Flights
Fly with South African Airways
Whether you're visiting South Africa for wildlife in Kruger and Hermanus, culture in Cape Town and Johannesburg, or wine in Stellenbosch, who better to start your Journey with than South African Airways? As the country's national carrier, its warm, friendly cabin crew are passionate about South Africa, not to mention this majestic country's natural beauty, people, music and food. And when you fly with South African Airways, not only will you benefit from great service and value, but its extensive internal network means you can easily tag on as many flights around the country as you like, so you can truly make the most of your time here.
About South African Airways
South African Airways (SAA) is the national airline of South Africa and prides itself on delivering a world-class experience every time with its renowned, warm South African hospitality. With daily direct flights from the award-winning Heathrow Terminal 2 to Johannesburg and easy onward connections, SAA has the largest route network within Southern Africa. And now with its new A330-300 operating between London and Johannesburg, its offering just got better. Expect state-of-the-art technology, new seats and personal HD touchscreens, all of which make flying with SAA a real pleasure.
Cabin Classes
Economy Class
South African Airways’ Economy Class cabin on the A330-300 is fitted with newly designed seats that offer personal space and generous legroom for travelling comfort. Seating in the Economy cabin remains in the popular 2-4-2 configuration, continuing to guarantee passengers are only ever one seat away from the aisle.
Economy customers also benefit from a generous baggage allowance, which includes one piece of luggage (up to 23kg), plus a free piece of sporting equipment.
Entertainment: With 10.1-inch high-resolution seat-back screens, passengers can enjoy the latest movies and TV shows on-demand. Each seat is also fitted with individual USB charging ports and access to shared PC power points.
Food and Beverage: The Economy in-flight menu offers delicious cuisine, served with excellent South African wines and a wide range of complimentary drinks.
Business Class
South African Airways’ Business Class cabin on the new A330s between London and Johannesburg is designed to make customers feel at home in their very own ‘living space’. Seating in Business Class cabins is in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, offering all passengers a forward-facing, lie-flat seat, increased privacy and direct access to the aisle.
Entertainment: To give passengers the best possible viewing experience, each seat is fitted with its own high-resolution, 15-inch screen. There is space for personal tablets to rest in the back of the seat and SAA has introduced an app where customers can download additional entertainment before their flight.
Food and Beverage: Passengers will experience restaurant-quality a la carte dining, served with award-winning South African wines.
Baggage
South African Airlines Baggage Allowance
Carry-on
Economy Class passengers are allowed one piece of 8kg hand luggage; Business Class passengers are allowed two pieces. Bags must be no bigger than 56x36x23cm. You are also entitled to carry one small personal item as well, such as a handbag, camera case or small laptop bag.
Checked
Checked baggage varies depending on the fare type. Economy passengers are allowed to check one piece of baggage up to 23kg, plus a free piece of sporting equipment. Those travelling in Business Class can take two pieces, up to 32kg per bag, plus an extra piece of sporting equipment. Please refer to the airline for more information.
In many countries no one bag can weigh more than 32kg by itself. This is for work-place health and safety reasons.Restricted or Dangerous Goods
The following items are not allowed in carry-on or checked bags:
- Explosives and fireworks, lithium batteries or pyrotechnics
- Flammable gasses, liquids and solids such as matches#
- Oxidising substances
- Pepper sprays or other disabling devices or materials
- Poisons, radioactive materials and corrosive materials
Be sure to call your airline in advance for carriage procedures and approval.
Always declare items in question to check-in staff at the airport. Check with your airline for specific information on dangerous goods.
Check-in
Check-in online or at the counter
Airport Check-in
At the airport you can either visit the self check-in kiosks and bag drop (where available) or the South African Airways check-in counter.
Online & Mobile Check-in
Checking in online or from your mobile with South African Airways couldn't be simpler. You can print or download your boarding pass to your phone from 24 hours and up to two hours before your flight departure. At this time you can also change or select your seat if you wish.
At the airport
- Proceed to check-in counter with passport and itinerary ready
- Go through security
- Continue through customs
- Check the gate number and flight status
- Sit down and get comfy!
Lounges
Sit back and relax in a South African Airways lounge
South African Airways has lounge facilities across the globe thanks to its inclusion in the Star Alliance, as well as two dedicated lounges located at OR Tambo International Airport.
London Heathrow Terminal 2 lounge – South African Airways & Air Canada
Both lounges at OR Tambo International Airport offer a tranquil and comfortable escape from the hustle of the airport and include internet access, a full service bar and hot food and snacks. And if you need to freshen up after a long flight into South Africa, the SAA Arrivals Lounge offers refreshing showers and a clothes pressing service.
Business Class passengers, Star Alliance Gold members and various SAA Voyager membership tiers have select access to lounges. Please refer to the airline for more details.
Frequent Flyer
South African Airways Loyalty Program
The South African Airways Voyager Frequent Flyer rewards program allows members to earn points when they fly with South African Airways, their affiliated airlines or shop with their partners including hotels, car hire companies, credit card programs and other retail companies. Accumulated points can be used towards flights, upgrades, accommodation, car hire and other benefits with South African Airways and their partners – within three calendar years.
The more you fly with South African Airways, the higher your Voyager status goes; you'll progress through Silver, Gold, Platinum and Lifetime Platinum tiers, each with more and more benefits.
