South African Airways (SAA) is a government owned national carrier. As a national carrier, it also subsidises Mango Airline. SAA offers the most extensive coverage of routes, in Africa as well as to 36 destinations worldwide. As a full-service carrier, SAA tickets tend to be more expensive but you are guaranteed food and drinks in-flight.

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.

In 1997 SAA announced a new corporate identity which saw a change in the tail design reflecting the colours of the new national flag. In recent years SAA started a fleet renewal programme, opened an online check-in service. It is also a proud member of the Star-Alliance group, the first African airline to achieve this, and the official carrier of the Springboks which are South Africa’s National Rugby team. They have a four star rating with the research consultancy firm Skytrax. SAA is also linked to South African Express and Airlink.

On-board services include meals, television and an in-flight magazine, Sawubona. Tickets are sold mostly online, but unlike its competitors SAA does not have affiliate marketing agreements to aid sales on the internet.

SAA has developed tremendously over the past decades and the airline promises to "deliver a world-class experience every time."

SAA Quick Fact

As national carrier, SAA goes back quite a few years. In fact SAA was initiated in February 1934, when the South African government took control of the assets and liabilities of Union Airways. They renamed the airline as South African airways, governed by the South African Railways and Harbour administration. In the 1940’s SAA became a military wing, suspending their services until December 1944. In April 1945 SAA became one of 44 active founding members of the International Air Transport Association.