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Airlink services an independent network of smaller destinations, and connects major regional cities, as a component of several branded network systems through the company’s interline relationships with international long-haul carriers that provide air services from international airports to South Africa. The network service enables passengers to travel seamlessly on interconnecting flights on more than one airline.
The group’s network originates from key hubs including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban to smaller destinations throughout Sub-Saharan Africa including Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Antananarivo, Nosy Be, Lusaka, Ndola, Maputo, Pemba, Nampula, Tete, Beira, Vilanculos, Gaborone, Maun (Okavango Swamps), Kasane (Chobe River), Harare, Bulawayo, Livingstone, Victoria Falls, Manzini, Maseru, Lubumbashi, Dar Es Salaam, Nairobi, Lilongwe, Blantyre, and the Atlantic ocean islands of St Helena and Ascension Island. Within South Africa we offer services between the hubs Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, and from these hubs to Port Elizabeth, East London, Upington, Mthatha, Pietermaritzburg, Nelspruit, Polokwane, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, George, Sishen, Skukuza, Hoedspruit and Richards Bay.
Airlink is IOSA accredited and a member of IATA.
Pay Later for Airlink Flights with PayJustNow
Did you know that you can use PayJustNow at Alternative Airlines to pay for your Airlink flights?
Pay later for your Airlink flights using PayJustNow, a flexible Buy Now Pay Later available to residents of South Africa.
PayJustNow, a South African Buy Now, Pay Later service, lets you split your flight payments into 3 interest-free instalments. There are no hidden fees as long as you make your payments on time. This makes managing travel expenses a breeze, allowing you to enjoy your trip now and pay comfortably over a short period.
Baggage Policy
Airlink has a different baggage policy for carry-on and checked baggage policy. Which cabin class you are flying in also affects this.
Carry-on Baggage
Items transported as hand luggage must not exceed 56cm x 34cm x 23cm in size, and no larger than 8kg in weight.
Business Class passengers are permitted 2 pieces of hand luggage.
Economy Class passengers are permitted 1 piece of hand luggage.
Checked Baggage
Generally, the following luggage allowances apply unless otherwise stated:
Passengers travelling in Economy Class are permitted 20kg of checked luggage.
Passengers travelling in Business Class are permitted 30kg of checked luggage.
The size of checked luggage must fit within 90cm x 72cm x 45cm.
Cabin Classes
Airlink's customers can choose between Economy and Business Class for their flights.
Economy Class
Economy Class is the more basic cabin class out of the two that the airline offers.
Economy Class Facilities
Passengers are given the option to order from the airline's in-flight menu. The food options range from light refreshments to hot meals, depending on the route flown. The drinks menu features both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Economy Class Seats
Economy class seats are usually laid out in a 2 x 2 or 3 x 3 formation in a spacious cabin. This allows for more room between each seat.
Business Class
Business Class is perfect for passengers who are looking for a more comfortable and personalised service.
Business Class Facilities
Business Class passengers are given a welcome drink once on board, a hand towel, as well as a freshly prepared meal with great choice, served on a plate with silverware to use as cutlery.
Business Class passengers are also given access to the South African Airways Business Class lounge if flying from O.R Tambo International Airport (JNB).
What are Business Class Seats Like?
Business Class seats are set out in either a 1 x 2, 2 x 2 or 2 x 3 formation. Each seat has a drinks holder and is designed to give generous space with extra width and pitch.
In-flight Entertainment & WIFI
The airline doesn't have any in-flight screen entertainment onboard, however, there is you can stay entertained with Airlink's magazine called the 'Skyways' which offers travel tips, health tips, fun articles to read.
WiFi Connectivity
The airline currently doesn't have any WiFi Connectivity onboard.
Check-In
Airlink have check in available both online or at the airport.
Online Check-in
Airlink offers passengers online check-in. Check-in opens 24 hours before your departure time and you can check-in online.
Airport Check-in
If passengers do not check-in online, they must visit the Airlink airport check-in desk at the airport.
For domestic flights, airport check-in will open 1.5 hours before scheduled departure, closing 30 minutes before departure.
For international or regional flights, airport check-in will open 2 hours before scheduled departure, closing 50 minutes before departure.
Frequent Flyer Programme
Airlink offers a frequent flyer program called Voyager to reward regular travellers with the airline.
Voyager is South African Airways' Loyalty programme. This program rewards passengers Miles for every time they travel with Airlink. These Miles can be redeemed for free flights, upgrades and other benefits.
Voyager offers five tiers - Blue, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Lifetime Platinum. Each of these tiers provides members with exclusive benefits.
You will receive miles if you frequently fly with any of the following airlines' South African Airways, South African Express Airways. You can get access to more luxury and comfort from the five tiers including Bonus Miles, access to private airport lounges, extra baggage allowance and even a cab service for Platinum and Lifetime Platinum members.
Airline Alliance
By having close connections with South African Airlines, its Star Alliance Partner airlines and other international carriers, Airlink can offer its passengers continuous flights to destinations around the world and offer the opportunity to earn voyager miles.
Airlink Codeshares
Air Canada, Air China, Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, Air Seychelles, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Egyptair, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Mango, Scandinavian (SAS), Singapore Airlines, Swiss Airlines, TAP Portugal, RwandAir, LATAM, Virgin Australia and United Airlines.
Special Services
Airlink offer services for unaccompanied children to travel, incapacitated persons, pregnant women, infants and persons with illness or other people requiring special assistance all need to make arrangements with the Airline. Special assistance passengers may not be permitted to be seated near an emergency exit.
Destinations that Airlink flies to
As of August 2020, Airlink flies to 36 destinations in the South African Development Community sub-region. Airlink flies from and to its Hub airport, O.R Tambo International Airport (JNB) including many other destinations. With Airlink, you can fly to many popular safari parks, find out about other airlines that operate safari flights.
Alternatives to Airlink
Please click on the logos below to find out more about airlines that fly similar routes:
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Hub Airport
O.R. Tambo International Airport
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is a major international airport in Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa and is the hub airport for South African Airways.
The airport has two runways and can handle nearly 20 million passengers every year. Other airlines which fly to and from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) include Air Botswana, Kulula, Mango Airlines, Air China, Air France, Air Seychelles, EgyptAir, EL Al, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, South African Airways, Singapore Airlines and Saudia.
Fleet
As of August 2020, Airlink fleet consists of 53 aircraft with 6 on order:
- 7 BAe Jetstream 41
- 4 Cessna Grand Caravan EX
- 17 Embraer ERJ-135
- 11 Embraer ERJ-140
- 3 Embraer 140
- 11 Embraer 190IGW with 6 on more on order.