South African Airways

South African Airways was founded in 1934 by South African Government after the acquisition of Union Airways. It has its headquarters in Airways Park at OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. South African Airways is the flag carrier and the largest airline of South Africa. The hub of South African Airways is at the OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport . South African Airways operates to 56 destinations worldwide coupled with South Africa Express, SA Airlink, and Mango, its low-cost airline. The airline is a member of the Star Alliance. It has 57 aircraft in its fleet consisting of Airbus and Boeing. South African Airways has codesharing agreements with Air Canada, Air China, Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, Air Seychelles, All Nippon Airways, Avianca Brazil, Egypt Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Mango, RwandAir and other airlines.?Lagos, Harare, Lusaka, Johannesburg, Cape Town are some of the cities South African Airways operates flights.

Routes South Africa Airways Operates Flights On

The airline operates flights to more 56 domestic, regional and international destinations worldwide. Domestic and international flights are operated from its base at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg. Domestic destinations are operated by South African Airways to Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria. South African Airways flies to over 56 destinations in 26 countries in Africa, Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Australia. SAAirways along with Air China, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, Qantas and Qatar Airways is one of the few airlines to have operated flights to all six inhabited continents. From its hub at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, it operates direct flights to international destinations like Kimberley, Mthatha, Nelspruit, Phalaborwa, Abidjan, Accra, Brazzaville, Dakar, Daa er Salaam, Douala, Entebbe, Harare, Kinshasa, Lagos, Libreville, Lilongwe, Munich, Frankfurt, Livingstone, Luanda, Lusaka, Maputo, Mauritius, Nairobi, Ndola, Pointe Noire, Windhoek, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, New York, Perth, Sao Paulo, and Washington.

Popular Routes	Flight Fares ($) Round Trip
Lagos	589
Abuja	533
Accra	1240
Dakar	718
Luanda	475
London	1296
Munich	1062
Manchester	1187
New York	2005
Washington	1970

South African Airways Fleet

South Africa Airways has in its fleet 48 Airbus and 9 Boeing 737 aircraft. ?The "Flying Springbok" logo was the logo of the airline before it was discontinued in 1997. The new livery consists of South African written on the fuselage and the tail painted in the South African flag colours. South African Airways operates the Airbus A319-100, Airbus A320-200 and Boeing 737-800 on its domestic and regional routes.

Travel Packages Offered by South African Airways

Business and Economy Class cabins are offered on the South African Airways flights. The frequent flyer program of South African Airways is called Voyager. The program is also used by South African Airlink, South African Express Airways and Swaziland Airlink, who have an alliance with SAA, and 32 other airlines. Voyager consists of five tiers. Each tier of Blue, Silver,?Gold, Platinum and Lifetime Platinum can be enjoyed by members. Members can redeem Miles accrued through flights, upgrades, car rental and spas.

Special Services Offered by South African Airways

Business Class and Economy Class are available aboard aircraft of the South African Airways.?Passengers in the Business and Economy Class cabin receive a welcome pack, a duvet, pillow and a personal touchscreen monitor for in-flight audio/video entertainment. Sawubona, the in-flight magazine is available for all passengers on South African Airways flights. A complimentary selection of daily newspapers is available for passengers in the Business Class. The airline also offers Safari Vacation and Holiday packages for tourists.

Special Meals

Dietary, religious, vegetarian, gluten-free, nut-free and infant meals must be ordered at least 48 hours before flight departure. Kosher meals can also be ordered at least 72 hours before flight departure.

Where to Book South African Airways Flight Tickets

You can get cheaper fares and compare prices of other airlines to your destination, book them online and pay in any currency with your credit or debit cards by using our smart search to find cheap flights between destinations. Flying with Children

Infants

An infant under 2 years must be accompanied by an adult. The infant can be seated on the adult's lap with the aid of an extension belt. Children will be charged a child fare and allocated a seat if passengers book a seat for a child under the age of 2. Request for baby meals must be placed at least 48 hours prior to flight departure.

Unaccompanied minors

A child aged 5 to 11 years old will be classified as Unaccompanied Minor if they are travelling without a guardian or parent. A traveller between the ages of 12 to 16 is considered an adult. Reservations for Unaccompanied minors cannot be booked online and must be booked at the South African Airways local office.

Travelling with Pets

Cages larger than 23kg will be transported as cargo. An excess charge of ZAR250 will be applicable irrespective of the class of travel. All animals must be transported as manifested cargo. A free charge applies to 1 guide dog for a blind or deaf passenger. Emotional support or psychiatric animals are permitted for passengers to the?USA.

Cargo Delivery of South African Airways

South African Airways uses passenger flights and a fleet of 4 Boeing 737-300Fs for cargo services. South African Airways transports general cargo, perishables, express cargo, livestock, dangerous goods, vulnerable and valuable cargo. The cargo network spans South Africa, Africa and the world.

Terms and Check-in Policy

Check-In

Counter Check-in?

Flights within South Africa- 1 hour 30 minutes before flight departure. International Flights- 2 hours 30 minutes?before flight departure. Flights to the USA- 3 hours?before flight departure. Boarding for all flights begins at least 45 minutes before the scheduled time of departure.

Online check-in

?South African Airways flights are open for online check-in 24 hours before departure time but closes 1 hour 30 minutes before domestic departures and 2 hours before international flights.

Mobile check-in?

Mobile check-in on smartphone opens 24 hours before flight departure and closes 40 minutes departure.?Self-service check-in kiosks are available at selected airports.

Baggage

Baggage Allowance

Business Class- 2 pieces, each 32kg max. 1 piece of sporting equipment, not more than 23kg per piece. 2 pieces of hand baggage not more than 8kg each. Economy Class- 1 piece, each 23kg max. 1 piece of sporting equipment, not more than 23kg per piece. 1 piece of hand baggage not more than 8kg.

Special Baggage

Fragile or valuable items such as bass tuba, banjo, flute, clarinet, guitar, violin, and?trumpet will be accepted for flights as hand baggage, checked baggage, or on extra seat. Sports equipment like canoes, windsurfer, hang-gliders, kayaks, golf clubs, and billiard cues may travel free of charge if they do not exceed a maximum of 23kg.

Baggage Restrictions

?The following items must be packed in the hand or checked baggage. Asbestos, corrosives, blasting caps, detonators, fuses, dry ice, magnetised materials, fireworks, flammable liquids, gases, dynamite, engines, lithium batteries and grenades.

Delayed and Damaged Baggage

Incidents of damaged or delayed baggage must be reported immediately to the South African Airways Lost Property office.Costs of replacements for essential items will be paid by South African Airways if the baggage arrives 24 hours late.?Business Class passengers receive USD 100 per day while?Economy Class passengers receive USD 75 per day.