SAA Museum

Ever wonder what it’s like to step back in time and experience the golden age of aviation? Here at the SAA Museum in Johannesburg, we’re not just looking at history, we’re breathing it. The SAA Museum isn’t your average dusty display of old relics. This is a “working museum,” fueled by the passion of volunteers, dedicated to sharing the magic of South Africa’s airline industry. Imagine touching a real Boeing 747, the same one that soared over the electrifying 1995 Rugby World Cup final. Here at the SAA Museum, you can explore its interior, discover the hidden crew quarters, and even learn the true color of the “black box.” The SAA Museum started its journey in 1973, sparked by a dedicated team who couldn’t bear to see the ZS-ASN Lockheed Lodestar, SAA’s oldest surviving aircraft, fade away. That single act of preservation ignited a flame that still burns bright today. At the SAA Museum, you’re invited to walk through history, from the earliest days of flight to the iconic jets that connected continents. Explore the only aviation museum in the world boasting two Boeing 747s. Dive into the stories of reclaimed aircraft, like the sun-baked Vickers Viking rescued from its perch above a Johannesburg service station. Explore exhibits of airline artifacts, uniforms, and models. Browse through a library with over a thousand aviation books. The SAA Museum is more than just a collection of aircraft; it’s a tribute to the ingenuity and passion that shaped South African aviation. Come, let the stories take flight.