Cheap Domestic Flights within South Africa

Airlines that fly within 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.

Kulula

Kulula is a 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 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 Airlines

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.