South African Airways History: 1934 to Today – Airline Employee Shop

South African Airways History

South African Airways grew from a 1934 government takeover of Union Airways into the airline of the Flying Springbok, linking Johannesburg with London, the Americas and Asia. Here's a short history of South African Airways, plus the South African Airways collection that celebrates them.

From Union Airways to SAA (1929-1944)

Union Airways was founded in 1929. On February 1, 1934, the government took it over and renamed it South African Airways. The first three Junkers Ju 52/3m airliners arrived that October. In 1935 the airline moved to Rand Airport, making Johannesburg its hub, and in 1937 it opened regional services to Lusaka and Kisumu. After wartime service, limited flights resumed in December 1944 with Lodestars released by the South African Air Force.

The Springbok Service (1945-1959)

On November 10, 1945, SAA opened its first intercontinental route, the Springbok Service to London, flown by Avro Yorks. Lockheed Constellations, its first pressurised aircraft, took over in 1950 and cut the trip to London to 28 hours. In October 1953 SAA entered the jet age with Comets chartered from BOAC, a forerunner of British Airways. Service to Australia began in 1957.

Boeing jets and long detours (1960-1990)

The Boeing 707 joined the Springbok Service in October 1960, followed by the 727 in 1965 and the 737 in 1968. From 1963, many African countries denied SAA overflight rights, so flights to Europe detoured around the bulge of West Africa, usually via Ilha do Sal. The first Boeing 747, named Lebombo, arrived in 1971. The long-range 747SP came in 1976 and set a nonstop delivery flight record from Seattle to Cape Town. International sanctions suspended New York flights in November 1986.

New colours and a restart (1991-today)

Routes reopened from 1991. In 1997 a new identity based on the national flag replaced the springbok emblem, though "Springbok" is still the radio callsign. In April 2006 SAA became the first African member of Star Alliance. It entered business rescue in December 2019, emerged in April 2021, and returned to the skies on September 23, 2021. SAA marked its 90th anniversary in 2024 and is based at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

A few things collectors love

  • The Flying Springbok logo, used from 1934 to 1997.
  • "Ndizani," the multicoloured 747 that flew athletes to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
  • The SAA 747 that flew over Ellis Park before the 1995 Rugby World Cup final.

Shop South African Airways

Browse South African Airways logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the South African Airways collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag to complete your Springbok kit.

AirlineEmployeeShop.com is an independent retailer of airline memorabilia. This page is for historical interest and is not affiliated with or endorsed by South African Airways.