South African Airways (SAA)

South African Airways is South Africa’s National flag carrier and largest domestic and international airline company. It is a member of the Star Alliance airline alliance with hubs in Cape Town and Johannesburg. It’s headquartered in Johannesburg, and its hubs are the city’s O.R. Tambo International Airport and Cape Town International Airport.

South African Airways

SAA’s creation in 1934 came after the South Africa’s government bought up the Union Airways renaming it South African Airways on 1 February. The Airways’ first flights were all within South Africa; however later in the 1930s it entered the international market with flights to Uganda and Kenya at British East Africa. This slow growth continued during the 1940s, though the airline was effectively closed for the duration of World War II. In 1944 SAA began operating the Lockheed Lodestar to restart domestic services and by 1948 SAA was operating in nineteen countries. In 1945 the airline began flying to Europe and now it flies to 50 destinations in Asia, Europe, North and South America, Australia and throughout Africa.
The Airways operates more than 1000 flights a week around the world and has won many awards for its outstanding service. It also boasts as Africa’s leading airline and one of the world’s oldest airlines, operating a fleet of more than 50 modern aircraft including the A320, A340, B737 and B747. It currently carries over 7 million passengers per year and flies to 26 countries on 6 continents.

The South African Airlines has code sharing agreements with several airlines, including Lufthansa, Nigeria Airways and United Airlines. The previous code sharing agreement with Delta Air Lines was terminated in 2006 because the two airlines were involved in competing airline alliances. South African Airways is also an airline partner with Skywards, which is the frequent flyer program for Emirates and Sri Lankan Airlines
The Airways offers First, Business and Economy classes on its international flights. First class passengers on flights originating from the UK and Ireland may take advantage of a chauffeur service to take them to the airport. Lounge access is also available for First and Business passengers. All classes offer in-flight entertainment and meals.
Official Website; www.flysaa.com
PopularSouth African Airways Domestic Flights
• South African Airways Flights to Durban
• South African Airways Flights to Cape Town
• South African Airways Flights to Port Elizabeth
• South African Airways Flights to East London
• South African Airways Flights to Johannesburg
• South African Airways Flights to Bloemfontein
• South African Airways Flights to Kimberley
• South African Airways Flights to Nelspruit
South African Airways International flights
Most international flights originate in Johannesburg – the international flights departing from Cape Town are only to London and Frankfurt. The Airlines has flights to most cities around the world. It’s expanding its route network and will soon begin service to Buenos Aires, Munich, Libreville and Kilimanjaro. In 2007, South African Airways underwent a major restructuring that also included entirely re-evaluating is route network.