Domestic Flights within South Africa
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- Airlines will always try to sit children with their parents (subject to check-in)
- Some airlines will allow travel for unaccompanied minors. Please email us to check.
- The fare is based on the child's age on the date of travel.
- More detailed information can be found here Traveling with children
- Most airlines will let infants travel with their parent(s) for free. However some airlines will charge up to 10% of the adult ticket price. Click on 'Price Breakdown' to find out more.
- If you are pregnant, but due before the flight departure date, please contact us once your baby is born and has a name. We can then add him/her to your ticket.
- Infants will not be given a seat. The airlines expect parents to travel with them on their lap.
- Airlines regard infants as being under 24 months old.
- The fare is based on the child's age on the date of travel.
- More detailed information can be found here Traveling with children
Domestic Flights in South Africa
Find South Africa domestic flights at Alternative Airlines. Read our page to find out all you need to know about flying domestically within South Africa and then use our search form at the top of the page to find flights!
About Domestic Flights in South Africa
A domestic flight in South Africa is any flight that departs and lands within the South African border. Domestic flights within South Africa are usually operated by South African carriers, however, some other international airlines fly between South African cities. For example, despite originating from the UK, British Airways offer regular flights between Cape Town and Johannesburg.
There are over 20 different commercial airports within South Africa, which makes it a great country to fly domestically within.
Airlines that fly domestically within South Africa
Airlink
Airlink is a South African airline that flies regionally in southern Africa and offers many domestic flights within the country.
The airline is primarily based at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, where it offers over 10 different South Africa domestic routes from. This includes flights to destinations such as Port Elizabeth, Sishen, Upington, Richards Bay, Polokwane and more.
Airlink has a secondary base at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, which is the main airports to fly into when visiting Kruger National Park. Airlink offers domestic flights to and from Kruger Mpumalanga from destinations such as Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Livingstone, Skukuza and Vilankulo.
Overall, Airlink offers over flights to and from over 15 different airports within South Africa, making it one of the most well-connected domestic airlines in the country.
Federal Air
Federal Air is a small regionally airline that offers both scheduled passenger and charter flights within South Africa and beyond.
The airline is based at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, from where it operates the majority of its services from, both domestically and internationally.
The airline flies to many smaller airports and airstrips, some of which are only available through charter flights. For example, a Federal Air charter flight is the only option to reach the Madikwe Game Reserve by air.
Flysafair
FlySafair is a low-cost airline based at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, with secondary hubs at Cape Town International and King Shaka International Airport.
The airline operates only domestic flights and flies between seven airports in six different destinations within South Africa, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, East London, George and Port Elizabeth.
Kulula
Kulula is a domestic South African airline that is famous for its bright green 'Flying 101' airline livery.
The airline is a great choice if you're looking to fly between major domestic airports within South Africa, with daily flights between its hub at OR Tambo International Airport and Cape Town International Airport.
Kulula has both of its major bases in Johannesburg and flies to seven different airports within South Africa overall.
Mango
Mango is a government-owned airline that operates low-cost services throughout South Africa, with additional connections to Zanzibar.
Mango's stripped-down service is a great choice if you're looking to fly between major airports within South Africa on a budget.
The airline is based at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg but also flies many services from Cape Town international too. Overall, Mango flies domestically between eight different South African airports.
South African Airways
South African Airways is the flag carrier of South Africa and offers hundreds of daily flights, whether they be domestic, international or intercontinental.
The airline only flies to four airports in South Africa — OR Tambo International, Cape Town International, King Shaka International and East London Airport. However, it's a great airline to use if you're flying into South Africa from an international destination and want to get a connecting domestic flight to another major South African airport straight after.
South African Express
South African Express is a domestic and regional South African airline that operates to eight South African destinations, as well as a small number of international destinations.
Thanks to its strategic alliance with South African Airways, South African Express is a great alternative to the country's flag carrier. South African Express flies to many of the smaller South African airports that South African Airways doesn't. Plus, it offers many different options from the airports that both airlines do fly to.
Why book domestic flights in
South Africa?
With it taking around 16 hours to drive from Cape Town on the west coast to Durban on the east coast, taking a domestic flight within South Africa can save you tons of time and hassle.
South Africa is a beautiful and diverse country, with so much to see and do. You can visit the stunning wine regions in surrounding areas of Cape Town or go in search of the Big Five in an incredible safari in Kruger National Park.
However you decide to spend your time in South Africa, each moment is precious. That's why choosing air transport as your method of travel is such a great choice. Instead of taking long bus journies that eat up your day to get across the country, you can take a short flight and use the time you save to make memories that will last with you for a lifetime.
Or, if you're travelling for business, the many daily flights that operate across the country might be your only option to get to important working meetings and events.
Internal South Africa Flights Check-In Times
Airlink
Online:
Online check-in opens 24 hours before flight departure time.
Airport:
Airlink ask that you check-in at least 1.5 hours before flight departure time on South African domestic flights.
Flysafair
Online:
Online check-in is open between 24–4 hours before scheduled flight departure time.
Airport:
Airport check-in closes 40 minutes before the flight is scheduled to leave.
Kulula
Online:
Online check-in opens 24 hours before flight departure time and closes just one hour before.
Airport:
Airport check-in opens 90 minutes before flight departure time and closes 45 minutes before on all domestic flights.
Mango
Online:
Online check-in is available from 24–2 hours before the flight is scheduled to depart.
Airport:
Airport check-in closes 40 minutes before flight departure time.
South African Airways
Online:
Passengers can check-in for domestic flights up until 90 minutes before their flight is scheduled to leave.
Airport:
Airport check-in closes 30 minutes before scheduled flight departure time.
South African Express
Online:
Online check-in is open up until 90 minutes before flight departure time on domestic flights.
Airport:
Airport check-in closes 30 minutes before flight departure time for domestic flights.
Domestic Flights to
Cape Town
Best airport to fly into
There is only one airport in Cape Town — Cape Town International Airport. This airport serves both domestic and international flights and is one of the main gateways into the country. This makes it a great stopover point for travelling to other parts of South Africa
Airlines that fly to Cape Town
Airlink
Airlink flies to Cape Town with domestic from George, Kimberley, Nelspruit and Skukuza
British Airways
As well as offering international flights from London Heathrow to Cape Town, British Airways also flies domestically to Cape Town from Durba, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
CemAir
CemAir flies a single service to Cape Town from Plettenberg Bay
FlySafair
FlySafair operates regularly scheduled flights to Cape Town to/from Durban, East London, both airports in Johannesburg, Tambo and Port Elizabeth. The airline also flies a seasonal service between Cape Town and George.
Kulala.com
Kulula flies domestic services to Cape Town from Durban and both airports in Johannesburg.
Mango
Mango flies domestically to Cape Town with flights from Bloemfontein, Durban both airports in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
South African Airways
SAA flies a single domestic service to Cape Town from Johannesburg.
South African Express
With its parent airline, South African Airways, operating the main major domestic routes, South African Express flies to Cape Town from more niche domestic routes in South African, including Bloemfontein, Durban, East London and Hoedspruit.
Domestic Flights to
Johannesburg
Best airport to fly into
There are two airports in Johannesburg. Johannesburg O.R Tambo International Airport is one of the main airports in the country, with domestic and international flights to/from the airport. Johannesburg Lanseria International Airport is a smaller airport, which only has a few domestic services from a small number of airlines.
Airlink
Airlink flies to Johannesburg O.R Tambo from Hoedspruit, Kimberley, Mthatha, Nelspruit, Polokwane, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Sishen, Shukuza, Umata and Upington.
British Airways
British Airways flies domestically to Johannesburg O.R Tambo from Durban, Harare and Port Elizabeth.
CemAir
CemAir flies domestically to Johannesburg O.R Tambo from Bloemfontein, Hoedspruit, Kimberley, Margate, Plottenburg and Richards Bay.
FlySafair
FlySafair flies domestically to both airports in Johannesburg from Cape Town and George.
FlySafair also flies to Johanessburg O.R Tambo from Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth.
Kulula.com
Kulula offers domestic flights to both airports in Johannesburg from Cape Town and George.
Kulula also flies to Johanessburg O.R Tambo from Durban and East London.
Mango
Mango flies domestic services to both airports in Johannesburg from Cape Town and George.
Mango also flies to Johanessburg O.R Tambo from Durban and Port Elizabeth.
South African Airways
SAA flies domestically to both airports Johannesburg from Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth.
South African Express
South African Express operates domestic flights to both airports in Johannesburg to Bloemfontein, East London, George, Hoedspruit, Kimberley, Mahikeng, Richards Bay and Sun City.
Domestic Flights to
George
Best airport to fly into
The best and only airport in George is George Airport. The airport is a small airport with only a small number of South African airlines flying domestically to it.
Airlink
Airlink flies domestically to George from Cape Town and Durban and is currently the only airline offering flights between these destinations on a regular basis.
CemAir
CemAir flies a single domestic service between George and Bloemfontein and is the only airline that offers this service.
FlySafair
FlySafair flies to George from both airports in Johannesburg and is currently the only airline to George from Johannesburg-Lanseria.
Kulula
Kulula flies to George from Johannesburg O.R Tambo. This is the only flight that it offers to George.
Mango
Mango flies one domestic service to George from Johannesburg O.R Tambo.
Domestic Flights to
Durban
Best airport to fly into
The best airport to fly into if flying domestically to Durban is King Shaka International Airport. King Shaka International is the only airport in Durban. As well as servicing a number of domestic flights, it also has airlines offering international connections with services to Europe, Asia and other parts of Africa.
Airlink
Airlink flies to Durban from Bloemfontein, East London, George and Nelspruit.
British Airways
British Airways offers flights to Durban from Cape Town, Johannesburg O.R Tambo and Port Elizabeth.
FlySafair
FlySafair flies domestic routes to Durban from Cape Town, East London, Johannesburg O.R Tambo and Port Elizabeth.
Kulula
Kulula flies three domestic routes to Durban from Cape Town and both airports in Johannesburg.
Mango
Mango flies domestically to Durban from Cape Town and both airports in Johannesburg.
South African Airways
South African Airways operates a single domestic service to Durban from Johannesburg O.R Tambo.
South African Express
South African Express also flies domestically to Durban from Johannesburg O.R Tambo and also flies from Port Elizabeth too.
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