Airline PAST#5:Early South African Airways Jet Age

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 the Boeing 707 followed by Boeing 727, 737, 747, 767 & A300 Airbus jetliners, unfortunately it was under the Apartheid (racist) government of that era. Although the country's legal status was of the Racial Division of people based on skin color, the state owned flag carrier, South African Airways did a lot less of this while transporting anyone who had a ticket... and obviously, the jetliners (which all my videos feature - except the John Travolta ones - are about Jetliners! So the Jetliners were innocent, they didn't care who sat next to or who you sat with nor what color anyone was. So please respect that and only enjoy looking back at your favorite jetliners in action for service with South African Airways! Not Politics BUT Jets!

[@supercat380]

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

[@dianamincher6479]

And full of restrictions, authoritarianism and racism!

[@supercat380]

@@dianamincher6479 I agree. Still is not free of racism, this time against the white minority. Time to abolish any form of racism in South Africa!

[@Arnz01]

@@supercat380 Fighting against racism is like trying to fuck for virginity. It's engrained in our humanity. When we're all beige in the year 2300, we'll argue what shade is better.

[@andrewdutoit9571]

@@dianamincher6479 Not at all. SAA was part of IATA and they laid down the rules concerning service.

[@andrewdutoit9571]

@BK Sorry, I'm not familiar with the term.

[@fuzzykoenig6981]

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.

[@dianamincher6479]

Down memory lane to have a nightmare!

[@andrewdutoit9571]

@@dianamincher6479 No maam, it's was bliss working for SAA, it wasn't a job but a hobby.

[@wesselwhitehead5116]

@@dianamincher6479 are you an amber?

[@supercat380]

I grew up seeing the beautifully coloured SAA 707's, 727's, 737's and A300s flying over our house. I would love to read your ebook stories about your experiences as flight crew aboard SAA aircraft during your service with them. Could you please refer me to the site to access your book? Thanks for the memories. Regards. Peter

[@loganroodt818]

I can only imagine the nostalgia you must feel!!!! I think I'd probably shed a tear if I were you. It must have been nice to have been young in those times working on planes of that time. World must have been a totally different place then and aviation was a totally different world then too.

[@Michael.Chapman]

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.

[@John-pl8fe]

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

[@johnphillipstevensen3490]

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

[@johnmoss8230]

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

[@Starboard76]

A special generation who experienced that special period of time.

[@dianamincher6479]

All aircraft will be sold to pay all debts!

[@johnmoss8230]

@@dianamincher6479 not a Boeing fan I take it???

[@goldengate1927]

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.

[@terguo]

GOLDEN GATE amen

[@dianamincher6479]

We were suffering trade embargoes because of Apartheid and Angolan fighters were trying to wipe us out?

[@goldengate1927]

@@dianamincher6479 I dont know what apartheid mean to you, but it is the same as it is in America , separate development. strangely enough , during that embargo time, we had the best economy ever, we developed the most advanced military weapons and equipment that were ever built. Surprisingly, the countries which sanctioned South Africa bought this military equipment from us. But also, it was the british that instated the 1913 law that no black person is entitled to any property in this land and it was the british that started the separate development scheme is South AFRICA AND STIL TODAY THEY SUPPORT THAT THEORY

[@1pasupaty]

Yeah corrupt and lazy anc cadres.

[@andrewdutoit9571]

@@dianamincher6479 I have pity for you, you really had a unhappy childhood as you can see nothing but Racism and nastyness. Is there nothing else in the World besides your problem with race?

[@amazer747]

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.

[@lexusdriver1963]

The reason why South African Airways used the 747s is because South African Airways was banned from flying over other African Countries thus they had to fly around the continent over the Atlantic or Indian Ocean. African Countries closing their airspace to South African Airways was to protest South Africa's aparthied regime.

[@TheLouisamite]

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

[@dianamincher6479]

Many thanks for a super video!

[@lrg3834]

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.

[@Pwj579]

@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

[@alexsandrodesouzagoncalves3373]

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

[@azariacba]

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.

[@andrewdutoit9571]

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

[@dianamincher6479]

Got the arithmetic mixed up and now suffering a mammoth loss!

[@dianamincher6479]

And the people don't seem to have matured either?

[@andrewdutoit9571]

@@dianamincher6479 We all lnow what the problem is...

[@1pasupaty]

Those rulers who changed hands r ruining everything bribes,kickbacks,bad service and corrupt governance.

[@firstclassatlanticflyer]

Those 707's are my favourites out of all!

[@GoodVideos4]

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.

[@WAL_DC-6B]

I just flew on a SAA A321 from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to Johannesburg (Nov. '23). It was actually a very nice flight with great service, good food (an actual hot meal), and on time arrival. It was the British Airways flight from Johannesburg to London-Heathrow that was somewhat of a disaster when BA didn't show my reservation (thank God(s) for having printed all my flight information and having it with me).

[@TedGiddingsplanes]

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 …

[@davidlibby5740]

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!

[@samuelodonovan]

09:42 two iconic aircraft right there

[@councilbrandon9068]

Hi, I just emailed your KZbin 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

[@TheLouisamite]

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

[@Starboard76]

Not much more of the old livery but tons more of the new (last) SAA.

[@lucienpetersen9010]

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

[@Kyle74747]

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

[@Starboard76]

Those were the days! The BEST Days!

[@n.f.n.r4075]

The good old days.. sigh

[@dianamincher6479]

Gold profits and weath reservation?

[@chaydavis8442]

For who?

[@Arnz01]

@@chaydavis8442 The old South Africa (best).

[@chaydavis8442]

Still haven't answered my question.

[@Arnz01]

@@chaydavis8442 All forward-thinking, driven South Africans - and those who devoted to the flag at 4:13.

[@janvandensteen]

All that stuffed up by ANC !

[@kevanhubbard9673]

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.

[@TheLouisamite]

At 9.52 that was a tricky landing ,,

[@witblitsfilm]

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....

[@southernafricanboy4148]

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

[@isabelbyrne2453]

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

[@tropicalblum]

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

[@Khan1986thekingisback]

My favorite country south africa

[@calvinpurdy2668]

And then the ANC arrived.

[@hillscanlon2717]

Just great everything worked very sad too see it now 😢

[@bentleybrabec]

15:07 butter landing

[@SyedAli-qz1cp]

I am born either late or early.

[@Buja3d]

Lebombo🇿🇦

[@ericcastle7296]

Say no more

[@jocelynharris-fx8ho]

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

[@doug9066]

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

[@dianamincher6479]

No into liquidation! Sell everything and pay debts!

[@OlafLouw]

Goeie ou dae

[@dianamincher6479]

Good footage but never profitable notwithstanding the gold sales!

[@1pasupaty]

Now they canceled the only flight to Mumbai inspite .of 88 percent occupancy.

[@eugeniopaganella4110]

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....

[@aircraftcrazy]

Was looking for the doomed Hindelburg

[@bquinn4533]

Fly the racist airline.

[@sakkievanzyl2983]

Nice

[@calvinpurdy2668]

Yes that's right, fly the racist, profitable, reliable, functional, well managed, respected airline. But then you and your type wouldn't understand that.

[@gabrielmare_288]

@@calvinpurdy2668So true! Back then it was like that but everything worked. Sad to see how it is now.

[@AndrewduToit-wl3tn]

True, SAA was a great supporter of motosport.

[@gmail.com00470]

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