SAA, noun

/es eɪ ˈeɪ/
Forms:
Also S.A.A.
Origin:
Initial letters of South African Airways.
The largest commercial airline, the national carrier. Also attributive. See also SATS.
1940 [see SAAF].
1951 Rand Daily Mail 2 Nov. 9Although statistics show that they are the lowest-paid airline men in the world, S.A.A. pilots have an international reputation for ‘above the average’ flying ability.
1958 Rand Daily Mail 4 Mar. 9At the airport. Departures. S.A.A: To Durban 7.45. a.m.
1971 Personality 4 June 99I rather think that SAA will lose the battle to have the new aircraft termed 747 or superjet rather than jumbo.
1984 S. Afr. Panorama Feb. 2SAA was the first airline in the world to incorporate its automated reservations system into a single centralised computer. Its SAAFARI system (South African Airways Fully Automated Reservations Installation) incorporates not only all cities on SAA’s domestic route network, but practically all stations worldwide.
1987 J. Clarke Like It Was 105In February 1934..the Government named the enterprise South African Airways...S.A.A. then began operating the first regular over-the-border flights from Rand Airport as far north as Kisumu, Kenya.
1990 C. Rogers in Style Oct. 70When you come upon a load of men with Jumbo boeps, trackies and takkies, drip-dry and crimp, all clutching clutch bags, you’re back in South Africa even before you put your feet on SAA.
The largest commercial airline, the national carrier. Also attributive.
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acronyms
S.A., nounn.2SAAF, nounn.
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