Cheap flights on South African Airways
SA
South African Airways known also as SAA or simply as 'South African'
(on their aircraft colour scheme). It was also known in Afrikaans as
Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens or SAL, although this version of the name no
longer painted on the planes. South African Airways is South Africa's
biggest domestic and international carrier. Based in Cape Town and
Johannesburg, SAA is currently one of the few profitable African
airlines. The story of South African began in 1934, when an airline
named Union Airways was bought by the government of South Africa, and
renamed South African Airways. The first cities served were Cape Town,
Durban and Johannesburg. Slowly over the following years South African
Airways was able to enter into the international market with flights to
Kenya and Uganda and continued to slowly grow to become the premier
airline it is today. Employing close to 12,000 people worldwide, South
African Airways staff include about 2,800 flight attendants and more
than 800 pilots whose uniforms were specially designed by
world-renowned South African couturier, Errol Arendz. SAA prides itself
with providing only the most excellent to their passengers. For example
wine experts sample 800 wines each year to select the 70 for on board
consumption. South African has also been well awarded with claims of
having the best business class flat bed seat in the world, according to
Skytrax.
Destinations
South African Airways serves more than 700 destinations throughout the
world carrying more than 6.5 million passengers each year and serving
34 cities in 26 countries on six continents. In Africa SAA serves
cities like Luanda, Cape Verde, Santa Maria, Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan,
Accra, Nairobi, Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mahebourg, Maputo, Windhoek, Lagos,
Dakar, Cape Town, East London, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Dar es
Salaam, Entebbe, Lusaka, Harare and Victoria Falls. Asian Destinations
like Hong Kong, Mumbai and Bangkok. In Europe SAA flies to Paris,
Frankfurt, Zürich and London, US cities Atlanta, New York City and
Washington, DC. Perth and Sydney in Australia and South American cities
São Paulo and Santiago.
Star Alliance
South African Airways is a founding member of the Star Alliance.
Airlines of the Star Alliance offer 790 destinations in 138 countries,
access to airport lounges around the world. By joining Voyager you can
earn miles/points no matter which Star Alliance airline you fly with.
You can also redeem your points/miles on any Star Alliance airline.
Voyager
With over 1.8 million members and growing, Voyager is one of the most
popular frequent flyer programmes in Africa. Voyager members can enjoy
greater spending power, locally and internationally, with Voyager
Miles. The Miles earned by flying South African Airways, or through the
use of an ever-expanding partner network, can be exchanged for a
multitude of magnificent Awards, within three calendar years. The more
frequently you fly South African Airways, South African Airlink, South
African Express Airways, Airlink Swaziland or Air Tanzania - during a
calendar year, the higher your Voyager status becomes. There are 5
tiers in Voyager - Blue, Silver, Gold, Platinum and ultimately,
Lifetime Platinum where you'll be entitled to more privileges, such as
Bonus Miles, access to private airport lounges such as The Baobab
lounge for business class international travellers at Johannesburg
International where there are 33 workstations offering ergonomic
business modules, computers, printers and faxes. Other privileges
include additional baggage allowance and even a Chauffeur service! The
lounges that Voyager members can gain access are some of the most
awarded in the world with the Cycad Premium Lounge in Johannesburg
ranked number three in the world