Cheap Domestic Flights within South Africa
Domestic Flights South Africa
Find local flights within South Africa flights with Alternative Airlines. Read our page to find out all you need to know about flying internally within South Africa and then use our search form at the top of the page to find flights!
DOMESTIC AIRLINES IN south africa
There are many airlines that offer local flights in South Africa. Here are some of the key airlines, with information on which destinations that fly between.
Airlink
Airlink is a South African airline that flies regionally in southern Africa and offers many flights within the country.
The airline is primarily based at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg. This includes flights to destinations such as Port Elizabeth, Sishen, Upington, Richards Bay, Polokwane and more. The airline serves more than 30 destinations. It also has codeshare agreements with South African Airways and South African Express, making it one of the most well-connected airlines in the country.
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 flights to and from Kruger Mpumalanga from destinations such as Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Livingstone, Skukuza and Vilankulo.
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 internally 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 only operates internal flights and flies between seven airports in six different destinations within South Africa, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, East London, George and Port Elizabeth.
ESWATINI AIR
Eswatini Air is an Eswatini-based airline and flag carrier of the nation. The airline began operations in March 2023 after securing its AOC in December 2022. Eswatini Air operates flights to Johannesburg twice a day, but also operates flights between Manzini, Cape Town, Durban and Harare.
MANGO Airlines
Mango is a government-owned airline that operates low-cost flights in 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 between eight different South African airports.
South African Airways
SAA 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 flight to another major South African airport straight after.
South African Express
SAE is a 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.
About Flights within South Africa
Domestic flights in South Africa are any flights that depart and land within the South African border. 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 the country, which makes it a great country to fly internally within.
Why book INTERNAL 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 an internal 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 the surrounding areas of Cape Town, experience some of South Africa's best beers and breweries, 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 Flights Check-In Times
Airlink
- Online: Online check-in opens 24 hours before flight departure time.
- Airport: Airlink asks that you check-in at least 1.5 hours before flight departure time on South African 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 flights within the country.
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 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.
- Airport: Airport check-in closes 30 minutes before flight departure time.
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 from George, Kimberley, Nelspruit and Skukuza
British Airways
As well as offering international flights from London Heathrow to Cape Town, British Airways also flies 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 operates services to Cape Town from Durban and both airports in Johannesburg.
Mango
Mango operates to Cape Town with flights from Bloemfontein, Durban both airports in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
South African Airways
SAA flies a single service to Cape Town from Johannesburg.
South African Express
With its parent airline, SAA, operating the main major routes, South African Express flies to Cape Town from more niche routes within South African, including Bloemfontein, Durban, East London and Hoedspruit.
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 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 to Johannesburg O.R Tambo from Durban, Harare and Port Elizabeth.
CemAir
CemAir flies to Johannesburg O.R Tambo from Bloemfontein, Hoedspruit, Kimberley, Margate, Plottenburg and Richards Bay.
FlySafair
FlySafair flies 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 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 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 to both airports Johannesburg from Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth.
South African Express
SAE operates flights to both airports in Johannesburg to Bloemfontein, East London, George, Hoedspruit, Kimberley, Mahikeng, Richards Bay and Sun City.
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 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 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 service to George from Johannesburg O.R Tambo.
Flights to Durban
Best airport to fly into
The best airport to fly into if flying to Durban is King Shaka International Airport. King Shaka International is the only airport in Durban. As well as servicing a number of 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 operates routes to Durban from Cape Town, East London, Johannesburg O.R Tambo and Port Elizabeth.
Kulula
Kulula flies three routes to Durban from Cape Town and both airports in Johannesburg.
Mango
Mango flies to Durban from Cape Town and both airports in Johannesburg.
South African Airways
SAA operates a single service to Durban from Johannesburg O.R Tambo.
South African Express
SAE also flies to Durban from Johannesburg O.R Tambo and also flies from Port Elizabeth too.
Book a domestic South Africa flight
flight With Alternative Airlines
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FAQs
Do I need a passport for domestic flights in South Africa?
You won't need a passport for a domestic flight within South Africa. However, you'll need some form of government-issued photo identification that the airline will check at the airport.
It's important to check with each individual airline on the type of identification that they accept, as it might differ from airline to airline.
How early do I need to arrive for domestic flights in South Africa?
For local flights, airport check-in closing times can vary from anything between 45–30 minutes before flight departure time, so it's recommended to arrive 90 minutes before flight departure time to give yourself plenty of time before your flight.
The only exception to this is with Airlink. This airline closes its check-in counters 90 minutes before the flight departure time. So it's recommended you arrive at the airport 30–45 minutes before this.
If you've checked-in online and have no checked bags to drop, you can go straight to security and can afford to arrive at the airport a little later.
Are there any airlines the no longer operate?
Over the years there have been a number of airlines which have unfortunately ceased operations. This includes Nationwide Aviation, which operated international flights to other destinations in Africa, as well as to Europe, before ceasing operations in 2008. 1Time Airline was also a low-cost airline that operated in South Africa, but ceased operations in 2021.
Can I book private flights within South Afirca?
Yes you can, there are a number of airlines operating in South Africa which provide private charter, taxi, and even sightseeing tours. An example is Angel Gabriel Aeronautics.
Can I book domestic flights online?
Yes, you can book domestic flights within South Africa online on the Alternative Airlines website. Use our search form and enter the dates and destinations that you want to fly between to see all options from all airlines.
Are there any travel restrictions within South Africa due to COVID?
Yes, depending on where you're flying from. If you're flying to South Africa from the US, you'll need to make sure your vaccinations are up to date. If you're flying on a domestic flight within South Africa, you may be required to carry out a PCR test depending on the airline you fly with and the airport you arrive in.