South African Airways

South African Airways (SAA) is the flag carrier of South Africa, headquartered in Airways Park at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. SAA operates a hub-and-spoke network, serving ten destinations in Africa. The carrier joined Star Alliance in April 2006, making it the first African carrier to sign with one of the three major airline alliances.

In December 2019, SAA entered voluntary business rescue as a result of many years of financial losses, and suspended all operations the following year. In June 2021, the South African government relinquished its controlling stake in the airline. After extensive talks with potential investors, they selected the Takatso Consortium. The Consortium will own 51% of the airline, while the government maintains a 49% stake. The Consortium involves Harith General Partners and Global Airways. Harith General Partners is chaired by South Africa’s former deputy finance minister, Jabulani Moleketi. In the address in which he announced the takeover, Pravin Gordhan, the Minister of Public Enterprises, revealed that SAA would receive a R3 billion boost in investment from the new partners.

Destinations

SAA flies to ten destinations in Africa, including:

  • South Africa: Cape Town, Durban, East London, George, Harare (Zimbabwe), Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Windhoek (Namibia)

Loyalty Program

Voyager is the SAA loyalty program. It is a free-to-join program that offers members a variety of benefits, including:

  • Earn Voyager Miles for every flight you take with SAA or one of their partner airlines. Voyager Miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other rewards.
  • Enjoy exclusive member benefits, such as priority check-in, baggage handling, and lounge access.

Seating and Classes of Seats

SAA offers three cabin classes across its fleet:

  • Business Class: Business Class features spacious seats with lie-flat beds, direct aisle access, and gourmet meals.
  • Premium Economy Class: Premium Economy Class features comfortable seats with extra legroom and recline, as well as a variety of inflight entertainment options.
  • Economy Class: Economy Class features comfortable seats with plenty of legroom and recline, as well as a variety of inflight entertainment options.

Best Features of the Airline

SAA is known for its excellent service, wide network of destinations within Africa, and affordable fares. Some of the best features of the airline include:

  • Award-winning service: SAA has won numerous awards for its excellent service, including Skytrax’s Best Airline Staff in Africa award in 2022.
  • Wide network of destinations within Africa: SAA flies to ten destinations in Africa, making it a great choice for travelers who need to fly to a wide range of destinations within the continent.
  • Affordable fares: SAA offers competitive fares on all classes of service.

UK Airports from Which They Fly Out

SAA flies from the following UK airport:

  • London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Top Destinations for UK Travellers

The top destinations for UK travelers on SAA include:

  • Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • Durban, South Africa
  • Harare, Zimbabwe
  • Windhoek, Namibia

South African Airways is a great choice for travelers who are looking for an affordable and convenient way to fly to South Africa and other destinations in Africa. The airline offers a wide range of amenities, including comfortable seats, delicious food, and excellent service.

Book your South African Airways flight here