Airlink is a privately owned South African Airline that you can book through Alternative Airlines!
Airlink's been operating for over 30 years. It flies passengers to popular and remote locations in southern Africa.
Airlink is known for its efficient punctuality. If you want to get to your destination on time, then Airlink's a safe bet.
Airlink is IOSA accredited and a member of IATA.
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.
Pay later with PayJustNow and travel frustration-free!
Airlink has a different baggage policy for carry-on and checked baggage policy. Which cabin class you are flying in also affects this.
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.
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.
Airlink's customers can choose between Economy and Business Class for their flights.
Economy Class is the more basic cabin class out of the two that the airline offers.
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 is perfect for passengers who are looking for a more comfortable and personalised service.
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).
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.
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.
The airline currently doesn't have any WiFi Connectivity onboard.
Alternative Airlines is now partnered with Happy Pay! Giving South Africans even more flexibility over their Airlink flights!
Happy Pay is a South African Buy Now, Pay Later provider. It lets you either pay in 2, with charges aligned to your paycheck dates. Or pay in 3 with a soft-credit check. Both options are interest-free!
Keep your bank account happy when you pay for your Airlink flights with Happy Pay.
Airlink have check in available both online or at the airport.
Airlink offers passengers online check-in. Check-in opens 24 hours before your departure time and you can check-in online.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
As of April 2026, Airlink flies to over 45 destinations across Africa and the Atlantic Islands. 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.
Please click on the logos below to find out more about airlines that fly similar routes:
No way, really?! Yes! We’ve partnered with some amazing BNPL payment providers to allow you to pay for your flights over time, with ease.
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.
As of August 2020, Airlink fleet consists of 53 aircraft with 6 on order: