Eswatini Air: A Last-Minute Adventure

This week, I booked a last-minute flight on an airline I'd never heard of before, heading to a country I didn't even know existed—the tiny African Kingdom of Eswatini. Join me as I recount my journey from Johannesburg to this hidden gem.

Setting Off from Johannesburg

Good morning from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg! I was supposed to be enjoying a day off, relaxing and doing nothing. However, upon landing yesterday, I spotted an airline that piqued my interest, and I couldn't resist the urge to book a flight. So here I am, ready to explore Eswatini!

Checking In with Eswatini Air

Today, I'm flying with Eswatini Air, the national airline of Eswatini. They operate small Embraer aircraft, so I was curious to see what this flight would be like.

Eswatini is a tiny country sandwiched between South Africa and Mozambique, formerly known as the Kingdom of Swaziland. I checked in without any issues and was given my boarding pass for Gate 8:21. The check-in staff was friendly and efficient.

Security and Lounge Time

Security was straightforward, and soon I found myself with an hour to kill before the flight. I decided to head to the Aspire Lounge using my Priority Pass, since it’s an economy class flight, and there’s no business class on Eswatini Air.

Boarding the Flight

After enjoying a quiet moment in the lounge, it was time to head to the gate. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a card stating it was Customer Service Week at Eswatini Air, meaning they were focusing on customer experience. I couldn't wait to see what that entailed!

Onboard Experience

My flight today is on an Embraer 145, which is 25 years old but in decent condition. The seating configuration is 1-2, and I initially sat at the back but was later moved to an emergency exit row with more legroom—score!

Flight to Eswatini

The flight time was approximately 41 minutes, cruising at 33,000 feet. Despite its short duration, we were served a snack—Doritos and a Coke. The flight was smooth, and I enjoyed the view as we descended into Manzini, the largest city in Eswatini.

Welcome to Eswatini

Upon landing at King Mswati III International Airport, I was impressed by how modern and spacious the airport is, especially considering it's only a few years old. This was a major upgrade from the previous airport that was closed.

Exploring the Airport

This airport is quite significant for such a small country. It has a runway that can accommodate a 747, although I can't imagine how crowded it would be with such a large aircraft. Most flights operate to Johannesburg, with a few to Durban and Cape Town.

Quick Visit

I was only in Eswatini for about three hours before heading back to Johannesburg. It was a quick trip, but I was excited to visit this new country and check off another destination from my list.

Returning Flight

On my return flight, I boarded the same Embraer 145 with a few other passengers. The crew was friendly, and the service remained excellent. This time, we had a snack service of mini cheddars and dried fruit.

Final Thoughts

As we descended into Johannesburg, I reflected on my brief but enjoyable visit to Eswatini. The flight cost me $169, which I thought was fair for such a spontaneous adventure. Eswatini Air proved to be a delightful airline, and I look forward to exploring more of this beautiful country in the future.

Thanks for joining me on this quick trip. Until next time, take care and be kind to one another!