South African

Founded in 1934, South African Airways, more commonly known as SAA, is the flag carrier airline of South Africa. It is Africa’s second-largest airline after Ethiopian Airlines. From the first flight, SAA has welcomed the world to South Africa by showing off the warm generous heart of the country. The airline is headquartered in Airways Park at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and operated a hub-and-spoke network, flying to over 35 destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Australia and North, South America and Oceania. The carrier joined Star Alliance in April 2006, making it the first African carrier to sign with one of the three major airline alliances.

Becoming the best airline in Africa does not happen overnight. South African Airways has more than 80 years of excellence and innovation to draw on. Here are just some of the innovations that have set SAA apart over the eight decades that SAA has been bringing Africa to the world.

As of January 2022, South African Airways operated a fleet of 14 aircraft: it has 4 Airbus A340-300, 4 Airbus A340-600, 1 Airbus A330-300, 2 Airbus A320-200, 3 Airbus A319-100.

SAA offers two booking classes: Economy Class and Business Class.
 

Whether you are jetting off for a business meeting or taking a well-deserved holiday with your family, South African Airways has you covered.

As a premium airline, SAA takes pride in looking after your every need. From offering you a delicious meal paired with some of the finest wines to personalised, warm service, SAA strives to make you arrive feeling relaxed and refreshed.

Sit back, settle in and watch extensive inflight entertainment of the latest blockbuster movies, listen to the latest music hits or even catch up on some work.

Economy Class seats offer extra space and generous legroom for your travelling comfort. To make your flight more enjoyable, Economy Class customers are offered a handy amenity kit with socks, eyeshades and a toothbrush and toothpaste.

SAA believes that travelling should be a pleasure for the whole family, so parents are welcome to pre-order meals for children and babies and pre-book a baby bassinet if necessary. Depending on the length of your flight, SAA will serve you a light snack or a delicious multi-course meal made using very best local products. All snacks, meals and beverages are complimentary and are included in your ticket price. The airline also offers a fun activity pack for kids and inflight entertainment system has channels specially designed to keep little travellers amused for hours. If you are travelling with a wheelchair or small children, you’re welcome to use the larger lavatory in the middle of Economy Class, thoughtfully designed at double the size of ordinary lavatories and fitted with a large baby-changing table.

A330-300 Economy Class is fitted with 203 newly designed, slim-line seats, all with extra personal space and generous legroom for travelling comfort. Each seat is fitted with a 10-inch screen, individual USB charging ports, and access to shared PC power points. These high-tech touchscreens are fun and easy to use, giving you access to many hours of entertainment.

Business Class: From the moment you board, the thoughtfully designed Business Class experience will make your journey as comfortable as possible. An easily adjustable headrest with adaptable ears, ample storage space, generous legroom with leg rests and a handy coat hook welcome you as you settle in. SAA pulls out all the stops to treat Business Class customers to an unforgettable journey. You’ll be welcomed onboard with a refreshing drink and given an amenity bag stocked with travel necessities and indulgent cosmetics.

An exquisite à la carte menu, proudly South African cheese board and skillfully selected wine list will give you a high-class dining experience. On a long-haul flight, SAA aims to make the meals a highlight of the journey. That’s why three of South Africa’s most sought-after chefs, Chef Siba Mtongana, Chef Coco and Chef Song, have come onboard to create signature dishes that could be served with pride in any top restaurant.

From starters to desserts, each dish has been carefully designed for its taste, texture and travelling star qualities. SAA always has a vegetarian option available too. Award-winning South African wines and Méthode Cap Classique bubbly has been specially selected to pair with its chefs’ designer dishes.

Each Business Class seat also has its own USB and laptop charging point, so your devices are always powered and ready to use.

For Business Class customers travelling on the new A330-300, SAA offers a new design of flat-bed that's almost 2 metres long when fully extended. With an updated cabin layout, each of these seats has increased privacy, individual aisle access and offers even more personal stowage. Enjoy the added comfort and increased privacy provided by our innovative, luxurious new cabin.

SAA has been awarded the 4-Star Airline certification by Skytrax for the quality of its airport and onboard product and staff service. Product rating includes seats, amenities, food & beverages, IFE, cleanliness etc, and service rating is for both cabin staff and ground staff.