SAA Awards: A History of Plaudits

Each award drives us to improve, to make our passengers experience even more positive and memorable.

SAA will continue to consolidate its position as a leading airline by investing significantly in its fleet and taking an innovative approach to its route network. It is, however, our motivated staff that have helped to maintain our popularity amongst customers.

Along with a host of other awards, the Skytrax Awards – the Oscars of the aviation industry – are one of the most coveted accolades in the industry. Skytrax evaluates traveller experiences across different airport services and performance indicators - check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security and immigration through to departure at the gate. They are the benchmark for excellence that airlines measure themselves against. In 2015 SAA was judged the best airline in Africa, an award it has won for the last 13 years running.

At the same ceremony SAA won the Best Airline Staff in Africa for the fourth time. This award, voted on by our customers, was a measure of the quality of SAA’s front line staff and their dedication to excellent customer service.

SAA’s low-cost carrier, Mango, was also voted the Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa.

Since 2001, we have been proud to receive the following awards and titles

  • 2018 SAA Awards
    Department Award Presenter Category
    SAA Corporate ACSA Feather Awards  Best Performing Domestic Full Service Airline - ORTIA
    SAA Corporate ACSA Feather Awards  Best Performing Regional Airline - ORTIA
    SAA Corporate ACSA Feather Awards  Best Performing Domestic Full Service Airline - CTIA
    SAA Corporate ACSA Feather Awards  Best Performing Domestic Full Service Airline - KSIA
    SAA Corporate Global Traveler Magazine  Best Airline in Africa
    SAA Corporate Sunday Times Top Brands Domestic Airline - Consumer Category
    SAA Corporate Business Traveller Awards 2018 Best African Airline
    SAA Corporate World Travel Awards™ Africa’s Leading In-Flight Magazine
    SAA Corporate Trazee Travel Favorite Airline in Africa
    SAA Corporate World Airline Awards - Skytrax Best Business Class Lounge in Africa
    SAA Corporate World Airline Awards - Skytrax Best Cabin Crew in Africa
    SAA Corporate World Airline Awards - Skytrax Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness in Africa
    SAA Corporate World Airline Awards - Skytrax Best Airline Staff in Africa
    SAA Corporate Sunday Times Generation Next Awards Coolest Domestic Airline
    SAA Corporate Africa Travel Indaba 2018 Transport category-Gold Award
    SAA Corporate Skytrax 4-Star Skytrax (16th Consecutive year)
    SAA Corporate Apex Regional Passenger Choice Awards (PCAs) Best Seat Comfort
    SAA Corporate Apex Regional Passenger Choice Awards (PCAs) Best Cabin Service
    SAA Corporate Apex Regional Passenger Choice Awards (PCAs) Best Food and Beverage
    SAA Corporate Apex Regional Passenger Choice Awards (PCAs) Best Overall in Africa
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
  • 2017 SAA Awards
    Department Award Presenter Category
    SAA Corporate Business Traveler Magazine Best Airline in Africa-9th Consecutive Year
    SAA Corporate Business Traveler Magazine Best Airline in Africa-8th Consecutive Year
    SAA Global Traveler Best Airline to Africa-14th Consecutive Year
    SAA Corporate Magellan Awards for 2017 Gold: Airline Marketing - Promotional Video “South African Airways Next Beginnings Video”
    SAA Corporate Magellan Awards for 2017 Gold: Tour Operators Marketing - Consumer collateral "South African Airways Vacations Product Brochure"
    SAA Corporate Magellan Awards for 2017 Silver: Tour Operator Marketing "South African Airways Vacations Product Brochure"
    SAA Corporate Magellan Awards for 2017 Silver: Airline - Overall-International Carrier "South African Airways Vacations South Africa Travel Planner”
    SAA Corporate Magellan Awards for 2017 Silver: Tour Operator - Marketing - Trade Collateral "South African Airways Vacations Product Brochure"
    SAA Corporate Sunday Times Top Brands 2017 Domestic Airlines-Consumer
    SAA Corporate Sunday Times Generation Next Awards Coolest Domestic Airline
    SAA  Corporate Skytrax 4 Star ranking 15th year
    SAA Corporate World Airline Awards Best Staff Service
    SAA Cargo Air Cargo Airline of the Year Awards Best Cargo Airline – Africa
    SAA Cargo STAT Times Air Cargo Brand of the Year in Africa
    SAA Corporate Business Traveller Africa Conferences & Awards Best African Long - Haul Airline
    SAA Corporate World Travel Awards Africa's Leading In-flight Magazine
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
  • 2016 SAA Awards
    Department Award Presenter Category
         
    Saa Cargo Euro Cargo Best Air Cargo Supporter for the Europe-Southern Africa Route
    SAA Corporate Cheapflights Awards 2016 South Africa Best Domestic Airline
    SAA Corporate Global Traveler Magazine Best Airline for Onboard Service
    SAA Corporate Global Traveler Magazine Best Airline for Flight Attendants
    SAA Corporate Global Traveler Magazine Best Airport Lounges
    SAA Corporate Global Traveler Magazine Best Airline in Africa
    SAA Corporate Magellan Awards for 2016 from Travel Weekly Gold: Airline Marketing - Promotional Video “What It Means To Be African”
    SAA Corporate Magellan Awards for 2016 from Travel Weekly Gold: Airline Marketing – Direct Mail South African Airways Product Brochure
    SAA Corporate Magellan Awards for 2016 from Travel Weekly Silver: Tour Operator Marketing – Trade Collateral South African Airways Vacations 2016 Brochure
    SAA Corporate Ask Afrika Icon Brands Overall Winner Business Airlines
    SAA Corporate Ask Afrika Icon Brands Overall Winner Personal Airlines
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Best Airline in Africa (for the 14th Consecutive year)
    SAA Corporate Sunday Times  Generation Next Awards Coolest Domestic Airline
    SAA Corporate Business Traveller Africa Conference & Awards Africa Long Haul Airline
    SAA Corporate Business Traveller Africa Conference & Awards Africa Short Haul Airline
    SAA Mauritius ATOL Efficiency of Check-In Staff
    SAA Mauritius ATOL Waiting time in Check-In Queue
    SAA Mauritius ATOL Best Airline Overall
  • 2015 SAA Awards
    Department Award Presenter Category
    SAA Corporate Sunday Times Generation Next Awards Coolest Domestic Airline
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Best Airline in Africa (for the 13th Consecutive year)
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Best Airline staff in Africa (for the 4th time)
  • 2014 SAA Awards
    Department Award Presenter Category
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Best Service Staff in Africa
    SAA Corporate Skytrax 4-Star Rating Retention
    SAA Corporate SA Ubuntu Tourism Awards Top Perfoming Airline
    SAA Corporate World Travel Awards Leading Airline in Africa
    SAA Corporate Sunday Times Generation Next Awards Coolest Domestic Airline
    SAA Corporate Sunday Times Top Brands 2014 Domestic Airlines-SAA
    SAA Corporate Business Traveller Awards Best African Airline
    SAA Corporate Ask Afrika Orange Index Industry Leader:Airline
    SAA Corporate Premier Traveller Magazine Best Airline in Africa
    SAA Corporate Global Traveller Awards Best Airline in Africa
    SAA Corporate Global Traveller Awards 9th Position for Best Airline:Onboard Service
    SAA Corporate Global Traveller Awards 10 Position for Best Airline:Flight Attendant
    ORTIA Operations Global Traveller Awards 9th Position for Best Airline Lounges:Cycad Lounge
  • 2013 SAA Awards
    Department Award Presenter Category
    SAA Corporate Skytrax 4 Star rating retention for 2013
    SAA Corporate Flightstats On Time performance Service Award
    SAA Cargo STAT Times African Cargo Airline of the year
    SAA Corporate SA Tourism Ubuntu Award Top Performing Airline
  • 2012 SAA Awards
    Department Award Presenter Category
    SAA Corporate World Travel Awards Leading Airline in Africa 2011
    SAA Corporate Public Sector Excellence Awards
    SAA Corporate Skytrax 4 Star Awards 4 Star Awarded
    SAA Corporate Sunday Times Generation X Coolest Domestic Airline
    SAA Corporate Sunday Times Beat Brand Awards Consumer
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Best Airline in Africa
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Best Staff Service in Africa
    SAA Corporate Global Travelller Magazine Awards Best White Wine in International Business Class
    SAA Corporate SATOA - Travel and Tourism Association for Southern Africa Best Airline in Africa
    SAA Corporate Business Traveller Awards Best African Airline
    SAA Corporate Apex Passenger Experience-(over 50 fleet IFE )
    SAA Corporate Ask Africa - Orange Index Service Excellence Africa
    SAA Corporate Premier Traveler Magazine Best airline to Africa
    SAA Corporate Global Traveler's Award Best airline to Africa
  • 2011 SAA Awards
    Department Award Presenter Category
    SAA Cargo ACW Best African Cargo Airline
    SAA Corporate SAT - Indaba Platinum Award for Exquisite Stand
    SAA Corporate Sunday Times Coolest Airline -Brand Awards
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Best Airline Africa
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Service Excellence Africa
    SAA Corporate TGI Iconic Airline awards
    SAA Corporate Sunday Times Top Brand Award Best Domestic Airline - Consumer
    SAA Corporate Global Travelller Best Business Class Sparkling Wine
    SAA Corporate Apex Passenger Experience - (over 50 fleet IFE )
    SAA Corporate World Travel Awards Africa's Leading Airline
    SAA Corporate Travel Agents Choice Airline of the year to Africa 2011
    SAA Corporate Ask Africa - Orange Index Best Airline Africa
    SAA Corporate ACSA feather Awards Best Full Service Airline at Ortia
    SAA Corporate ACSA feather Awards Best Full Service Airline at PE
    SAA Malawi Travel Agents Association of Malawi Best Airline in  Malawi
  • 2010 SAA Awards
    Department Award Presenter Category
    SAA Cargo ACW Certificate of Air Cargo
    SAA Corporate SA Tourism Ubuntu Awards Best Partner
    SAA Cargo CAN Best African Cargo Airline
    SAA Corporate Skytrax customer satisfaction Best Airline Africa Survey
    SAA Corporate Skytrax customer satisfaction Service Excellence Afria Survey
    SAA Corporate Sunday Times Generation Next coolest brand Coolest Domestic Airline
    SAA Corporate Executive Travel Magazine Best Airline to Africa
    SAA Corporate The World Travel Awards Africa's Leading Airline
    SAA Corporate Sunday Times/TNS SA Top Brands Top Brand Domestic Airline - General Consumer
    SAA India Today's Traveller Award Best international Airline connecting India to Africa
    SAA Pretoria News Best Airline
    SAA Nigeria African Travel Quarterly African Airline of the Year
    SAA Corporate Acsa Feather Awards Best Domestic Airline ORTIA
  • 2009 SAA Awards
    Department Award Presenter Category
    SAA World Travel Awards Africa’s Leading Airline
    SAA Sunday Times Top Brands Awards Best Domestic Airline (Business to Consumer)
    SAA Travel Weekly Globe Awards Best Scheduled Airline in Africa
    SAA Skytrax Customer Satisfaction Survey Best Airline in Africa
    Cargo Air Cargo Magazine Best African Air Cargo
    SAA World Travel Awards Africa’s Leading Airline
    SAA Africa’s Annual Travel and Tourism Exhibition Best Airline Stand at Indaba
    SAA Sunday Times/Generation Next Coolest Domestic Airline Brand
  • 2008 SAA Awards
    Department Award Presenter Category
    SAA CBC African Business Awards Airline of the Year
    SAA World Travel Awards Africa’s Leading Airline
    SAA Cargo Air Cargo World Air Cargo Award of Excellence
    SAA Cargo Air Cargo News Best African Cargo Airline
    SAA Weekly Globe Awards Best Airline to Africa (17th consecutive year)
    SAA OAG Best Airline Based in Africa (10th consecutive year)
    SAA Telegraph Ultra (UK) Best African Airline
  • 2007 SAA Awards
    Department Award Presenter Category
    SAA Corporate Weekly Globe Awards Best Scheduled Airline to Africa
    SAA Voyager Razor's Edge Business Intelligence Awards Best Stand Alone Highest Value Credit Card
    SAA Corporate ASATA Best Online International Airline
    SAA Corporate ASATA Best African Airline
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Best Airline in Africa - YC Service
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Best Airline in Africa - PC Service
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Top Ten Global Rankings - YC Service
    SAA Corporate OAG Airline of the Year Awards Best Airline Based in Africa
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Top Ten Global Rankings - PC Service
    SAA 14th World Travel Awards for Africa Africa's Leading Airline
    SAA 14th World Travel Awards for Africa Africa's Leading FC Product
    SAA 14th World Travel Awards for Africa Africa's Leading FC Product
    SAA 14th World Travel Awards for Africa Africa's Leading Website
    SAA Voyager Razor's Edge Business Intelligence 7 Best Loyalty Programme Survey Award Best FFP
    SAA Corporate Star Consumer/readers 'Your Choice 2007' Award Best Airline
    SAA Corporate Markinor SA Top Brands Best Domestic Airline: 4th year
    SAA Corporate Business Traveller Award Best African Airline
    SAA Corporate Danish Travel Awards 3rd place for Best Intercontinental Airline
  • 2006 SAA Awards
    Department Award Presenter Category
    SAA Corporate Travel Weekly Globe Awards Best Airline to Africa from the UK (15th consecutive year)
    SAA Corporate Global Traveler Awards Best Airline to Africa
    SAA Corporate Business Travel Magazine - Annual Best in Class Awards Best Business Class Service to Africa
    SAA Corporate ASATA/Diners Award Best African Airline
    SAA Corporate ASATA/Diners Award Best International Airline
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Best Premium Flat Bed Seat in the World
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Best Airline in Africa
    SAA Corporate OAG Airline of the Year Awards Best Airline Based in Africa (6th consecutive year)
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Customer Survey Best Long Haul Business Class (2nd position)
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Customer Survey PC Lounge ranks 5th in the World
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Customer Survey FC Lounges rank 4th in World
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Customer Survey Best Cabin Crew in Africa
    SAA Corporate Markinor SA Top Brands Best Domestic Airline (2nd year)
    SAA Corporate World Travel Awards Africa's Leading Airline
    SAA Corporate World Travel Awards Africa's Leading First Class Airline
    SAA Corporate World Travel Awards Africa's Leading Business Class Airline
    SAA Corporate Frost and Sullivan Fleet Development Award for African Carrier
  • 2005 SAA Awards
    Department Award Presenter Category
    SAA Corporate Travel Weekly Globe Awards Best Airline to Africa
    SAA Corporate Travel Channel Survey Best Airline Service On Board and On the Ground Long Haul Routes (2nd place)
    SAA Corporate PMR Company that Contributed Most the Economic Growth and Development of the Province
    SAA Corporate ACSA Golden Feather Awards
    SAA Corporate Diners Club ASATA Awards Best African Airline
    SAA Corporate Skytrax 1st Best Airline in Africa
    SAA Corporate Skytrax 1st Best Cabin Staff in Africa
    SAA Corporate Skytrax 2nd Best Business Class Service in the World
    SAA Corporate Skytrax 3rd Best FC Lounges Globally
    SAA Corporate Skytrax 3rd Best Airline Middle East/Africa
    SAA LHR Call Centre and Skytrax 1st in the BPA Competitive Review for Best Performing Reservations Centre
  • 2004 SAA Awards
    Department Award Presenter Category
    SAA Brazil - Best Airline to Africa
    SAA Corporate ASATA Diners Club ASATA Awards African Airline
    SAA Direct Channels E-commerce ASATA Diners Club ASATA Awards International Online Airline
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Airline of the Year Africa
    SAA Brazil Brazil Travel News Best International Airline - The 10 Best of Tourism
    SAA Corporate Indaba Best Airline Stand
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Finalist in Service Excellence Award
    SAA Corporate Saturday Star Orchid Award Best Ad Award from Brendan Seery Best SA 10th Anniversary Advert
    SAA Corporate Skytrax SAA First Class ranks 6th globally
    SAA Corporate Skytrax SAA FC Curbside Check-in ranks 2nd globally. SAA FC Lounges ranks 4th globally
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Best Cabin Service in Africa
    SAA Corporate Skytrax Best Flat Bed Seat in the World
    SAA Corporate South African Government Award for Women in Development
    SAA Corporate Best of Johannesburg 2004 Readers Best Airline (Domestic)
    SAA Markinor/Sunday Times and Best Brand Domestic Airline
    SAA Selling Long Haul Travel Awards Best Airline to Southern and Central Africa
    SAA East London Border Technikon Outstanding Contribution to Co-operative Education
    SAA Corporate Ask Africa Public Trust Barometer The Most Trusted Company
    SAA CIA ACSA - Feather Awards Best International Airline in Cape Town
    SAA Corporate Skytrax 2004/2005 Awards FC Lounges Ranked no. 2 in the World
    SAA Zimbabwe Office Foundation for Excellence Practice, Geneva, Switzerland Gold Medal
    SAA Corporate - First non-Saudi Airline to Fly into Madinah
  • 2003 SAA Awards
    Department Award Presenter Category
    SAA Travel Weekly Globe Awards Best Airline to Africa
    SAA ASATA Best African Airline
    SAA ASATA Best Domestic Airline
    SAA ASATA Best International Airline Flying to South Africa
    SAA Skytrax Best Airline in Africa
    SAA Skytrax Best Cabin Crew in Africa
    SAA Indaba Best Airline Stand 2003
    SAA OAG Airline of the Year Awards Best Airline Based in Africa
    SAA Skytrax First Class Rankings First Class Home-base Check-in ranked 1st
    Conde Naste Top 10 Trans Atlantic Airlines Ranked No. 7
  • 2002 SAA Awards
    Department Award Presenter Category
    SAA Business Traveller (USA) Best to Fly Business Class to Africa
    SAA Skytrax Best Airline in Africa
    SAA Skytrax Best Cabin Crew in Africa
    SAA/Sawubona Advantage AdMag Best In-flight Magazine
    SAA Association of British Travel Agents Most Outstanding African Airline
    SAA Diners Club/ASATA Best African Airline
    SAA Diners Club/ASATA Best International Online Airline
    SAA OAG Airline of the Year Awards Best Airline Based in Africa
    SAA Durban Tourism Indaba Best Airline Stand
    SAA UK Travel Trade Magazine 'Selling Long Haul’ Best Airline to Africa
    SAA Tanzania Society of Travel Agents Best Airline in Africa
    SAA World Online Entertainment Association First Runner-up for Best Single In-flight Audio Programme
  • 2001 SAA Awards
    Department Award Presenter Category
    Cargo Air Cargo News Best Cargo Airline
    SAA Skytrax Best Airline in Africa
    SAA Skytrax Best Airline in South Africa
    SAA Skytrax Best Cabin Crew in Africa
    Flight Despatch SITA Flight Operations Customer Loyalty Award
    Marketing and Communication Star - Orchard Award Best Advert of the Week
    SAA/Sawubona Advantage AdMag Awards Best In-flight Magazine
    Product Excellence Cast in Stone - Training Video on SAA Corporate Image and Uniform Collection
    SAA Travel Weekly Globe Awards Best Airline to Africa