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- The fare is based on the child's age on the date of travel.
- More detailed information can be found here Traveling with children
- Most airlines will let infants travel with their parent(s) for free. However some airlines will charge up to 10% of the adult ticket price. Click on 'Price Breakdown' to find out more.
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- The fare is based on the child's age on the date of travel.
- More detailed information can be found here Traveling with children
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About South African Airways
South African Airways (SAA) is the national flag carrier of South Africa with its hub at OR Tambo International Airport, Gauteng, South Africa.
South African Airways flies to many destinations including Abidjan, Abu Dhabi, Accra, Alexander Bay, Amsterdam, Athens, Atlanta, Bangkok, Beijing, Blantyre, Bloemfontein, Brazzaville, Brussels, Buenos Aires, Dakar, Douala, Dubai, Entebbe, East London, Frankfurt, Francistown, Gaborone, Hamburg, Harare, Mahe, Madrid, Miami, Mumbai, Munich, Nairobi and many others.
South African Airways is a member of Star Alliance. South African Airways also has codeshare agreements with Air China, Air Mauritius, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, El Al, Emirates, Etihad Airways and Saudia. South African Airways offers flights to safari parks such as Kruger National park, find out more about safari flights here.
South African Airways Frequent Flyer Program
South African Airways offers regular passengers with the airline a frequent flyer programme, Voyager, to reward travellers whereby they can redeem miles on a choice of flights, upgrades and car rental.
SAA is the official airline of the Association of Tennis Professionals. SAA owns Mango, a low cost domestic airline, and has established links with Airlink and South African Express. It currently operates as a member of the Star Alliance.
South African Airways Check-In
Online Check-In
Online check-in for South African Airways flights opens 24 hours before flight departure time and closes 90 minutes before flight departure time on domestic flights and 120 minutes before international flights. You can check-in online by entering your flight details on the South African Airways online check-in page
Checked Baggage
South African Airways recommend checking in 90 minutes before flight departure time for domestic flights, two and a half hours before for international flights and three hours before for flights from Johannesburg to the US.
South African Airways Baggage
Business Class |
Economy Class |
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| Domestic (Within South Africa) |
1 piece at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62inches) per piece
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1 piece at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece | ||
| Worldwide – USA / Canada |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
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2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
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| Between Africa and Europe / UK |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
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1 piece at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
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| From Malawi/Zambia/Zimbabwe and Europe/UK |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
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2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
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| From UK to Malawi/Zambia/Zimbabwe |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
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2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
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| Between Africa and Asia / Japan - except BJS or via BJS |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
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2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
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| Between Africa and New Zealand |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
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1 piece at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb)
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| Between Africa and Middle East. Also valid on SA code-share flights and where EY is the operating carrier. |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
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2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
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2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece | 2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece | ||
| Within Africa |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32kg (70lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
2 pieces at a maximum of 23kg (50lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
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| Between South Africa and Lagos/Abuja |
3 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
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3 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
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| Between South America and Australia / New Zealand except for Brazil |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
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2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
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| Between South America, and Africa / Asia / Japan except for Brazil and Argentina- except BJS or via BJS |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
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| Between Africa / South America – BJS or via BJS to Asia / Japan |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
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1 piece at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
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| Between Argentina - Africa |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
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2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
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| Between Argentina - Asia / Japan- except BJS or via BJS |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
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| Between Brazil - Africa / Asia / Japan / Australia - except BJS or via BJS |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
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| Between Brazil - Europe & USA |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
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| Between Australia and the Middle East |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
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South African Airways News
9th September 2018
South African Airways add extra flights to Angola
Starting today, South African Airways has added two extra flights a week flying from South Africa to Angola. The airline will use its Airbus A320 to operate the additional services which fly between its hub airport at Johannesburg International Airport (JNB) and Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport, Luanda. South African Airways has now doubled the number of times it flies this route, extending it from twice a week to four times a week.
A representative from South African Airways said that this is part of the airlines wider strategy of covering more countries in Africa at a higher frequency.
21st June 2018
Mango Airlines, SA Express and South African Airways to all operate as South African Airways?
Mango Airlines, SA Express and South African Airways are to merge into one airline, presumably under the name of the biggest airline of the three, South African Airways. Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan announced that the state has come to a decision on the merger due all three airlines flying the same routes around South Africa. The state has come to the conclusion that not only will it be more economically viable to run as one airline, but services will be a lot more efficient, as all the great minds from each individual airlines can come together as one.
Gordhan also mentioned that he everyone understands that doing this is a risk. He said that merging the three airlines is going to present some tough times and challenges, but ultimately, it's a good move for South African Airways and South Africa will only benefit from it in the long run.
7th June 2018
AirHelp rank South African Airways as the 5th best airline in the world
Flight compensation company, AirHelp, have released the results of their annual AirHelp score rating, which is an algorithm that rates airlines based on their quality of service, punctuality rate and claim processing (how the airline deals with customer complaints).
South African Airways were named the 5th best airline in the world according to AirHelp. South African Airways were given an 8.69 claim processing score, an 85% punctuality rate and a score of 8 for quality of service. This brings their overall score to an impressive 8.31.
31st May 2018
Exclusive: South African Airways to get $400 million capital injection after plea for cash - CEO
South Africa has promised another 5 billion rand ($400 million) capital injection to help its struggling state airline meet urgent financial obligations, the CEO of South African Airways (SAA) said on Thursday.
SAA has not generated a profit since 2011 and has already received state guarantees totaling nearly 20 billion rand. It needs the money to help pay debts and prop up the business as it implements a turnaround plan.
The promise of more government cash comes after SAA Chief Executive Vuyani Jarana told parliament in April that the firm needed the capital injection “now”.
“Government has committed to inject another 5 billion rand into SAA. Part of that 5 billion rand we will repay some of the creditors, suppliers, then the balance will support us for working capital until around October/November,” Jarana told Reuters in an interview.
The Treasury said it would follow its normal budgetary process, which entails seeking cabinet approval.
“The outcome of this process is expected to be finalised in time for the 2018 MTBPS (Medium Term Budget Policy Statement),” the Treasury said.
The MTBPS is usually presented to parliament in October.
Jarana said that while waiting for the funds, the company would negotiate for some breathing space with lenders.
“If Treasury needs a certain period of time to do this, lets say up to September, between now and then, we are negotiating with lenders to give us a bridging facility on the back of that commitment,” he said.
SAA is regularly cited by ratings agencies as a drain on the government purse, but the Treasury is hopeful that new executive leadership led by Jarana, a former executive at telecoms company Vodacom, would return the airline to profitability.
The government has said that SAA needs an equity partner to pump money into the company to address its liquidity crisis and to help with the implementation of a turnaround plan.
The airline was looking at several measures to cut costs and Jurana said reducing the current workforce of about 10,000 people was “inevitable”.
“Whether it’s pilots, cabin crew, administration, we are going to rationalize the workforce. It’s an unavoidable thing. We have been talking to trade unions about how we work together,” Jarana said.
“The first priority for me is job preservation, how do you find alternative jobs for people as a starting point before you go into the hard issues of retrenchments.”
Jarana said the company hopes to break even in three years time and “there onwards, everything else equal, it will be able to start paying for its own operations in terms of positive cash flows.”
5th October 2017
SAA agrees to hire recovery expert
State airline in talks to appoint UK’s Peter Davies to help with restructuring.
South African Airways has agreed to hire a restructuring expert to help turn around the state-owned airline and meet conditions laid down by lenders to roll over debt, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Incoming chief executive officer Vuyani Jarana met with British industry veteran Peter Davies last month and he agreed to help try to return SAA to profit, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the plans are private. Davies is a former CEO of European airlines including Air Malta and Brussels Airlines and currently runs London-based consultancy Airline Management Group.
“We are finalising steps that will lead to the appointment of a chief restructuring officer,” SAA spokesman Tlali Tlali said in emailed comments. “No announcement on the identity of the candidate can be made before we attend and resolve the outstanding issues.”
Davies didn’t immediately respond to a phone call and email seeking comment.
The appointment of a strong management team is one of several conditions lenders have laid down to extend talks on loan repayments beyond Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba’s mid-term budget update in October, the people said. One of those was a payment of R700 million ($51.5 million) to Citigroup as part of R1.8 billion of debt due to the US bank by the end of September, which was released by the National Treasury along with funds for working capital on Friday.
Treasury confirmed the payment of R700 million to Citigroup and directed further questions to SAA.
Debt negotiations
A group of South African lenders led by Nedbank Group — and including FirstRand, Standard Bank Group, Barclays Africa Group and Investec Plc — are prepared to negotiate a refinancing of debt through March 2019, the people said. In his mid-term budget update, Gigaba is expected to announce proposals intended to make SAA break even by about that date, including details of a recapitalisation plan, they said.
Nedbank, which is leading the talks, doesn’t provide details of its banking relationships with its clients, a spokesman said in an emailed response to questions.
SAA is one of several South African state-owned companies in need of urgent funding and the government has said it needs a fresh management approach to stay in operation. The carrier hasn’t made a profit since 2011 and has been surviving off debt backed by state guarantees. Jarana will become the company’s first permanent CEO since 2015 when he joins from wireless carrier Vodacom Group on November 1. The Treasury has considered selling part or all of its R12 billion stake in phone company Telkom to help finance a bailout.
Cutting routes
SAA said last week it would reduce flights to the South African cities of Port Elizabeth and East London as part of its turnaround plan. The carrier will also scale back routes to Luanda, the capital of Angola, and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The airline is also working toward repatriating as much as $1 billion from Angola, Zimbabwe and Nigeria to help strengthen the balance sheet, according to the people. Money is trapped in those countries after exports collapsed leading to a shortage of hard currency.
Jarana brings private-sector experience from his time at Vodacom and Davies has been identified due to his aviation expertise, one of the people said.
Davies took over Air Malta when it was making an annual loss of 70 million euros ($82 million) and made the airline profitable, according to his LinkedIn page. He also started Caribbean Airlines in Trinidad and Tobago and made that carrier profitable as well.
SAA has had seven permanent or temporary CEOs since 2010. Chairwoman Duduzile Myeni, a former schoolteacher who also heads President Jacob Zuma’s charitable foundation, has been on the airline’s board since 2009 and acted as the board’s chair until her permanent appointment in 2015. Her contract was renewed for a year in September 2016.
29th September 2017
New CEO of SAA to start role in November
South African Airways (SAA) has announced the start date of its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the airline's headquarters, Airways Park, Johannesburg, as November 1, 2017.
“We are pleased to announce that the start date of our new CEO, Mr Vuyani Jarana has been determined as 1 November 2017. The decision follows the conclusion of negotiations with his current employer on his release date,” said SAA Spokesperson Tlali Tlali.
The appointment of Jarana will bring stability at the executive tier of the airline’s leadership. This will also enable the acting CEO, Musa Zwane, to return to the maintenance subsidiary, SAA Technical, where he is a full time chief executive.
One of Jarana’s major responsibilities will be to ensure the effective implementation of SAA’s recently finalised five-year corporate plan. SAA must return to commercial sustainability in the shortest time possible
The Board of Directors will support Jarana and his executive team in every way possible and will exercise fiduciary responsibilities on SAA in accordance with the law and in line with the expectations of the shareholder.
“This is an important step forward that will boost staff morale and instill confidence in our business from suppliers, customers and stakeholders at large,” concluded Tlali.
Jarana is appointed on a five-year contract.
April 2017
South African Airways announced it had received a 4-star ranking, in both economy and business class for the 15th consecutive year.
The ranking was done by aviation experts Skytrax, whose name is associated with Quality Excellence throughout the world by the air transport industry, after detailed product and service standards audits throughout the airline, and included SAA’s new Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The process is not connected to any customer ratings. A 4-Star Airline rating signifies airlines providing a good standard of product and staff service across all travel categories, including cabin seating, safety standards, cabin cleanliness, comfort amenities, catering, tax-free sales, reading materials, in-flight entertainment, and staff service.
South African Airways and Ethiopian Airlines expanded the code-share agreeement
The two airlines signed on 1st October 2016 by adding Cape Town, Durban and Toronto (Canada) as additional destinations to the existing code-share flights. Besides Toronto as the additional destination on offer, the expanded code share now also offers a direct service between Addis Ababa to both Cape Town and Durban. These routes will be operated by Ethiopian Airlines, with SAA as the marketing carrier. The two African airlines already code-share from Addis Abba, the Ethiopian capital to Johannesburg and from Addis Ababa to Bamako in Mali with all these flights operated by Ethiopian aircraft.
South African Airways Popular Routes
London 
Johannesburg
Johannesburg Cape Town
Beijing Cape Town
Johannesburg Mauritius
Cape Town Mauritius
Johannesburg Port Elizabeth
South African Airways Fleet
Airbus A319-132
Airbus A330-200
Airbus A320-232
Airbus A340-300
Airbus A340-600
Boeing 737-800
South African Airways Hub Airport
O.R. Tambo International Airport
O.R. Tambo International Airport is a major international airport in Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa and is the hub airport for South African Airways.
The airport has two runways and can handle nearly 20 million passengers every year. Other airlines which fly to and from O.R. Tambo International Airport include Air Botswana, Air China, Air France, Air Seycelles, EgyptAir, EL Al, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, South African Airways, Kulula, Singapore Airlines and Saudia. This airport is also featured on our best airports for shopping blog, be sure to check it out!
Star Alliance is the leading global airline network, which has 27 member airlines. Star Alliance was founded in 1997 with the five founding airlines: Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International, Air Canada, Lufthansa and United Airlines. The alliance has grown considerably now to airlines which fly to 1,321 airports and 193 countries, carrying 637 million passengers every year!
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