Boeing 737-800

Boeing 737-800

Boeing 737-800 (2000)

SAA’s first Boeing 737-800 arrived in July 2000, 21 airliners were delivered to SAA. Plans to replace them from 2008 with A320’s have fallen through and the -800’s still serve SAA faithfully. Reports indicate that SAA have an option for a further 19 737 NG (700/800/900) aircraft although as yet this has not been exercised. There is a RFP out to both Boeing and Airbus for future fleet upgrades and time will tell which manufacturer will be the preferred one.

Normal passenger load: up to 157

ZS-SJA up to and including ZS-SJV excluding ZS-SJQ (there is no such registration due to the similarity between the letter O and Q which could cause confusion when viewed) and the 4 aircraft that belong to Mango.

From the introduction of the Boeing 737-800 and the later Airbuses none of the aircraft have carried personal names.

Modelling

The following kits have been produced over the years that will allow the modeller to build a model of this aircraft.

Revell have a number of 1/144^th scale Boeing 737-800 kits in their range. Other than the decal options they are the same model.

Welsh Models is producing conversion kit which consists of a new fuselage moulding to convert their standard -700 (BBJ) model to a -800. 

Colours

The aircraft were delivered in standard post 1997 colours consisting of a white fuselage with South African logos and tail colours. The wing tip fins have the national flag colours on them. The first 4 aircraft had a different tail design with the blue section being far larger than normal but this was eventually changed to the now standard design. This was due to an inadvertent mistake during painting and the use of the B737-200 dimensions for the layouts (the B737-200 has a smaller vertical fin).  The remainder of the fleet were painted with wider sections of colour. Eventually the first four aircraft had their tail colours repainted to match the remainder of the B737-800 fleet. The wingtip fins have the national colours on them.

Aircraft type was carried on rear fuselage just forward of rear door and registration preceded the national flag level with the bottom of the rear door.

A single aircraft was finished for a short period in a special advertising scheme for VISA. She has since been returned to standard colours.

After SAA membership of the Star Alliance group was approved in 2006 one aircraft was painted in the Star Alliance colours. The rest of the fleet rest had a small Star Alliance logo added to them between the forward entrance door and the cockpit windows.

Visa

Star Alliance

Decals 

144 South African 737-800's, Early Tail Design ZS-SJA-D Only
144 South African 737-800's, Later Tail Design ZS-SJE and Later