South African Airways Boeing 747 fleet history
South African Airways flew 30 Boeing 747s from December 1971, set a world non-stop distance record with the 747SP in 1976, and retired its last 747-400 in December 2010.
South African Airways flew the 747 across every classic generation, using the range of the 747SP and 747-400 for routes that avoided overflying most of Africa.
SAA’s first 747, a 747-244B, was registered ZS-SAN “Lebombo” and delivered on 6 November 1971, entering Springbok service in December 1971. It was the first of about 30 747s the airline operated.
SAA flew six 747SP-44s and set a world distance record with the 747SP in 1976; later the 747-400, used from 1991, opened non-stop Johannesburg-to-United States routes.
| Model | Notes |
|---|---|
| 747-200B / -200M | Launch and Combi classics |
| 747SP-44 (6) | Long-range records from 1976 |
| 747-300 (6) | Stretched upper deck |
| 747-400 / -400M (8) | Final generation, Johannesburg to the US |
The 747SPs retired in October 2003 and the last 747-400, ZS-SAZ, was withdrawn in December 2010. Two preserved SAA aircraft remain: ZS-SAN and the 747SP ZS-SPC, both at the South African Airways Museum Society at Rand Airport.
Sources
- South African Airways brief history — SAA
- SAA rebuilding its widebody fleet — Flightradar24
- South African Airways 747SP fleet — 747SP.com
- South African Airways article — Wikipedia
Sources
Facts on this page are checked against the primary and institutional references below.
- South African Airways brief history — SAA
- SAA rebuilding its widebody fleet — Flightradar24
- South African Airways 747SP fleet — 747SP.com
- South African Airways article — Wikipedia
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