ZS-SAN: Lebombo
Lebombo is South African Airways' preserved 747-244B. Its history includes the airline's first jumbo service and the memorable flypast over the 1995 Rugby World Cup final.
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Lebombo is South African Airways' preserved 747-244B. Its history includes the airline's first jumbo service and the memorable flypast over the 1995 Rugby World Cup final.
Aircraft identity
- Registration: ZS-SAN
- Variant: Boeing 747-244B
- Serial number: 20239
- Operator history: South African Airways; last airline service 24 November 2003
- Record status: Preserved
Aircraft history
| Date or period | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 22 October 1971 | Delivered to South African Airways. Source |
| 10 December 1971 | Operated SAA's first 747 service, Johannesburg - Luanda - London. Source |
| 24 June 1995 | Flew over Ellis Park for the Rugby World Cup final. Source |
| 24 November 2003 | Last SAA service, Lagos to Johannesburg. Source |
| 5 March 2004 | Landed at Rand Airport for museum preservation. Source |
What makes this aircraft important
The aircraft remains a museum exhibit at Germiston. Confirm tour arrangements with the SAA Museum before visiting.
Status and access
The official collection or venue record lists this aircraft at South African Airways Museum Society, Germiston. Interior access, tours and opening arrangements can change. Check the venue information before visiting.
Sources checked: 3 October 2026. Dates are as specific as the confirming source; an undated milestone is labelled as a period rather than given an invented day.
Related
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
|---|---|
| Variant | 747-244B |
| First flight | 30 September 1971 |
| Status | Preserved |
| Engines | 4× Pratt & Whitney JT9D |
Sources
Facts on this page are checked against the primary and institutional references below.
- SAA Museum aircraft histories and dated records - South African Airways Museum Society
- Museum aircraft: Lebombo and Maluti - South African Airways Museum Society
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