Airline PAST#5:Early South African Airways Jet Age 

The age when SAA was a prosperous, efficient, well-managed and corruption-free airline.

Stunning footage, especially on the B707. I was a flight attendant on those beasts from 1981-1993, the best time of my life. Covid made me write my memoirs, which will be released as an e-book in early 2021.

So enjoyable to watch :-) Thank you! At 15:03 great to see the highest flying, highest Mach 747, the B747-SP, make a worthy appearance! The 747-SP allowed SAA (QANTAS and other airlines) to enter new markets by flying especially long routes. Also, great to see the extended upper deck's first appearance on the Classic 747-300 at 12:13 --also, look at those simply enormous trailing-edge triple-slotted Fowler Flaps--they are works of art, technical achievements and nothing like them is being manufactured in 2023... They live out their final days on the 747-400 as they weren't carried over onto the 747-8, which uses a simplified, but still large, TE flap system. And finally, at 17:45 we are treated to one of SAA's early B747-400 examples, sporting four triple-spool Rolls Royce RB211 turbofans (the engine that temporarily bankrupted Royce and was initially developed for the Lockheed L1011 Tristar widebody. It develops up to 62,000 lb of thrust depending on iteration). The 747-400 introduced the first 'two-pilot' 747 glass cockpit, no longer needing a Flight Engineer whose functionality was replaced by electronics, such as fully digital engine controllers (FADECS) and much more.

Wow awesome video, I love the sounds of those engines. RIP SAA

WOW, those were those days. We were so proud on the South African airways, which were a profitable company. A airways which were highly commended world wide. Now the SAA is bankrupt and non existent, thanx to the rotten to the core anc government and is cadres.

Now that was an airline! Bravo for the montage! Good job!

This is my kinda video. The legendary 707,747-100 and my favorite the old school 737 the way it was originally designed with the awesome JT8D's the first iteration 737 was my introduction into jet travel and Aviation as a whole and I have a special kind of love for the 737-100/200 they were loud fast and agile. I thank you for this video and the nostalgia it brought to me. Stay safe out there

My first commercial flight in 1973. SAA 707 Perth (where some of the footage of 747s was shot) to Jo-burg via Mauritius. Then a nearly new 747-200 to Heathrow via Luanda. The long way around African due to politics. This flight was instrumental in me changing career to be involved in civil aviation. A memorable flight even though so long ago.

The classic 747 (100 and 200 series) is the best proportioned and looking 747 out there. Joe Sutter (father of the 747) made a home run with this bird.

I'm really liking your videos keep them coming,,,cool

Many thanks for a super video!

That livery from the '60s and '70s is so sexy, it should be considered pornographic. The one from '81 to '97 is pretty as well, but not as much.

@15:30 that’s a pretty awesome looking forward section…recalls AF1 a little bit with colors , but love the transition from anti-glare hood to the cheat line

It was once a proud and efficient airline. But, SAA now sadly going bankrupt. It was also considered to be one of the best airlines in the world. Boeing even got some of their customer needs for the aircraft from SAA, It was in the days of the orange tails. And, to think that orange tails returned to the South African skies, for a while unfortunately, with Mango Airways.

Those 707's are my favourites out of all!

Yes when South African Airways stepped into the jet age (first jets were two chartered BOAC Comet aircraft. Because of Comets unfortunate string of incidents, they were returned) and they committed to …

Good footage, great SAA/SAL, was a respect companie ...

What an Airline, what a Country...what a People!

You guys don't want to see that South African Airways now in 2022.

Flew ZS-SAN LHR/JNB in the 80s. Absolutely fantastic service and superb meals. Flew SAA Business class. The best!!. Excellent vacations on CPT. Great memories!

09:42 two iconic aircraft right there

Do you have more footage? I'm looking forward to seeing more of these

Hi, I just emailed your RU-vid account email, but figured I'd ask here -- what's your source for this video? Looking to license this footage for a feature documentary. Thanks

I flew on SAA/SAL from London to Johannesburg in about 1973 and also internally Durban to Johannesburg at some point, can't remember what year.The London flights use to fly via Salisbury, Rhodesia, across South West Africa,both as was, then to Las Palmas to refuel and onwards to England.Whereas British Airways and Lux Air which we also used use to fly due north over Africa calling at Nairobi and Abajan and onwards to either London or Luxembourg.

Wow Business people walking on the Tarmac as Jet Taxi out; those were the days anybody walked around......

Flying used to be so glamorous. Unlike now. It's truly sad how now it's just a bus in the air

About eight years ago I was AT JNB checking in for a flight to Washington DC . The clueless agent had know idea what the airport code was and was just about to call her manager. I saved her the embarrassment

The good old days.. sigh

At 9.52 that was a tricky landing ,,

Was looking for the doomed Hindelburg

Notice, the first ones didn't have the Springbok on the tail

Fantastic! 3:02 puzzles me though.... "Here' you go sir, a delicious grilled tomato with your fillet, and for good measure, here's a nice big helping of cold grated soggy carrots".... Or were they shoe-string fries? Hard to tell....

I am born either late or early.

And then the ANC arrived.

15:07 butter landing

Just great everything worked very sad too see it now 😢

My favorite country south africa

All that stuffed up by ANC !

Lebombo🇿🇦

Say no more

I think South African Airways almost shutdown/close their doors some several months ago but good they have not & still in business.

Goeie ou dae

Good footage but never profitable notwithstanding the gold sales!

Questi sono i velivoli di SAA nell'epoca di Christiaan Barnard,,,,,,,,chissà il mio idolo quante volte sarà salito su questi aerei....per recarsi in Europa o America per i convegni....

Nice to see the "baby" 747 . ( The 747 SP - Special Performance.) I wish Boeing would bring it back.

Fly the racist airline.

Who has been milking the airlines and leaving the stench of urine?