Question 1

What is the South African Airways reservations phone number?

Accepted Answer

South African Airways reservations can be reached at +27-11-978-1111, 24 hours a day. CheapoTrav also publishes phone-only fares that are not loaded into online inventory — call us first to compare.

Question 2

Where does South African Airways fly from?

Accepted Answer

South African Airways operates from 1 primary hub — JNB — and serves roughly 13 destinations worldwide with a fleet of about 12 aircraft. Founded in 1934 and headquartered in South Africa, South African Airways is one of the larger carriers in the Africa region.

Question 3

Is South African Airways part of an airline alliance?

Accepted Answer

South African Airways is an independent carrier and is not part of Star Alliance, oneworld or SkyTeam, though it does maintain bilateral partnerships for codeshares and frequent-flyer earning.

Question 4

What is the South African Airways carry-on baggage allowance?

Accepted Answer

1 cabin bag (55 × 40 × 23 cm) up to 8 kg + small personal item. Items that exceed those dimensions are gate-checked and may incur a fee, so it is worth measuring your bag at home — including wheels and handles — before you fly.

Question 5

How much does a checked bag cost on South African Airways?

Accepted Answer

Included on most long-haul fares. €40–€70 short-haul per bag. Elite Voyager members and passengers traveling in Business typically receive a higher free checked allowance — check your fare class on the booking confirmation for the exact entitlement.

Question 6

What is South African Airways's cancellation and refund policy?

Accepted Answer

EU261 protected. Refundable fares + 24-hour cooling-off on direct sales. Refunds are issued to the original form of payment and typically post within 7 business days for credit cards or up to 20 days for cash and check purchases. Travel-insurance or trip-protection plans can broaden the reasons that qualify for a refund.

Question 7

Does South African Airways charge change fees?

Accepted Answer

Flex fares change-free. Economy Saver change fee €70 + fare difference. Same-day flight changes are usually offered as a flat-fee option (subject to availability in your original fare bucket). Note that any fare difference between the original and new flight is always payable on top of the change fee.

Question 8

What cabin classes does South African Airways offer?

Accepted Answer

South African Airways sells the following cabins: Economy (31 in); Business (Lie-flat). Cabin availability varies by aircraft type and route — long-haul widebody routes generally offer the full premium line-up, while short-haul narrowbody flights typically operate with Economy only.

Question 9

Does South African Airways have Wi-Fi on board?

Accepted Answer

Yes — South African Airways offers Wi-Fi across most of its fleet. Availability by cabin: Economy — Paid; Business — Paid. Connectivity is typically fastest on widebody aircraft equipped with Ka-band or Ku-band satellite service; older regional jets may still rely on slower air-to-ground systems.

Question 10

What in-flight entertainment and meals can I expect on South African Airways?

Accepted Answer

Entertainment ranges across the cabins as follows: Economy — Seatback HD; Business — Seatback HD. On the catering side, Economy passengers receive south african specialties., while Business guests enjoy wine pairings from cape. Pre-order meal selection is available on most long-haul routes if you book at least 24 hours before departure.

Question 11

How does South African Airways's Voyager loyalty program work?

Accepted Answer

Voyager is South African Airways's frequent-flyer program, with elite tiers Silver → Gold → Platinum → Lifetime Platinum. Miles can be earned on paid flights, partner airlines, co-branded credit-card spend, and redeemed for award tickets, cabin upgrades, and ancillaries. Elite status typically unlocks priority check-in, free checked bags, complimentary upgrades when available, and lounge access on international itineraries.

Question 12

Where are the South African Airways lounges and how do I get in?

Accepted Answer

South African Airways operates branded lounges at Johannesburg (JNB). Access is generally limited to same-day travelers in Business or First, top-tier Voyager elites, and select co-brand credit-card holders. Day passes are sometimes sold subject to capacity; the flagship room is SAA Premium Lounge, known for cape wine library.

Question 13

What aircraft does South African Airways fly?

Accepted Answer

South African Airways's fleet of roughly 12 aircraft is built around 2 core types: airbus-a330-300, airbus-a320-200. Equipment is generally assigned by stage length — narrowbodies cover short and medium-haul routes, while widebodies are reserved for long-haul intercontinental flying. You can confirm the exact aircraft type for your itinerary at booking and again 24 hours before departure, since substitutions do happen.

Question 14

Can I travel with my pet on South African Airways?

Accepted Answer

Small pets in-cabin €60–€100 EU, €200 long-haul. Service animals free. Carriers must fit fully under the seat in front of you, the pet must remain inside for the duration of the flight, and only a limited number of in-cabin pets are permitted per flight — book early. Service animals trained to assist passengers with disabilities travel free with documentation submitted at least 48 hours before departure.

Question 15

Does South African Airways accept unaccompanied minors?

Accepted Answer

Ages 5–11: €40–€100 fee each way. Optional 12–17. An adult must complete a release form at the airport, present government-issued photo ID, and remain at the gate until the aircraft departs. The same identification is required by the receiving adult on arrival. Connecting itineraries and overnight flights are usually restricted for the youngest age band.

Question 16

How do I request special assistance on South African Airways?

Accepted Answer

PRM service free under EC 1107/2006. Request 48 hrs ahead. Requests can be added during booking, in your account profile, or by calling reservations. For mobility devices, give battery and dimension details ahead of time so the airport team can pre-stage the right equipment. Pre-boarding is offered to passengers who self-identify at the gate.

Question 17

When does check-in open for South African Airways flights?

Accepted Answer

Online and mobile check-in opens 24 hours before scheduled departure and closes 45–60 minutes before departure for most domestic flights and 60–90 minutes before international departures. Airport baggage drop and ticket counters typically close 30–60 minutes before departure depending on the route. Plan to be through security at least 90 minutes before a domestic departure and 2–3 hours ahead of an international one.

Question 18

How can I find the cheapest South African Airways flights?

Accepted Answer

For published fares, search 4–8 weeks ahead for domestic and 2–6 months ahead for international, fly mid-week (Tuesday/Wednesday) and avoid peak holiday windows. CheapoTrav also negotiates phone-only consolidator fares on South African Airways that are not loaded into public booking engines — call +1 (815) 991-4848 to have an agent compare them against the best online price before you commit.

South African Airways

Cabin experience

Airport lounges

SAA Premium Lounge

Policies

Seat map explorer

Fleet

Airbus A330-300

Airbus A320-200

Notable routes

Loyalty program

In pictures

Reviews of South African Airways

Frequently asked questions about South African Airways