South African Airways, established in 1934, is South Africa's largest domestic and international airline. SAA was one of the first national airlines in the world.Modern day SAA has hubs in Cape Town and Johannesburg. It is owned by Transnet, a public transport company. Two percent of the stocks are held by SAA's 9,000 employees.
It serves 31 cities in 25 countries, carrying more than 7 million passengers per year. Recently a member of the exclusive Star Alliance, the connection vastly extended the number of destinations SAA flies to. Skytrax, the British experts on aviation ratings, declares SAA one of the best international airlines in terms of products offered and service standards. Employees receive intensive advanced training programs to help SAA maintain its reputation for excellent customer service.
One of the top airlines in the business is the SAA. The SAA, or Suid-Afriaanse Lugdiens in Afrikaans, is always ranked as the top performer, safest and money making airline. There are also many other catagories in which they rank high.
In 1934 the first cities served by SAA were Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. Later, SAA added flights to Kenya, British East Africa and Uganda signaling an entrance to the international market. In WWII the airline was more or less shut down but by 1945 SAA had achieved it's long term goal of opening a European route by introducing a flight to Bournemouth.
The SAA brought the 707 to it's airline in the 1950's. It was the next one in line, after the UK, to operate a pure jetliner flight. These jets would finally start to fly non-stop to the UK and it's European neighbors within two years. Then New York was added as a stop in 1969. The fleet now claims a fleet of more than 45 aircraft.
SAA's loyalty program, Voyager, has nearly 2 million members. Members can earn airmiles on SAA as well as for flights with their partner airlines and Star Alliance members. SAA backs up its commitment to customer service by investing millions each year on in-flight entertainment. Passengers may choose from more than a dozen movie channels, video games, music and travel information.
They can also enjoy the Boabab Lounge at Johannesburg, which offers workstations complete with computers, faxes and printers. SAAs Cyclad Premium Lounge in Johannesburg was voted the third best in the world in a Skytrax survey in 2002.Business and first-class passengers are pampered even more. Business class offers the best business flat bed seats in the industry, according to Skytrax.
South African Airways offers lots of great features in their first class cabins. The beds could well be the widest in the industy, being 29 inches wide. They lie flat at 180 degress. Each seat has an ottoman that can be controlled electronically. There are also big, private televisions with on-demand audio and video. So kick back in those comfy seats and enjoy a show!
Large private television screens with audio-video-on -demand are standard here as well.Business class travelers find generously wide, fully adjustable seats with an adjustable headrest and pneumatic lumbar support.
South African Airways travelers who fly economy have available to them private televisions including audio-visual-on-demand and they are treated to a choice of two savory meals which are enhanced with a selection of South African Wines.
Safety and maintenance are very important to South African Airways. They have the largest maintenance facility in Africa, located at Johannesburg. Not only do they do their own maintenance, they also do maintenance on British Airways and Air France planes. - 16492
It serves 31 cities in 25 countries, carrying more than 7 million passengers per year. Recently a member of the exclusive Star Alliance, the connection vastly extended the number of destinations SAA flies to. Skytrax, the British experts on aviation ratings, declares SAA one of the best international airlines in terms of products offered and service standards. Employees receive intensive advanced training programs to help SAA maintain its reputation for excellent customer service.
One of the top airlines in the business is the SAA. The SAA, or Suid-Afriaanse Lugdiens in Afrikaans, is always ranked as the top performer, safest and money making airline. There are also many other catagories in which they rank high.
In 1934 the first cities served by SAA were Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. Later, SAA added flights to Kenya, British East Africa and Uganda signaling an entrance to the international market. In WWII the airline was more or less shut down but by 1945 SAA had achieved it's long term goal of opening a European route by introducing a flight to Bournemouth.
The SAA brought the 707 to it's airline in the 1950's. It was the next one in line, after the UK, to operate a pure jetliner flight. These jets would finally start to fly non-stop to the UK and it's European neighbors within two years. Then New York was added as a stop in 1969. The fleet now claims a fleet of more than 45 aircraft.
SAA's loyalty program, Voyager, has nearly 2 million members. Members can earn airmiles on SAA as well as for flights with their partner airlines and Star Alliance members. SAA backs up its commitment to customer service by investing millions each year on in-flight entertainment. Passengers may choose from more than a dozen movie channels, video games, music and travel information.
They can also enjoy the Boabab Lounge at Johannesburg, which offers workstations complete with computers, faxes and printers. SAAs Cyclad Premium Lounge in Johannesburg was voted the third best in the world in a Skytrax survey in 2002.Business and first-class passengers are pampered even more. Business class offers the best business flat bed seats in the industry, according to Skytrax.
South African Airways offers lots of great features in their first class cabins. The beds could well be the widest in the industy, being 29 inches wide. They lie flat at 180 degress. Each seat has an ottoman that can be controlled electronically. There are also big, private televisions with on-demand audio and video. So kick back in those comfy seats and enjoy a show!
Large private television screens with audio-video-on -demand are standard here as well.Business class travelers find generously wide, fully adjustable seats with an adjustable headrest and pneumatic lumbar support.
South African Airways travelers who fly economy have available to them private televisions including audio-visual-on-demand and they are treated to a choice of two savory meals which are enhanced with a selection of South African Wines.
Safety and maintenance are very important to South African Airways. They have the largest maintenance facility in Africa, located at Johannesburg. Not only do they do their own maintenance, they also do maintenance on British Airways and Air France planes. - 16492
About the Author:
Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for South Arica's leading Flight comparison portal, which includes SAA amongst others.
