Johannesburg Airport

Not Verified | I would like to advise the airport to provide more alleviating music or sounds through the corridors of the intercalated arrivals. I found the space to be very mornay and needs more ambience and this will provide a happier mood and positive atmosphere. Instrumental music. I find this will be an attractive part of how people travelling from international destinations can gain more satisfaction disembarking from a long flight.

✅ Trip Verified | Was really impressed by Johannesburg Airport, had previously read reviews before arriving and was quite nervous but it was absolutely perfect, staff were polite and helpful, so many shops to browse around. The only thing is you have to buy the plastic bag for your liquids in the bookstore for R2 beside security. Had no issues whatsoever with the airport.

✅ Trip Verified | Travelling across so many countries, I came across the worst airport experience. Catching a flight of 1.55am was not at all easy experience at Tambo. Freezing cold! It was absolutely like waiting for a bus in the open air in the middle of the night. We use an airport to reach our destination in safe hands. It was a shame to have all those 200 passengers with babies left out in the cold. I request to do the needful for people using your airport.

Not Verified | Went through OR Tambo airport three times in the course of a month. Contrary to what I have read here I really had no issues. Arrival initially into the country, immigration took maybe a half hour. Gentleman at gate asked why I was traveling, stamped and I was off. He smiled and was friendly. Customs, literally walked down a hall and a guy was leaning on a wall and I was done. Departed to fly to another African country three days later. Check in went fine, lady at Airlink was very friendly. Security and Immigration was fine, all together maybe 30 minutes total and nobody was unfriendly. Three weeks later departing to go back to the States. Same, no issues. At a pizza place while waiting, lady who waited on me was super friendly. Everybody in the shops, same. Boarding a large Boeing 777 for Atlanta, they had a system and it worked. No issues.

✅ Trip Verified | Because I said I use this travel zip lock bag around the world - in relation to carrying liquids in a clear sealed bag, the security check staff at the gate said he wanted me to go buy another type of zip lock bag and come back. Literally he said “because you say you travel round the world, I’ll make you buy the right bag”. He took my items out of my bag and threw them on the floor. I then had to go to every shop to find someone who would sell me a zip lock bag - which ended up they sell big ones? I didn’t think this would be accepted as they gave to be less than 1 L. I was then ordered to join the back of the queue again. He then threw my items into the bag and said for me to go. The security employees were sneezing into their gloved hands then touching our items and bags. They were rude and treat passengers like they are poorly, shouting down orders without any notice. There was no order to embarking the aeroplane. The staff in the airport were grumpy, no pleasantries, most were watching YouTube on their computer or tv and didn’t want to serve you. Really will be avoiding Johannesburg in the future and likely South African airlines. Sad end to a good trip. Terrible airport with unprofessional, rude staff.

Not Verified | Scammed at check in kiosk machine inside terminal! Uniformed fellow said to use this machine yours is broken please. Use your credit card to check in. Machine grabbed card, guy disappeared! So canceled card right away on phone, summoned police officer. Unauthorized charges made. Credit card reversed charges later. Be careful!

✅ Trip Verified | This is probably one of the worst airports I've ever had the misfortune of experiencing. Old decor, dirty, dark, with the worst employees. The security employees are rude and treat passengers like they are prisoners, shouting down orders without a please or a thank you. The immigration staff are grumpy and act like they are doing you a favour of letting you in their country even though you might be a tourist bringing in money . Staff working at different locations will not even give you directions when asked. Terrible airport made worse by the unprofessional, rude staff.

❎ Not Verified | Every time I land at Johannesburg international arrivals and stand in the passport control queue, usually for between 45 minutes and an hour, I feel a sense of shame and sadness. Ashamed that we give our citizens such a shocking welcome home, we leave the first world and arrive in the third world every time. How hard is it to employ more staff who want to work and are prepared to smile? I pointed out to a staff member that the queue was so long people were unable to step off the escalator because the queue was up to the escalator. She didn’t even stop to listen to me, just gave me a death stare and walked past to the other passports queue which was surprisingly short for a change. Come on SA, make us excited and proud to come home.

✅ Trip Verified | For the international area, the staff are rude beyond words. A man dressed in Qatar Airways uniform talked to a colleague while checking me in and viewed me with a very contemptuous expression. I expect he is airport staff dressed in the airline's uniform since their customer service is usually so good. I'm sure he wouldn't last five minutes if he was directly employed by the airline or any Qatari company. Customs officials (apart from one) were lazy and unfriendly. Some just sat there without calling anyone over, others failed to greet customers and just talked to their colleagues while scanning and stamping passports. Highly unprofessional. Departures was much worse than arrivals for the bad attitude. One lady was very friendly and helpful in the wine shop in departures. She was the only one. Overall, the international departures section was probably the worst I have ever encountered. In the domestic area, staff were much friendlier and more helpful. Perhaps the airport should move these staff to the international area since its a good idea to welcome foreign visitors who bring so much money into the country and are vital to the economy.

Not Verified | My wife and I were traveling through Johannesburg from Port Elizabeth on our way to Mauritius. We encountered a long delay of 11 hours due to a technical issue with the plane. This airport has to be the worst in the World for Customer Service. There are lots of staff working in every area of the airport (too many probably as they just talk amongst themselves and ignore the travelers!) and without exception the customer service is disgraceful. No manners, eye contact, please or thank you. No smiles and the staff don’t even open their mouths to speak, finding it easier just to point. We were going to come back next year and explore Cape Town but the experience at this airport has been so bad I don’t think we will ever visit South Africa again. Not a great way to encourage visitors and tourism!