About South African Airways (SAA)

South African Airways (SAA) is the national flag carrier of South Africa, with its headquarters situated at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. SAA traces its origins back to when it was established by the government to oversee the nation's air travel needs and has grown to become a major player on the African continent and across the globe. The airline has a storied history of service expansion and innovation within the aviation industry. Throughout its operational years, SAA has adapted to various global and domestic challenges, ranging from economic shifts to changes in customer preferences and aviation technology. The fleet of South African Airways has been notably recognized for its adherence to safety and operational standards, reinforcing its reputation as one of the primary carriers in Africa. The airline's selection of aircraft has typically reflected a balance between modernity and efficiency, aiming to offer reliable service across its routes. The versatility of its fleet allows SAA to operate a network that includes domestic flights within South Africa as well as international services. This strategic fleet management ensures that the carrier can meet the diverse needs of its passengers while maintaining environmental and cost efficiency. South African Airways offers a range of services designed to enhance the passenger experience. From onboard amenities to customer service, SAA strives to maintain a high standard of passenger comfort and convenience. The airline's service offerings include multiple travel classes, where each class is tailored to meet different passenger needs and expectations, ranging from more spacious seating arrangements to gourmet meals and exclusive lounge access. Additionally, SAA is involved in various global partnerships and alliances, which help in broadening its connectivity and providing passengers with seamless travel experiences across an extensive network of destinations worldwide. This approach underpins SAA's commitment to delivering quality airline services, focusing on customer satisfaction and operational excellence.

Overall Value for Money

2.5

From 47 reviews

Seat and Cabin Space

2.8

From 47 reviews

Customer Service

2.6

From 47 reviews

In Flight Entertainment

2.7

From 42 reviews

Baggage Handling

3.0

From 1 review

Check-in Process

3.0

From 1 review

Meals and Beverages

2.8

From 46 reviews

Recommend Airline

37.5%

From 48 reviews

Latest Passenger Reviews for South African Airways (SAA)

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Anna Lucas
Anna LucasNov 12, 2025
Copa Airlines

I've flown Copa twice, once from Washington, D.C., IAD, and once from Denver, DIA. Both, I thought, were great experiences. When flying from IAD, my flight was delayed from Washington to Panama City, resulting in me missing my connection to Guatemala City. However, although this was annoying, it was handled very well. Because I missed the last connection of the night, the airline put every passenger on the plane up in a hotel in Panama City, a very nice one called Hotel Megatropolis, at no cost to us. They also bussed us there, and gave us meal vouchers. They also automatically rebooked us on the next flight out in the morning, and then gave us a time in the morning to be bussed back to the airport, early enough for everyone to make their connections without a time crunch. I was an 18-year-old female solo traveller for this trip, and I felt very safe and relaxes with this hiccup in the trip. My morning flight to Guatemala City was easy and on-time, and my trip back to Dulles a week later was uneventful. A few months ago, in May, I also flew Copa again from Denver, DIA, to Panama City, and used Copa's stopover program for two days, which was very easy and unproblematic, and then flew from Panama City, to Nassau, Bahamas. I had some issues with seat assignment, where I booked my ticket and it said I had chosen my seats, yet when I checked the reservation a few weeks later, they weren't there, but I called Copa customer service and they were able to help me fix it very quickly, and they spoke good english. This was also a very easy flight otherwise, no hiccups with this trip, and the flights were on-time. I understand some people have had bad experiences with this airline, but I personally have only had good experiences and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to book affordable flights to/from Central and South America, or the Carribean.

4 / 10

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