The largest airline in South Africa, South African Airways (SAA) is also the nation’s flag carrier. A member of the Star Alliance, SA flies non-stop to more than 40 destinations in 26 countries. These include points within South Africa, as well as destinations elsewhere in Africa, and in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, North America and South America. The airline also has codeshare agreements with about 15 airlines, including its low-cost domestic subsidiary Mango. South African Airways’ fleet features two different two-cabin configuration (Business Class and Economy Class, or First Class and Economy Class). The carrier’s hub is located at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport (JNB)
South African Airways Baggage
Carry-On Allowance: 1 Bag
All carry-on luggage must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. In addition to a personal item (overcoat, laptop, purse) passengers are allowed 1 carry-on bag that adheres to the following requirements:
Maximum Dimensions of Carry-on Luggage: 45 linear in/115 cm (length + width + height)
Maximum Weight of Carry-on Luggage: 18 lb/8 kg
REMINDER: Bulkhead seats do not have underseat storage during take-off and landing.
Read Bulkheads Explained
Checked Baggage Allowance
Passengers traveling to to/from Canada and the U.S.:
Baggage Allowance: 2 pieces
Maximum Dimensions: 62 linear inches/157 cm (length + width + height)
Maximum Weight for Economy Class passengers: 50 lb/23 kg
Maximum Weight for First and Business Class passengers: 70 lb/32 kg
*Star Alliance Gold and Voyager members are allowed additional baggage.
Passengers traveling in most other destinations:
Maximum Weight for Economy Class Passengers: 44 lb/20 kg total
Maximum Weight for Business Class Passengers: 66 lb/30 kg total
Maximum Weight for First Class Passengers: 88 lb/40 kg total
*Star Alliance Gold and Voyager members are allowed additional baggage.
IMPORTANT NOTE: There are some exceptions to the above information, depending on your destination and originating city. Be sure to check the South African Airways website or contact their Reservations desk for more details or if you have questions.
Excess, Overweight, Oversize Baggage Fees
If you have more bags than the permitted allowance or your bags exceed the weight or linear restrictions, you will be charged additional fees. Contact South African Airways directly for more information as this will vary by destination and departing airport.
Sports Equipment
Some sports equipment, because of size, fragility, or other handling requirements will be charged an excess fee even if the equipment replaces one of your allowed baggage pieces. Contact South African Airways directly for more information.
South African Airways Check-in
Does South African Airways have online check-in?
Yes, South African Airways’ online check-in allows you to check-in as early as 24 hours before your flight departs.
Check in now for your SAA flight.
What are the requirements for using online check-in?
Check-in opens 24 hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. Online check-in closes as follows:
Four hours for USA flights
Three hours for all other international/regional flights
Two hours for all domestic flights
You are traveling in a group that is less than 10 people.
You are not a special needs passenger (i.e. unaccompanied minor).
How do you check flight status for South African Airways?
For checking the flight status of your booking for South African Airways, go to the official website at https://www.flysaa.com/. Click on the tab of .
There are two sections in the page, named by Flight Number and by City. Select the tab of by ‘Flight Number’, enter the Flight Number, date of your journey, and search to get the flight details, or Click the tab of by ‘City’, input the Origin city, the Destination city, the date of journey, and search for the flight details.
Can I use online check-in if I have bags to check?
Yes. Simply go to the bag drop desks at your departure airport, where your bags will be tagged by Customer Service staff and sent to the aircraft. The locations of the bag drop desks will be listed on the summary page of online check-in and also on the passenger’s boarding pass.
Can I change/select my seat with online check-in?
Once a passenger has confirmed his seat using online check-in, he is no longer be able to make further seat changes. Please note that South African Airways has the right to change a passenger’s seat prior to travel.
How much time should I allot at the airport for check-in?
For domestic travel, passengers are required to check in at least one and a half hours before departure of flight.
For international travel, Passengers are required to check in at least two and a half hours before departure of flight (irrespective of class of travel). For flights to/from the United States, passengers are required to check in at least three hours before departure of flight.
Domestic flights close 30 minutes prior to departure. Regional and international flights close 50 minutes prior to departure for all classes of travel. Flights departing from Johannesburg to Luanda and Lagos close one hour prior to departure. Flights departing from Lagos close two hours prior to departure.
When do I need to be at the boarding gate?
Boarding gates close 15 minutes prior to departure on domestic flights and 20 minutes for international flights.
On Board Meals By South African Airways
Meals & drinks on South African Airways flights are included in the airfare.
In 2013 the following wines are served on South African Airways domestic, international and regional flights (and in business class lounges): Stellenrust Chenin Blanc 201, Cederberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Anura Brut Chardonnay/Pinot Noir 2009 and KWV Tawny Port N/V.
Business class
Business class differs between short and long haul flights. On a short haul the main difference between an economy and business class seat is that it’s slightly larger. On long haul flights you get a seat which can be folded back so that it’s flat, with the armrests folding down to increase the width of the “bed”. The seat can give you a massage, if you feel the need. There’s a pricavy screen, and on request you’ll be supplied with a pillow & duvet. There’s a power point for you to charge up your electronic equipment. Since December 2012 SAA have been providing noise cancelling headsets and an bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb/brush, shades & socks.
South African Airways Safety record
29 December 2012. South African Airways flight SA208 from Dakar to Johannesburg encountered air turbulence which caused serious but non-fatal injuries to two cabin attendants who fell.
16 April 2011. A South African Airways B737-800 was taxiing at OR Tambo International Airport for a flight to Dar es Salaam when a loud thud was heard, and on inspection it was established that the right axle of the nose landing gear had fractured. There were no injuries.
From 1970 to 2000 South African Airways flew some 1.6 million flights with 1 fatal accident (0.6 fatal events per million flights). The fatal flight occured on the 28th November 1987; when a South African Airways 747- 200 Combi (the Helderberg), flying from Chiang Kai Shek International Airport to to Johannesburg via Mauritius, crashed during flight over the Indian Ocean, between Taiwan and South Africa, apparently as a result of a fire in the main deck cargo area. All 19 crew and 141 passengers were killed.
Before 1970 there accidents included the following:
20 April 1968. Flight SA228 crashes near Windhoek, with the loss of 123 lives.
13 March 1967. SA406 crashes into the sea near East London, with all 25 people on board dying
6 March 1962. Only the pilot & first officer die when SA512 crashes near Seymour, Eastern Cape
8 April 1954. All 21 people on the plane die when SA201 crashes off the coast of Italy.
Flight routes
International Destination from Johannesburg:
Abu Dhabi, Antananarivo, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Mauritius
Mahe Island, Munich, New York, Perth, Sao Paulo, Singapore
Washington (sometimes via Accra), Zurich
SAA’s 27 New Destinations with Etihad Codeshare (via Abu Dhabi)
Abu Dhabi UAE, Bahrain Bahrain, Kuwait City Kuwait, Muscat Oman, Bangkok Thailand, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Singapore Singapore, Jeddah Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Saudi Arabia, Dammam Saudi Arabia, Male Maldives, Edinburgh UK, Manchester UK, Dublin Ireland, Jakarta Indonesia, Bangalore India, Mumbai India, Delhi India, Chennai India, Hyderabad India, Trivandrum India, Colombo Colombo, Seoul Korea, Amman Jordan, Narita Japan, Nagoya Japan
Regional:
Abidjan
Abuja (from Jan 2016)
Accra
Addis Ababa
Beira
Blantyre
Bulawayo
Cairo
Contonou
Dakar
Dar es Salaam
Douala
Entebbe
Gaborone
Kasane
Kigali
Kinsasha
Lagos
Libreville
Lilongwe
Livingstone
Luanda
Lubumbashi
Lusaka
Maputo
Maseru
Maun
Nairobi
Nampula
Ndola
Pemba
Pointe-Noire
Swaziland
Tete
Victoria Falls
Vilankulos
Walvis Bay
Windhoek
The airline will use the Abu Dhabi as its hub for the flight SA278, SA 279, EY603 and EY604.
Contact of South African Airways customer service
South African Airways Reservation
Telephone: 0861 FLYSAA (0861 359722) (0861 606 606)
Telephone: **27 11 978 5313 (International)
USA – Reservations
Telephone: 1-800-722-9675
Fax: 1-954-769-5079
UK – Reservations
Telephone: 0871 722 1111*
Fax: 0845 409 4590
UAE – Reservations
Telephone: 04/ 3970 766
Fax: 04/ 3970 549
Customer Care
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +27 11 978 2888
Fax: +27 11 978 1386
Cape Town Office
1st Floor
ICON building,
Cnr. Hans Strijdom and Long Streets
Cape Town
Telephone: 0861 606 606
Fax: 021 424 3777
Cargo: 021 936 3333
Reservation: 021 936 1111
Baggage Help: 011 978 3733
Cape Town International Airport
Phone: 011 978 1234 / 0860003145
Johannesburg Office
4 Chaplin Road
Cnr Melville Road
Illovo
Johannesburg
Telephone: +27 11 537 2001
Fax: +27 11 978 9414
Reservations: 011 978 1111
Customer Care: 011 978 2888
Cargo: 011 978 1119
Baggage Help: 011 978 3733
