Don't panic if your Kulula pilot announces that your flight has just landed in Harare - they love joking. Kulula Airlines (MN) is one of 2 low cost carriers operating in South Africa (Mango is the other), and is known for its humorous in-flight commentary and advertisements. The Kulula brand is owned by Comair (who also operate British Airways flights in South Africa), a company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, and its steadily-increasing offering includes travel, credit cards and cellphone connections.

Latest flight review

(Opinions expressed here are not necessarily shared by South Africa Travel Online)

• 2013-06-12 Rating 3/5 : My experience with Kulula not too long ago was very unexpected. The reason I say this is because Kulula is a low cost airline and passengers flying with this airline should know not to have too high expectations when flying with them. I flew from Cape Town International airport to Lanseria airport in Gauteng and as per my previous statement, did not have any expectations flying economy class. The check-in process at Cape Town International airport was very quick and efficient. However, what bothers me is that security looked too laidback and as I am a tourism student and learn about how important security officials are at airports I was a bit concerned. It felt that the security levels should be tightened and not as casual as what I experienced. I suppose that is something CSA should look at. I boarded the aircraft and was greeted warmly by the flight attendants which made me feel somewhat comfortable and happy to be there. A very relaxed atmosphere I must say. It was a smooth flight and I enjoyed the whole duration of the flight. Would've probably been more relaxed if the seats could recline further, but then again….. economy class……. low cost airline. Lower your expectations a bit and you will have a smile on your face the whole time. We landed safely at Lanseria airport, and although the equipment to help passengers disembark took forever to get to the plane I can honestly say that the experience was acceptable. AND I had no baggage lost ;-) I personally enjoyed my experience with this airline and would most definitely make use of them again and would advise others to make use of Kulula airlines. Quick, efficient and cost effective. I would rate my experience a 3, the reason for my rating is that I knew what kind of service was expected from the airline and I wanted to get from point A to B as quick as possible, and that is exactly what Kulula provided. Jeandre
  

Kulula reviews

• 2013-06-09 Rating 3/5 : This was going to be my partner's first flight...She must have gone to the ladies room a couple of times in the waiting period...I pulled her close and whispered that I would be holding her hand throughout...The engines were now fully fired and we were going at very high speed. The hand I was holding was now clammy and I could feel a tremor going through her arm....We unlocked out seat belts and relaxed. The hold on my hand relaxed and the smile came back. Xolile Neville Mgabadeli
  

• 2013-05-13: Packed Kulula CPT-JNB flight was delayed for an hour as a result of a thunderstorm, but she still made it in time for her onward flight from Johannesburg to Athens.

  Written by: Natasha

  Rating = 3/ 5

• 2013-05-12: Flew with Kulula from Cape Town to Durban on holiday, and "were amazed at the courtesy and service levels we experienced with the provision of a wheelchair".

  Written by: Pat & John

  Rating = 5 / 5

• 2013-5-03: A Kulula flight to an MSC Cruise: In an act of generosity at Lanseria Airport, a lady who was robbed has somebody assist her and then in Durban take her to get a temporary passport, allowing her to go on her cruise.

  Rating 5/ 5

• 2013-4-26: " I chose Kulula from Lanseria because it's closer to where I stay in Kyalami, and Kulula because it was the cheapest. Check-in was quick and easy, we left on time, the flight was packed, not one spare seat, and a bit noisy because there were a lot of kids on board (perhaps because it was a potential long weekend, if you put in leave for the Monday and Tuesday). Cabin crew were great ." Heidi

  Rating 4 / 5

• 2013-05-25: It was pitch black & pouring with rain in Johannesburg as I arrived at Lanseria International Airport for my Kulula flight to Cape Town. Lanseria looked more like a building site than an airport, as they are building another runway and busy with a lot of expansion plans. I'd accidentally booked from O.R. Tambo (with Kulula) to Cape Town, but thought I'd booked from Lanseria Airport. On arriving at Lanseria Airport there was no queue at Kulula's check-in, and as I spoke to one of Kulula's check-in gents, he mentioned that I was actually meant to be flying from O.R. Tambo, and he motioned me to their sales desk, where I met up with a very efficient guy (unfortunately I didn't catch his name) and after explaining the situation he said "no problem", and punched the buttons he needed to punch and said "ah, I'm going to waive any charges", and booked me onto the 06h00 MN451 HLA-CPT flight. I'd like to extend my gratitude to the Kulula staff on duty. Cabin staff were polite and efficient. I'm so glad that I'm booked to fly Kulula back up to Johannesburg again. Chris Everett. "PS I was disappointed that a large number of passengers didn't bother to place their seatbelts neatly on the seats after landing in Cape Town; after being urged to do so by the Chief Stewardess, who asked so nicely, as Kulula needed a quick turnaround in Cape Town - after we disembarked we immediately heard over the loudspeakers a call for the next set of passengers to embark for their flight to Lanseria. "

  Rating 5 / 5

• Good to see credit being given where it's due - well done Stuart Goodall from Kulula for getting the job done.

  And thanks to Benita Levin for recognising good service.

• 2013-04-20: Kamanth suggests that Kulula should "keep the first 2 rows of the plane for wheelchair passengers & put disabled passengers in the seat next to the window so that minimum disruption is made on the flights". In other news from the April edition of Khuluma, Erik Venter reassures us that there's no horse meat in the sandwiches served on Kulula flights (they can vouch for this, as they run their own catering unit these days)!

• 2013-01-5: We asked Jeannie what her favourite airline is - and she likes the colour green...but also likes the cheap Kulula airfares." It wears a dress of dark green, it glides smoothly through the air, it treats you like a Lady. It is flexible and considerate and it never drops you."

  Rating 5 / 5

• 2013-01-03: Laughter is still the best medicine. Michele chooses Kulula as her favourite airline - because they're funny. "I'll always remember one of my first flights with Kulula – the female flight attendant adopted an 'Afrikaanse koekie' accent throughout the hilarious landing commentary; the passengers were in stitches and thus in a great mood upon arrival."

  Rating 5 / 5

• 2012-07-22: A day of 2 iconic planes - we flew in Kulula's Camoplane from Lanseria Airport, and also spotted their flying 101 aircraft.

  Rating 5 /5

• 2012-02-06 :As usual we paid nothing for our Kulula Johannesburg flight :) Free flights for 4

  Rating 5 / 5

• 2011-11-27: I paid NOTHING for this Kulula Cape Town to Lanseria Airport flight.

  Rating 5 / 5

Infant's baggage

Infants, may be small but they pack big! Infants are entitled to 1 free checked in baggage weighing up to 20kg, plus a collapsable pushchair and a child car seat for free. No additional bags may be purchased for infants.