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South African Airways

South Africa's flag carrier, flying from Johannesburg and Cape Town

  • South AfricaCountry
  • SAIATA Code
  • SAAICAO Code
  • Star AllianceAlliance
  • Full-ServiceAirline Type

Guide reviewed

About South African Airways

South African Airways (SAA) is South Africa’s national airline and a Star Alliance member, flying from Johannesburg and Cape Town across southern and West Africa and to Perth and São Paulo. Economy includes an 8 kg cabin bag, and the airline added Johannesburg–George in April 2026 as it rebuilds its network. This guide covers baggage, power bank rules, travelling with children, Voyager and how SAA compares with Kenya Airways and Ethiopian.

SAA was founded in 1934 and was the first African airline to join Star Alliance. After pausing flights in 2020, it restarted in September 2021 and has been steadily rebuilding its domestic, regional and long-haul routes.

South African Airways flights to Johannesburg
Photo: Simon Hurry / Unsplash

Power Bank Rules on SAA

SAA follows the ICAO power bank rules in force worldwide since 27 March 2026:

  • A maximum of two power banks per passenger, in cabin baggage only.
  • Up to 100 Wh without approval; 100–160 Wh only with the airline’s approval.
  • No charging power banks, or devices from them, during the flight.
  • Never pack power banks in checked bags.

Travelling with Children to South Africa

South Africa has specific document rules for minors, so check what you need, such as birth certificates or parental consent letters, before you fly. Infants under two travel on an adult’s lap.

Check-In at O. R. Tambo

Online check-in is available on the website and app. O. R. Tambo is large and busy, so allow three hours for international flights and two for domestic ones.

How to Find Cheap Flights to South Africa

South African Airways flights to Cape Town
Photo: Jaman Asad / Unsplash
  • Avoid December and January, the peak summer season.
  • Compare Johannesburg and Cape Town arrivals.
  • Book safari trips early.
  • Look at Star Alliance partners for connections from Europe and the US.
  • Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see SAA next to Kenya Airways, Ethiopian and others.

SAA vs Kenya Airways vs Ethiopian

Three African airlines with different strengths.

SAAKenya AirwaysEthiopian
HubJohannesburgNairobiAddis Ababa
AllianceStar AllianceSkyTeamStar Alliance
Economy cabin bag8 kgCheck your fare7 kg
Best forSouthern AfricaEast AfricaPan-African connections

See our Kenya Airways guide and Ethiopian Airlines guide to compare.

Arriving in Johannesburg

O. R. Tambo is about 25 km from Sandton. The Gautrain links the airport with Sandton and Pretoria.

You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.

Is South African Airways a Good Airline?

Yes. SAA offers a solid regional network, a generous 8 kg cabin allowance and Star Alliance benefits, and it is steadily rebuilding its routes.

For more options, see our airline guides and the FlightSelects travel blog.

Facts checked in October 2026 against Time Out on SAA’s fleet and new routes and ICAO’s 2026 power bank rules. Rules change, so check the official South African Airways website before you travel.

Star Alliance & Airline Partnerships

SAA joined Star Alliance in 2006, the first African airline to do so. You can connect in Johannesburg onto partners such as Lufthansa, Ethiopian and Turkish Airlines on one ticket and earn Voyager miles across the alliance.

Learn more about Star Alliance

Codeshare & Interline Partnerships

SAA codeshares with Star Alliance and regional partners to extend its network across Africa and to Europe, the Americas and Asia.

Hubs & Focus Cities

Johannesburg O. R. Tambo International (JNB) is SAA's main hub, and Cape Town International (CPT) is its secondary hub.

Popular South African Airways Routes

SAA's busiest routes link Johannesburg with Cape Town and Durban, regional cities such as Harare, Lusaka, Accra and Lagos, and long-haul with Perth and São Paulo. Johannesburg–George was added in April 2026 as SAA rebuilds its network. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.

Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.

South African Airways Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

SAA sells several fare levels in Economy and Business. The cheapest fares carry the highest change and cancellation fees, while flexible fares let you change or cancel more easily.

When you change, you pay any difference in fare plus any fee for your fare. Check the fare conditions shown when you book.

  • Discounted fares Change and cancellation fees apply.
  • Flexible Economy fares Easier changes and refunds.
  • Business The most flexible conditions.
  • Flights to or from the USA You can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if you booked at least 7 days before departure.
  • How to change or cancel Use Manage booking on flysaa.com or contact SAA.

South African Airways Seat Selection & Additional Services

You can choose seats when booking or later in Manage booking. Business Class passengers get priority check-in and boarding, lounge access in Johannesburg and Cape Town, and lie-flat seats on SAA's long-haul Airbus aircraft.

SAA's domestic and regional flights connect easily with its long-haul routes and with Star Alliance partners at Johannesburg.

  • Seat selection When booking or in Manage booking.
  • Business Class Lie-flat seats on long-haul aircraft and lounge access.
  • On board South African wines are served.
  • Lounges SAA lounges in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
  • Extra baggage Cheaper when added before travel.
  • Special assistance Request wheelchairs and other help in advance.

South African Airways Baggage Allowance

SAA allows Economy passengers one cabin bag of up to 8 kg and 56 × 36 × 23 cm plus a small personal item, and Business passengers two 8 kg bags. Checked baggage in Economy is usually one 23 kg bag on intercontinental routes, with more on some regional routes, and Business includes two bags of 32 kg.

Each checked bag must not exceed 158 cm in total dimensions, and bags over 32 kg must go as cargo. Your exact allowance is shown on your ticket.

  • Carry-on (Economy) 1 bag up to 8 kg and 56 × 36 × 23 cm, plus a personal item.
  • Carry-on (Business) 2 bags up to 8 kg each, plus a personal item.
  • Economy Usually 1 bag of 23 kg on intercontinental routes; allowance varies on regional routes.
  • Business 2 bags of 32 kg each.
  • Maximum bag size 158 cm total; bags over 32 kg must travel as cargo.

Voyager: South African Airways Loyalty Programme

Voyager is SAA's loyalty programme. You earn miles on SAA and Star Alliance flights and with partners, and redeem them for award flights and upgrades.

It has five tiers: Blue, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Lifetime Platinum.

  • Blue Entry level for all members.
  • Silver Priority services and Star Alliance Silver status.
  • Gold Lounge access, extra baggage and Star Alliance Gold status.
  • Platinum The top earned tier with the highest priority.
  • Lifetime Platinum Permanent top status for the most loyal members.
  • Star Alliance Earn and redeem miles across Star Alliance.
Join or log in on the South African Airways website

South African Airways: Frequently Asked Questions

01Where is South African Airways headquartered?

The airline is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa.

02When was South African Airways founded?

The airline was founded in 1934.

03Is South African Airways still flying?

Yes. After business rescue and a pause in flights in 2020, SAA restarted in September 2021 and has since rebuilt its domestic, regional and long-haul network.

04What is SAA's carry-on allowance?

Economy passengers can bring one cabin bag of up to 8 kg plus a small personal item; Business passengers can bring two 8 kg bags.

05What are South African Airways' checked baggage rules?

On South African Airways, each checked bag must not exceed 158 cm in total dimensions, and bags over 32 kg must go as cargo. Your exact allowance is shown on your ticket.

06Can I change or cancel a South African Airways flight?

SAA sells several fare levels in Economy and Business. The cheapest fares carry the highest change and cancellation fees, while flexible fares let you change or cancel more easily. When you change, you pay any difference in fare plus any fee for your fare.

07Is South African Airways in an airline alliance?

Yes. SAA joined Star Alliance in 2006, the first African airline to do so. You can connect in Johannesburg onto partners such as Lufthansa, Ethiopian and Turkish Airlines on one ticket and earn Voyager miles across the alliance.

08What are South African Airways' IATA and ICAO codes?

South African Airways' IATA code is SA and its ICAO code is SAA. You'll see the IATA code (SA) in flight numbers and on boarding passes.

09Where is South African Airways' main hub?

South African Airways' main hub is Johannesburg (JNB). It also flies from Cape Town (CPT).

10What is South African Airways' frequent flyer programme?

Voyager is SAA's loyalty programme. You earn miles on SAA and Star Alliance flights and with partners, and redeem them for award flights and upgrades.

South African Airways, its logo and trademarks are the property of South African Airways SOC Ltd and are used for identification and informational purposes only. FlightSelects is not affiliated with or endorsed by South African Airways unless expressly stated. FlightSelects may earn a commission when you book through partner links, at no extra cost to you.