Overview :
South African Airways (SAA) is South Africa's leading carrier, and largest domestic and international airline company. South African Airways, rated by performance, revenues, safety and other criteria, is the best and most profitable airline in Africa, and one of the top airlines in the world. SAA is a full service carrier, so do not expect the cheap flight prices one would get with the low cost carriers.
South African Airways serves more than 700 destinations throughout the world. Carries more than 6.5 million passengers each year and serves 34 cities in 26 countries on six continents.
20% of their domestic travellers fly more than one trip per month on average. They fly more than 20 domestic routes, with 20 flights a day between Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The airline also modernised its in-flight service and entertainment by employing air hostesses for domestic flights and adding a cinema on direct flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town. International flights started in the 1960’s and expanded over the next decade. The 90’s brought positive change with greetings in English, Zulu, Sotho and Afrikaans introduced on domestic flights and on international flights, passengers were greeted in the relevant language of their destination.
SAA Employs close to 12 000 people worldwide, including 3 600 at SAA Technical. Staff include about 2 800 flight attendants and more than 800 pilots. To develop high calibre female managers to feed SAA’s executive leadership, the airline run a programme called ‘Women in Aviation’. 77% of our leadership is black with a 56:44 male to female ratio. At senior management level, 44% are black with 41% of middle management and 55% non-management staff are black.
Star Alliance
South African Airways joined Star Alliance, the world’s largest global airline network, on 10 April 2006. SAA’s membership to the Star Alliance is unique in that it is the only airline based in Africa part of the network. SAA offers the world over 20 destinations into Africa and through this, strives to bring the world to Africa and take Africa to the world.
History :
South African Airways was founded in 1 February 1934 after the acquisition of Union Airways by the South African government. The carrier has since joined airline alliance Star Alliance, and replaced its fleet with newer aircraft. In 2006, SAA split from Transnet, its parent company, to operate as an independent airline.
South African Airways embarked on an extensive fleet renewal programme and appointed Airbus as its supplier. The airline placed a staggering order for 41 new aircraft with a price tag of US$3.5 billion - Africa’s biggest jetliner acquisition.
For a simpler, smarter and faster way to check in, SAA launched an online check-in system and a self check-in kiosk.
SAA signed a US$200 million deal with Rolls Royce to supply the airline’s nine A340-600s with Rolls Royce Trent 500 engines.
After an absence of more than 40 years, South Africa was reinstated as a member of the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Thereafter, SAA became a member of the global Star Alliance in April 2006, and with it came seamless worldwide air travel. In addition, they unveiled two Star Alliance branded aircraft – a 737-800 and Airbus A340-600 – as part of the global network’s requirements.
On 29 November 2007, SAA became the proud official carrier of the South African rugby team, the Springboks, as part of a sponsorship agreement between the airline and South African Rugby.
SAA is ranked as a 4-star airline by the independent research consultancy firm Skytrax.It is the official airline of the Association of Tennis Professionals. SAA owns Mango, a domestic airline, and has established links with Airlink and South African Express.
More on SAA :
South African Airways airline fleet
South African Airways carry-on luggage
South African Airways Flight Information
South African Airways seating options
Domestic Airlines :
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