South African Airways Baggage
All information about South African Airways baggage allowance and fees in one page!
To see paid South African Airways baggage allowance and fees please look below.
Information about free South African Airways baggage limits:
| Airline’s Name | Free Cabin baggage limits | Free Checked baggage limits |
|---|---|---|
| South African Airways |
56cm (L) 36cm (W) 23cm (H) – Business: Two pieces: 8kg (18lb) each/ Economy: One piece not exceeding 8kg (18lb) |
20Kg- Economy Class /30Kg Business Class |
To know more about South African Airways baggage allowance and fees: http://www.flysaa.com/us/en/flyingSAA/baggage/baggageLiabilityAndConditions.html
Updated March 31, 2016
About South African Airways:
South African Airways (SAA) is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa. The airline flies to 38 destinations worldwide from its hub at OR Tambo International Airport, using a fleet of 54 aircraft. South African Airways was founded in 1934 after the acquisition of Union Airways by the South African government. The airline was initially overseen and controlled by South African Railways and Harbours Administration. Sanctions by African countries which would have otherwise provided stopover airports during apartheid forced it to adopt long-range aircraft and other measures to counter these restrictions.
More detailed information about South African Airways baggage allowance and fees below:
For your own safety and comfort, it is important to be aware of what you can and cannot bring on board before you check in with South African Airways (SAA).
| Travel Class | Max Weight Per Piece | Max Dimensions Per Piece |
| Business | Two pieces: 8kg (18lb) each | 56cm (L) 36cm (W) 23cm (H) |
| Economy | One piece not exceeding 8kg (18lb) | 56cm (L) 36cm (W) 23cm (H) |
All hand luggage must be of a size that fits under the seat in front of you or in one of the overhead lockers. Hand luggage must not obstruct emergency exits or aisles. One (1) Small personal (E.G. Small purse, small laptop case) is also allowed. Larger laptop bags and standard/bulkier briefcases will NOT be considered a personal item and will count as a normal piece of cabin baggage, which may not exceed one piece in economy and two in premium (subject to dimension & weight restrictions).
The general free allowance on AIRLINK flights is 20Kg in Economy Class and 30Kg in Business Class per adult passenger.
Children & Infants paying at least 50% of the adult fare are entitled to the same baggage allowance as adults.
Infants not entitled to a seat shall only be permitted 10Kg of checked-in baggage in addition to one collapsible pram/buggy and one infant car seat.
Exceptions exist:
- If passage is between Johannesburg and Nose Be, Madagascar an allowance of 20kg only will be permitted per adult passenger. Note: Sporting Equipment can only form part of the free baggage allowance and no excess baggage will be permitted.
- If passage is on the Lodge-Link services i.e. between Nelspruit/Skukuza and the Sabi Sands lodges – Cessna Caravan operations, an allowance of 20Kg only will be permitted per adult passenger provided such is packed in a soft/pliable bag. Note : no excess baggage will be permitted however free baggage storage facilities are provided at Skukuza Airport and Nelspruit KMIA.
- If passage is between Johannesburg and Harare/Bulawayo/Lusaka/Ndola where an allowance of 30Kg in Economy Class and 40Kg in Business class applies per adult passenger.
- If you are flying on a single-contract/interline no-stop ticket connecting with an SAA Regional or International flight where the baggage allowance of the most significant carrier will reflect on your ticket (If passage is on separate-contract tickets or constructed with sector fares, the baggage allowance for each ticket shall apply). See importantneed to know below on MSC – Most Significant Carrier.
- If you are a South African Airways Voyager card holder whereby an additional free baggage allowance shall apply in the following categories; Platinum = additional 30kg; Gold = additional 20kg and Silver = additional 10kg.
- If you are flying on a single-contract/interline ticket on an approved interline partner airline where the applicable airline’s allowance will reflect on your ticket.
Sport equipment information:
Special Baggage Regulations are applicable on SA operating flights only. (SA 1000; 2000; 7000; 8000 series excluded)
- Sporting equipment is not applicable on the DXB flight code share.
- Sporting equipment is not applicable on the EY code-share flights.
- At no time may Sporting equipment be though checked / interlining with other carriers is not permitted.
The following Sporting equipment as described below (ONE additional Piece weighing not more than 23kg per passenger & maximum dimension of 158 cm unless specified) is free of charge.
- Angling (fishing rods not exceeds 200cm)
- Archery
- Athletic (track and field)
- Baseball/ Softball
- Basketball
- Bowls
- Cricket
- Cycling: 200cm – 100cm – 75cm
- Diving (Scuba Equipment)
- Please note that the tank must be empty
- Fencing
- Bag not exceeding 200cm
- Football (soccer)
- Golf
- Hockey (field/ice)
- Horse riding equipment
- Saddle must be wrapped & stirrups must be tied & riding helmet
- Lacrosse
- Netball
- Motor – sport (protective riding gear & helmet)
- Motor-cycle gear
- Protective riding gear and helmet; motor-cycle to be sent as cargo
- Parachute Equipment (including helmet)
- Polo Cross (riding helmet, stick and balls)
- Rock Climbing (including helmets, rope bags, climbing harnesses and crash pads / bouldering mats if not exceeding 200 cm in length)
- Rugby
- Sailing equipment (including – wet/dry sailing suits, life jackets, water boots, ropes, blocks, pulleys, selected tools, water bottle (empty), sails (folded or rolled – tube must not be longer than 200cm) Paddles – which may not be longer than 200cm
- Shooting/hunting
- Firearms and ammunition – subject to correct transportation/ safety procedures being followed
- Ammunition – up to 5kg when packed separately due to regulations will be accepted free of charge.
- Snow/water ski equipment
- Surfboards/kite surfing/paragliding: smaller than 200cm
- Swimming
- Tennis/squash
- Ten pin bowling
- Volleyball
Sporting equipment – wheelchairs permitted as long as it is part of one of the sporting types as listed above: additional piece to a maximum of 32kg.
N.B For Sporting Equipment NOT specified above this must be included in free baggage allowance; if exceeding, normal XBAG rate applies.
Musical instruments:
South African Airways accepts musical instruments for carriage, so please familiarise yourself with each option. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a special free baggage allowance for the carriage of these goods.