South African Airways is one of the world’s oldest airlines having been formed in February 1934. The South African Government took over the assets – and liabilities- of the struggling Union Airways and formed South African Airways. SAA fell under the control of South African Railways and harbours.

SAA started its first intercontinental route in 1945. The route was from Palmietfontein (then Johannesburg's international airport) to Hurn Airport at Bournemouth in the U.K. Heathrow had not yet been built.

In 1960 SAA entered the jet age with the Boeing 707. The 707 was used on services to Europe, Australia and America. The New York route was via Rio de Janeiro. SAA continued its rapid growth, introducing Boeing 727s on regional and domestic routes. 1968 saw the introduction of Boeing 737 aircraft as the older piston-engined aeroplanes were retired. By the end of the 1960s SAA was operating 29 aircraft.

South African Airways joined the Star Alliance, the world’s largest global airline network, on 10 April 2006. SAA’s membership to the Star Alliance is unique in that it is the only airline based in Africa.

Contact South African Airways here:

Fort Lauderdale 515 East Las Olas Blvd
Suite 1600
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
33301
tel: 954 769 5000
fax: 954 769 5079
08:30-20:00EST Mon-Fri
08:00-16:00EST Sat-Sun
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Hartsfield International Airport Concourse E
Hartsfield International Airport
Atlanta, Georgia
tel: 1-800 325 8224
tel: 1-800 722 9675

John F. Kennedy Airport South African Airways
JFK International Air Terminal
Terminal #4
Concourse B
Room 272.004
JFK Int'l Airport, Jamaica, NY 11430
tel: 1 800 722 9675

Washington Dulles International Airport
Main Terminal
Check-in Zone 2
Concourse B
Gate B37