OT
O.R Tambo International Airport
Unclaimed Business
OT
O.R Tambo International Airport
Unclaimed Business
12 Reviews (last 12 months)
Does not respond to reviews
AI Review Summary
Based on recent customer reviews, O.R Tambo International Airport receives overwhelmingly negative feedback across multiple areas. Customers frequently cite filthy and poorly maintained toilets, rude and unhelpful staff, and serious concerns about luggage tampering and theft. Security processes are described as inconsistent and painfully slow, with long queues worsened by staff taking breaks. Infrastructure issues such as broken escalators, malfunctioning exit barriers, and blocked arrival roads add further frustration. Handling of unaccompanied minors and general communication from airport personnel are also flagged as deeply inadequate.
Performance(last 12 months):
TrustIndex
0
Ranking
#9
in Travel & Vacation
NPS Score
-100
Recommended: Unlikely
Review Distribution
1.1|12 Reviews
Jun '25 - May '26
5(0%)
4(0%)
3(0%)
2(9.1%)
1(90.9%)
5(0%)
4(0%)
3(0%)
2(9.1%)
1(90.9%)
Frequently Asked Questions About O.R Tambo International Airport
Based on recent customer reviews, O.R Tambo International Airport receives overwhelmingly negative feedback across multiple areas. Customers frequently cite filthy and poorly maintained toilets, rude and unhelpful staff, and serious concerns about luggage tampering and theft. Security processes are described as inconsistent and painfully slow, with long queues worsened by staff taking breaks. Infrastructure issues such as broken escalators, malfunctioning exit barriers, and blocked arrival roads add further frustration. Handling of unaccompanied minors and general communication from airport personnel are also flagged as deeply inadequate.
O.R Tambo International Airport has a TrustIndex of 0 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 12 reviews in the last 12 months. Hellopeter has tracked O.R Tambo International Airport across 17 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →
Recent reviews (12)
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GS
Gerhard S
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
26 Jan 2026, 09:09
Disgusting toilets
I am totally disgusted at the state of both men's toilets in the domestic departures of OR Tambo airport. Both facilities have missing toilet seats. Yet this is supposed to be an international airport
Helpful (0)
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Naki H
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
5 Jan 2026, 08:37
Mistreated Minors Terminal A - Flight ZN305
I am writing to formally raise a complaint regarding the handling of my minor brothers, who were travelling as unaccompanied minors under the care of your airline at the airport, Zambia Airways. The lady was at the counters at Terminal A under COLOSSAL AVIAPARTNER, Flight ZN305 9n Monday 5 January, departing Johannesburg to Lusaka. We arrived at the airport at 08:00, well in advance of the scheduled 10:15 departure, specifically to ensure that all procedures for unaccompanied minors were completed smoothly and without stress. The check-in process was completed early as advised. After check-in, I informed one of the male staff members at the counter that the children needed to eat. I was instructed, in a rude and dismissive manner, that whatever we chose to do, we must ensure we returned before 09:00. In response, I rushed the children to get food and ensured we returned before 09:00, prioritising compliance with staff instructions. Upon returning before 09:00, we were then told that we were “too early” and that the children would only be collected at 09:15. We waited as instructed and returned again at 09:15, only to be told to wait yet again without any clear communication or explanation. Ultimately, the children were only collected at approximately 09:47, less than 30 minutes before departure. Given the size of the airport and the distance between the check-in counters and the boarding gates, this resulted in the children being rushed to the gate while carrying heavy bags. They were not given adequate time to use the bathroom, collect water, or move calmly if they needed to, while under the supervision of a staff member, accompanying them, Qini Mavundla( I was given this name by the man at the airline controller counter), who had already demonstrated a lack of patience, empathy, and professionalism. I would like to emphasise that my concern is not whether the children eventually reached the boarding gate. The issue is the manner in which they were handled, the lack of coordination, the conflicting instructions, and the absence of care and consideration for their physical and emotional wellbeing. When parents or guardians declare children as unaccompanied minors, the expectation is that the airline assumes full responsibility for their care from check-in through to boarding. This includes clear communication, reasonable timing, and staff who are equipped to work with children respectfully and compassionately. The behaviour displayed by Qini Mavundla, as well as the conduct of other staff involved, raises serious concerns about suitability to work with unaccompanied minors under Zambian airways. While staff may not be contractually obliged to carry luggage, they are entrusted with the care of children, which requires patience, professionalism, and a basic standard of human decency. I trust that this matter will be investigated thoroughly and that corrective action will be taken to ensure that no other children are subjected to a similar experience. Need I say that when they were leaving Zambia they did not experience any of this. They were assisted to carry their bags.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)NH
Naki H
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
5 Jan 2026, 08:37
Mistreated Minors Terminal A - Flight ZN305
I am writing to formally raise a complaint regarding the handling of my minor brothers, who were travelling as unaccompanied minors under the care of your airline at the airport, Zambia Airways. The lady was at the counters at Terminal A under COLOSSAL AVIAPARTNER, Flight ZN305 9n Monday 5 January, departing Johannesburg to Lusaka. We arrived at the airport at 08:00, well in advance of the scheduled 10:15 departure, specifically to ensure that all procedures for unaccompanied minors were completed smoothly and without stress. The check-in process was completed early as advised. After check-in, I informed one of the male staff members at the counter that the children needed to eat. I was instructed, in a rude and dismissive manner, that whatever we chose to do, we must ensure we returned before 09:00. In response, I rushed the children to get food and ensured we returned before 09:00, prioritising compliance with staff instructions. Upon returning before 09:00, we were then told that we were “too early” and that the children would only be collected at 09:15. We waited as instructed and returned again at 09:15, only to be told to wait yet again without any clear communication or explanation. Ultimately, the children were only collected at approximately 09:47, less than 30 minutes before departure. Given the size of the airport and the distance between the check-in counters and the boarding gates, this resulted in the children being rushed to the gate while carrying heavy bags. They were not given adequate time to use the bathroom, collect water, or move calmly if they needed to, while under the supervision of a staff member, accompanying them, Qini Mavundla( I was given this name by the man at the airline controller counter), who had already demonstrated a lack of patience, empathy, and professionalism. I would like to emphasise that my concern is not whether the children eventually reached the boarding gate. The issue is the manner in which they were handled, the lack of coordination, the conflicting instructions, and the absence of care and consideration for their physical and emotional wellbeing. When parents or guardians declare children as unaccompanied minors, the expectation is that the airline assumes full responsibility for their care from check-in through to boarding. This includes clear communication, reasonable timing, and staff who are equipped to work with children respectfully and compassionately. The behaviour displayed by Qini Mavundla, as well as the conduct of other staff involved, raises serious concerns about suitability to work with unaccompanied minors under Zambian airways. While staff may not be contractually obliged to carry luggage, they are entrusted with the care of children, which requires patience, professionalism, and a basic standard of human decency. I trust that this matter will be investigated thoroughly and that corrective action will be taken to ensure that no other children are subjected to a similar experience. Need I say that when they were leaving Zambia they did not experience any of this. They were assisted to carry their bags.
0
Replies (0)AH
Andries H
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
29 Nov 2025, 19:06
DON'T GIVE A **** ATTITUDE ORT AIRPORT
The entire road lanes for the arrivals at the airport were all blocked off. Nobody (The Police, the staff at the information desk or the staff manning the parking office) knew why the roads were blocked off or when such would be re-opened? SURELY they must be a reason why closed (There was no workman on any of the stretch of the closed off roads) and SURELY somebody must know when such will be re-opened. It cannot be a state secret why road closed and when such will be re-opened. Just shows what the Airports company thinks of the customers, (WE can do what we like and do not have to explain to anyone the reasons????)
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)AH
Andries H
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
29 Nov 2025, 19:06
DON'T GIVE A **** ATTITUDE ORT AIRPORT
The entire road lanes for the arrivals at the airport were all blocked off. Nobody (The Police, the staff at the information desk or the staff manning the parking office) knew why the roads were blocked off or when such would be re-opened? SURELY they must be a reason why closed (There was no workman on any of the stretch of the closed off roads) and SURELY somebody must know when such will be re-opened. It cannot be a state secret why road closed and when such will be re-opened. Just shows what the Airports company thinks of the customers, (WE can do what we like and do not have to explain to anyone the reasons????)
0
Replies (0)HH
Hlengiwe H
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
27 Nov 2025, 06:28
OR Tambo International Airport
I am so angry with the staff from OR Tambo, these people opened my suitcase and went through my things. My cosmetic bag was left open and my clothes thrown all over the suitcase and I know for fact that my clothes were folded and my cosmetic bag was closed. This is not the first time this has happened, back in September of this year they did the same thing to my suitcase. This is disgusting and inversion of my personal belongings. Can the management of this airport deal with this issue urgently. I don't understand why these people or person who do this think or believe it is okay for them to open our suitcases or bags.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)HH
Hlengiwe H
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
27 Nov 2025, 06:28
OR Tambo International Airport
I am so angry with the staff from OR Tambo, these people opened my suitcase and went through my things. My cosmetic bag was left open and my clothes thrown all over the suitcase and I know for fact that my clothes were folded and my cosmetic bag was closed. This is not the first time this has happened, back in September of this year they did the same thing to my suitcase. This is disgusting and inversion of my personal belongings. Can the management of this airport deal with this issue urgently. I don't understand why these people or person who do this think or believe it is okay for them to open our suitcases or bags.
0
Replies (0)CO
Corrie O
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
14 Nov 2025, 18:29
Forced removal of wrapping
Why cant i protect my own luggage from theft and wrap them at Home,Rather than to pay ridiculously amount at Airport to wrap you baggage,who gives anybody the right to force me to remove my wrapping who will take responsibility if something gets ****** as it happened in the oast already ,but nobody returned my lost baggage and Garmin.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)CO
Corrie O
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
14 Nov 2025, 18:29
Forced removal of wrapping
Why cant i protect my own luggage from theft and wrap them at Home,Rather than to pay ridiculously amount at Airport to wrap you baggage,who gives anybody the right to force me to remove my wrapping who will take responsibility if something gets ****** as it happened in the oast already ,but nobody returned my lost baggage and Garmin.
0
Replies (0)A
Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
20 Oct 2025, 09:59
Rude personnel
We arrived at ORT on 18 October 2025. Only two kiosks of the ten were open but since it was not busy, it was ok. What struck me was the very, very rude unfriendly service my husband and me got form the personnel. It was such a contrast to Zambie's passport control where service was extremely friendly and going out of their way to be helpful. I wished we could go back.
Helpful (0)
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Anonymous
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
20 Oct 2025, 09:59
Rude personnel
We arrived at ORT on 18 October 2025. Only two kiosks of the ten were open but since it was not busy, it was ok. What struck me was the very, very rude unfriendly service my husband and me got form the personnel. It was such a contrast to Zambie's passport control where service was extremely friendly and going out of their way to be helpful. I wished we could go back.
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Replies (0)RK
Rachael K
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
8 Oct 2025, 22:12
Stinking toilets
OR Tambo housekeeping can you please pay attention to the filty toilets. They look clean on the seat but the toilet boil under the seat is reeked with urine. The smell is overpowering one is scared to even sit on it. I developed an itch after using the toilets it can literally cause a person to get a UTI. Does the cleaning staff know how to clean a toilet and does the supervisor even checks if it is done properly or does anyone even care. This is the first contact into South Africa from abroad. Does nobody have any pride. And this has been like this for the past few years I have been travelling on domestic flights it's a shame for such a beautiful airport.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)RK
Rachael K
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
8 Oct 2025, 22:12
Stinking toilets
OR Tambo housekeeping can you please pay attention to the filty toilets. They look clean on the seat but the toilet boil under the seat is reeked with urine. The smell is overpowering one is scared to even sit on it. I developed an itch after using the toilets it can literally cause a person to get a UTI. Does the cleaning staff know how to clean a toilet and does the supervisor even checks if it is done properly or does anyone even care. This is the first contact into South Africa from abroad. Does nobody have any pride. And this has been like this for the past few years I have been travelling on domestic flights it's a shame for such a beautiful airport.
0
Replies (0)