone with a strong business focus, I was annoyed that they were not more prepared at launch. I look forward to seeing how they grow though.
Terrible service, we were told that the 18:15 flight
from ORT to DBN will be delayed for an hour which
turned out to be 5 hours after which time we
can to board another airline.
Be honest about “TECHNICAL PROBLEMS” so alternate
arrangements can be made if necessary, definitely
will not go near Velvet Airlines again.
lve us charou’s alone velvet sky u are excellent – every1 falls n gets up sooo whats da big issue..go my charou bro sho them frm up ther…
Velvet Sky epic fail. Flew from Cpt to Jhb on Saturday. Total chaos. Eventually got there two hours late on an ancient plane and judging by the comments on hello peter, my flight was one of the better ones. Never again.
@PaulDurbs – Well were you kept informed throughout the delay? Delays can happen that are out of their control, but if they were not honest with you then that is not acceptable. Customer service will ensure that mistakes can be corrected and managed without losing customers, which clearly they have done with you.
@James P – Total Chaos? Care to elaborate for us?
We were initially told there would be a 30minute delay
but after 5 hours we were told the plane was not going
anywhere and we were going to be put on another aircraft,
nobody committed to a time or made us aware of the “Technical problem” Had I been told of the duration of the delay I would have made alternate arrangements.
I agree with Chantelle. We all make mistakes at 1st and get use too it when time goes on. I feel that you are complaining because this airline is a BEE project. So are looking 4 mistakes.
I am looking for mistakes because it is a BEE project? Umm…where did you see me mention anything about BEE? Saying you disagree with me is great and applaud that you can stand up for your view points, but calling me a racist. HAIYBO! Now that is just not cool! Take your white tendancies away from this revolutionary house!
I agree with you James. Nowhere did you say anything about it being BEE, or blame it on BEE.
I take the side of thinking that if you are going to have a countdown to the opening of an airline and site, than you should only do so once you know its going to work. Saying “we all make mistakes” is like going to a show at the Artscape, which has been advertised for weeks on end, only to find that the lead roles don’t know all of their lines, or the dancers don’t know the moves, and then saying “its ok, we all make mistakes.” If you are going to perform at the Artscape, then you make damn sure you will put on a good show, likewise if you are going to launch a new airline with a website and online booking system, you make damn sure its going to work by the time its opened. Its not being an idiot, or having too high expectations, it’s called being professional, something too many people don’t know enough about.
But, too each his own opinion. I do hope that Velvet Sky will make it as an airline and I wish them all the best, its just unfortunate that they started on the wrong foot.
I cannot get in touch with any representative from Velvet Sky. How unprofessional, provide contact details but not a single soul attempts to pick’up. I need to change my flight, I cannot. OR Tambo’s help desk say say’s, we have been instructed by Velvet Sky not to give the landline number for their OR Tambo office.
Sies! That is lank unprofessional! I know they are still new but what a mess up this launch has been! Seriously, quite a joke actually! I have emailed them asking to comment on all of the comments, but so far nothing! Quite disappointed actually. :/
Well, after three flights with Velvet Sky I feel qualified to say DO NOT waste your time flying with them.
All three flights have been delayed by a minimum of 2hrs. Screw teething problems. If you are going to offer a service, make sure it is up to scratch. Yes, teething problems are acceptable when trying out new ventures, but sorry mates, flight and all its teething problems are old hat and should be accounted for.
The airline and its excuse for an “on flight snack” should be avoided at the slightly extra cost of the competent airlines.
Da so called Capatain Awesom dont you have anything better to do than complain abut Velvet Sky All Da time get a life bro““`
Maria, you could not think of a better fake name to try and slate me with than Medical? Really? MEDICAL? Come on! If you are going to try and take me down, at least try and put some effort in. You didn’t even use a different email address and both comments are from the same IP. So I think you are the “Dufosum” here…
There are 5 other’s that are using this email address….Mr Dofusam..anyway now i can with 100% certainty say that u are bored…
Bit early to judge I think. But anyway, the website was working when I checked it. It does flash the screen that you showed momentarily, but then goes onto the site where you can make a booking.
i think the prices are the same as the other airlines, and it was supposed to be better rates, when was it cheap, the first day?
word of advise, get Selby he used to work for SAA at Ort Airport I believe he’s with NeoAfrica now. Great exceptional with vast Airline experience dont know how SAA let him go very talented individual then your customer/operational problems will be thing of the past. Not to say am promoting the guy he’s just one of the finest in this business and it just doenst make any sense if Airlines cannot hold on to the talent they have developed
I need some Clarification here, I have been calling the call center on Several Occasions , Unable to Get through, Currently I see they are Having some Awesome Specials,
I really want to Book, But I’m so Skeptical…. What if they let me down …
So I decided to call the office which is based in Durban, the Consultant said “ Mam if we have any problems Regarding your Flight we will let you know in Advance” But I did Not need to hear that….
She did not seem Confidant at all, in trying to Pacify me…
Is there anyone that can assist, in advising me if it is safe to go ahead with the Booking…
Thank you….
Miss T, I can only speak from my own experiences. I’ve flown with Velvet Sky twice on the CPT-JNB route. On one occasion there was a 30m check-in delay, and on the other occassion everything went smoothly.
@Miss T & @SATO Thanks for your comments guys. As I haven’t actually flown on the airline I don’t think I should be making comments on whether it is ACTUALLY a good airline to fly on, so when users who have actual experience in dealing with them leave a comment it is a great help. Much appreciated. I am going to write a follow up post soon and hopefully get some word from Velvet Sky themselves.
Captain Awesome, at least Velvet Sky owned their url. The Santaco Express airline, which aims to launch in September, hasn’t even registered http://www.santacoexpress.co.za !
Looks like someone beat them to it! This is what makes cyber squatting so interesting for me! Look out for a post in the future tackling this subject!
I booked on the flight and had 2 leave at 6, it hard to board bcse of technical error. We were brought bck and thre was absolutely nobody to assist us.no one on the floor untll 8h20. Had to make other arrangments for 10. Ten o’clock came and I couldn’t leave either, my luggage that they said would take 10-15mins almost took another 1h plus to reach us. Finally I had 2 leave at 14h30. I wouldn’t advice anyone 2 book with them, neither do they want to refund our money…. THEY ARE SO GOING DOwN….
I booked on the flight and had 2 leave at 6, it hard to board bcse of technical error. We were brought bck and thre was absolutely nobody to assist us.no one on the floor untll 8h20. Had to make other arrangements for 10. Ten o’clock came and I couldn’t leave either, my luggage that they said would take 10-15mins almost took another 1h plus to reach us. Finally I had 2 leave at 14h30. I wouldn’t advice anyone 2 book with them, neither do they want to refund our money…. THEY ARE SO GOING DOwN….
I booked with them yesterday and I personally found their website easy to navigate *excuse the pun* and their call centre extremely helpful. For my husband, baby and I I paid R652 :O That is ridiculously cheap! Other airlines wanted double the price!!! My son’s fare was only R18!!! I hope I have only good things to say after our flight to Durban next week Friday :D
Thanks for leaving your comments. Please do let us know how you found the experience once you have actually flew with them.
@heidie – That sounds like horrible service! For all the good flights and terrific service that they might provide, it is trips like these ones that will tarnish their image and leave them on the ground. Permanently.
Please let me know how your flight was Michelle Correia, as i also booked for December, a little sceptic, but their rates are great, and so far have not had any complaints, their e-mail responses were fast and friendly, so hoping and praying that the flight will not be a disaster. Please let me know.
Dear Belina
Hi, I just wanted to reassure you, if you had any reservations(‘scuse the pun :-))regarding Velvet Sky Airlines.
My fiance flies for Velvet(he’s a pilot)and it is a first-rate operation. Two new aircraft for Velvet Sky Airlines have arrived in the country, so I doubt that if it isn’t destined for great things, this wouldn’t be the case. Bookings have already been made for the other aircraft, so how bad can it be???
My fiance has worked for many other airlines and has extremely high standards, because pilots’ are so very responsible for all the passengers, their families, friends, crews’ etc lives and Management will only employ the most highly qualified crew – ground crew and air crew. The airplane/s are seviced by an outstanding company, the engineers are the best and no short-cuts have/would EVER be taken. All the above factors prevent aircraft accidents, so feel safe in competent hands!
I think your comment doesn’t quite count if your hubby is a pilot. :P Kind of defeats the point of getting honest and unbiased reviews! I want real interaction from customers with real experiences.
Hi Sheralee Rissik,
Thank you so much, i really appreciate.
I didn’t think that they would be allowed to fly if they were not able to do so.
It’s just a new thing and with all new things people tend to get nervous, you know.
I booked and paid already, so just hoping for the best, that all.
Thanks again.
As far as I know the airline is still running. I think I need to do a follow up post on this bad boy.
Worst airline around. My son was returning from cape town after a lovely honeymoon. Arrived at the airport to catch ther 2.30 flight to jhb. Ater endless delays they finally boarded a different plane at 10pm and arrived home after 12pm. Thanks for spoiling the honeymoon. Never again wth velvetsky
I’m flying on friday to cape town … Its my first time and scared to death , hope everything will go smoothly with velvetsky !
Let us know what your experience is like. You know, the vital things, like did they leave on time, what was the service like and most importantly, are the air hostesses hot? Hope things go swimmingly ;)
went to airport on 27/02/ question flights for 28/02 ubrupt supervisor no manners for customers feeling lady behind desk everything fine tv news velvetsky grounded phone ring no answer max1 call operate 7am to 7pm in time like everyone should sorting querys flyers need answers
i have not received any phonecalls or email as yet what is going to be done. i went from westville on 27/02 to the airport get answers lady at desk says only rumor 6pm news same story staff dot give correct answers
The flight to cape town was on scedule … My return back to jhb was delade , the so called snack was k@k … I won’t fly with them again
[New Post] Velvet Sky Airlines Failing Already – http://www.cptawesome.co.za/2011/03/18/v…
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