South African AirwaysSA

South African Airways (SAA) is the flag carrier of South Africa and one of Africa's oldest airlines, founded in 1934. Headquartered at O.R. Tambo International Airport near Johannesburg, SAA operates a network connecting South Africa to regional African destinations, South America, Australia, and (soon) North America and Europe.

SAA underwent business rescue proceedings from December 2019 to April 2021, emerging as a restructured airline. The carrier resumed domestic operations in September 2021 and has steadily rebuilt its network since then. In 2023, SAA reported its first profit since 2012, becoming self-sustaining without government financial support. The airline declared itself debt-free in October 2024.

As a founding member of Star Alliance (joined 2006), SAA offers seamless connectivity through partner airlines including United, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and Air Canada. The airline currently operates a fleet of approximately 18 aircraft, including Airbus A330-300s, A340-300s, and A320s for regional and domestic services.

Carry-On Allowance

Cabin Bag (all passengers):

• Dimensions: 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22" x 14" x 9") including handles and wheels
• Must fit under the seat or in overhead compartment

Class	Pieces	Weight Limit
Economy	1 piece	8 kg (18 lbs)
Business	2 pieces	8 kg (18 lbs) each
First	2 pieces	8 kg (18 lbs) each

Checked Baggage

Domestic Flights (within South Africa):

Class	Pieces	Combined Weight
Economy	1 piece	20 kg (44 lbs)
Business	2 pieces	30 kg (66 lbs)
First	2 pieces	40 kg (88 lbs)

International & Regional Flights:

Class	Pieces	Weight per Piece
Economy	1 piece	23 kg (50 lbs)
Business	2 pieces	32 kg (70 lbs) each

Maximum Dimensions: 158 cm / 62 inches (linear: length + width + height)

Excess Baggage Fees

SAA charges excess baggage fees for:

• Additional pieces beyond allowance
• Overweight pieces (up to 32 kg maximum)
• Oversized pieces (up to 203 cm / 80 inches)

Fees vary by route zone and are charged per piece. If a bag exceeds 32 kg, it must be shipped as cargo.

Typical Excess Fees:

• Domestic: ZAR 150-300 per kg (~$8-17 USD)
• Regional Africa: ZAR 200-500 per kg (~$11-28 USD)
• International: Charged in USD, typically $100-400 per excess piece

Note: If baggage is both overweight AND oversized, two separate fees apply.

Voyager Elite Baggage Benefits

Status	Additional Allowance
Silver	+5 kg
Gold	+10 kg
Platinum	+15 kg

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag
Skis/snowboards	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag
Bicycle	Standard bag fee	Must be boxed
Surfboard	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag
Car seat	Free	Does not count toward allowance
Stroller	Free	Gate-check available
Wheelchair	Free	Priority handling
Pet in cabin	ZAR 300 (~$17)	Container must fit under seat

Fees as of January 2025. Verify at flysaa.com/baggage before traveling.

Business Class

A330-300 (Long-haul):

• Seat: Thompson Aero VantageXL in 1-2-1 configuration
• Pitch: 45" (114 cm) with 180-degree lie-flat bed
• Width: 20-24" (51-61 cm)
• Features: Direct aisle access for all passengers, 15" HD touchscreen, AC power outlet, USB charging
• Amenities: Pillow, blanket, mattress pad, Aigner-branded amenity kit (socks, eyeshade, toothbrush, lip balm)

A340-300 (Long-haul):

• Seat: Lie-flat bed configuration
• Pitch: 73" (185 cm) fully extended
• Seats: 38 Business Class seats
• Features: Personal entertainment screen, onboard Wi-Fi, gourmet dining

Dining: Multi-course meals featuring South African cuisine, paired with premium South African wines. Menus refresh quarterly with locally sourced ingredients.

Economy Class

A330-300 (Long-haul):

• Pitch: 31-32" (79-81 cm)
• Width: 18" (46 cm)
• Seats: Slimline design with adjustable headrests
• Entertainment: 10" personal touchscreen, USB charging at every seat, shared AC power outlets
• Amenities: Complimentary amenity kit (socks, eyeshade, toothbrush)

A320 (Domestic/Regional):

• Pitch: 30-32" (76-81 cm)
• Configuration: 3-3 seating
• Standard economy service on shorter routes

Meals:

• International flights: Three-course meal with salad starter, complimentary South African wines and beverages
• Domestic flights: Sandwiches, wraps, or picnic baskets depending on flight time
• Special meals: Order at least 24 hours in advance (48 hours for Kosher meals)
• Children: Kids' meals and activity packs available upon request

Entertainment:

• On-demand system with movies, TV shows, music, and games
• Kids' entertainment channels
• Baby bassinets available on request (pre-book recommended)

Booking:

• Book directly on flysaa.com for better service during disruptions
• Compare total cost including baggage when booking vs competitors
• Consider Business Class for long-haul routes to Perth and Sao Paulo for the lie-flat beds
• Choose the A330-300 over A340-300 for Business Class (newer 1-2-1 product)

At the Airport:

• JNB can be congested; arrive 3 hours before international flights
• Use the SAA app for mobile boarding passes and skip queues
• Voyager Silver and above get lounge access at JNB
• Priority check-in lanes available for Business and elite members

Upgrades:

• Upgrade awards available through Voyager program
• Space-available upgrades possible at check-in when space permits
• Elite members have best upgrade priority

Earning Miles:

• Join Voyager before your first flight to earn from day one
• Credit Star Alliance partner flights to Voyager for tier status
• Check for bonus mile promotions on specific routes
• Use partner earning opportunities (hotels, car rentals)

Common Issues:

• Online check-in not available for Sao Paulo route (check in at airport)
• Weigh luggage before arrival; SAA enforces weight limits
• Allow extra time for connections at JNB due to security screenings

Money-Saving Tips:

• Book early for best fares on popular routes like JNB-CPT
• Voyager miles never expire with account activity
• Consider positioning flights to/from JNB for international connections
• South African wines included in all cabins (no need to pre-purchase)