International travellers alarmed by disparity in aircraft quality on African routes

Are airlines using older aircrafts to service routes in Africa?

A growing number of international travellers are expressing concern over the noticeable disparity in the quality of aircraft servicing routes to Africa compared to those serving Europe and the Americas.

Many passengers report finding themselves aboard older, worn-out planes, often with malfunctioning infotainment systems when flying to African destinations - contrasting starkly with the newer and more luxurious aircraft seen on flights to wealthier regions.

On social media, travellers are increasingly vocal about their experiences.

On Reddit, a user identified as @alex1b shared an alarming observation: “I have noticed a pattern when flying with flagship airlines that the aeroplanes going to developing countries are in much worse condition, older, often dirty, and tend to have broken infotainment systems.

"For example, on my BRU-DOH-KUL flight, the BRU-DOH segment was on a shiny new plane, but the DOH-KUL segment was served by an old dump truck.

"Are the airlines doing this because they think developing country passengers will have lower quality standards and will complain less?

"Or is it more to do with distance and scheduling, putting newer aircraft on routes with less time on the ground?”

Another user, @amahle.gebane, echoed these sentiments on TikTok, stating, “Airline racism is so prevalent, and I only started noticing it when I was flying to other African countries because when I fly to South Africa, there’s never an issue. The plane is nice. The terminal we’re in is nice. The staff is also top-notch, right?

"But then, when I started flying out to other African countries, like from Belgium or Paris to Ghana? I have never seen an airport that looked so old. Even the plane that we were put in, I was so scared it was going to fall apart. I was like, Are you sure this plane is going to get to Accra in one piece?”

Social media chatter highlights a recurring theme: the stark contrast between the high standards and amenities afforded to flights to Europe compared to the inferior conditions often experienced on African routes.

Comments from users like @sonnistar support this narrative by stating, “The terminals for the UK/Europe are so nice and easily accessible versus the terminals to Africa being at the very back in the dingy, gross part of the airport, which is just neglected.”

Many passengers have also shared specific stories that reflect this trend.

@simplekhosi remarked on a journey from Oman to Ethiopia, commenting, “The airline was small and the food was bad. But from Ethiopia to South Africa, it was big, comfortable, and the food was good!”

Meanwhile, @waphiwehlazo narrated a stark contrast in her travel experience from NYC to Doha, saying, “The plane I travelled with from NYC to Doha was heaven, but the one from Doha to South Africa? Firstly, we were taken out of the New Airport to the old airport, and my dear? Yes, airline racism is real.”

While there is no specific term for the practice of deploying older aircraft on African routes, it has often been linked to cost-effectiveness strategies.

Airlines may choose to operate ageing aircraft as a means of reducing operational costs, often viewing emerging markets as less likely to demand higher standards of service.

This perception raises critical questions about equality in air travel and the implications of such disparities for international relations.