Search & book flights with South African Airways (SAA)

Pay later with PayJustNow ✨

• Perfect for South African residents, PayJustNow lets you split your SAA flight into 3 interest-free instalments.
• There are no hidden fees as long as you make payments on time. This makes managing travel expenses simple, letting you secure your flight now and pay comfortably over time.

Pay later with Payflex ✨

• Payflex offers another convenient way to spread the cost of your South African Airways booking.
• Choose from flexible payment plans that work with your budget, making that family visit or business trip more affordable.

Why pay later works for flights 💸

Flight prices can feel out of reach, especially for family trips or last-minute travel. Our Buy Now Pay Later options mean you don't have to wait months saving up or put everything on a credit card.

Book your SAA flight when you find the right price and dates, spread the payments to suit your budget, and fly now, pay later with South African Airways.

We offer more Buy Now Pay Later options than anyone else, including Afterpay, Klarna and over 40 other payment methods. Whatever works for you, we've got it covered.

SAA serves 16 destinations with focused growth in African connectivity and strategic intercontinental routes.

Domestic destinations 🏠

• Cape Town
• Durban
• Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)

African destinations 🌍

• Harare, Lusaka, Windhoek, Mauritius, Lagos, Accra, Dar es Salaam and Lubumbashi

Intercontinental routes ✈️

• São Paulo, Brazil
• Perth, Australia

Coming in 2025 ✨

SAA plans to add Johannesburg-George, Cape Town-Durban domestic services, plus Johannesburg-Gaborone. The airline aims to return to Europe and North America by December 2025, with Germany, London and US East Coast routes under consideration.

Hub advantage at OR Tambo 🛫

OR Tambo International Airport handles over 20 million passengers annually and serves as Africa's largest domestic hub. This creates natural connection opportunities for travellers exploring Southern Africa, with SAA offering streamlined transfers and competitive connecting fares.

Business Class ✨

Premium comfort with direct aisle access

SAA's A330-300 Business Class features 46 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Each seat offers:

• 180-degree fully flat beds
• Direct aisle access for every passenger
• 45-inch pitch and 24-inch width
• 15-inch touchscreen entertainment
• Individual USB and laptop charging
• Premium amenities including noise-cancelling headphones

Economy Class 💺

Generous space and modern amenities

The 203 Economy seats provide:

• Generous legroom compared to many competitors
• 10-inch personal entertainment screens
• USB charging ports
• Movable headrests with adjustable ears
• Comfortable slimline seating

Dining that celebrates South Africa 🍽️

• Business Class passengers enjoy à la carte meals featuring local cheese boards and selected South African wines.
• Economy passengers receive complimentary meals on long-haul flights, with special dietary requirements accommodated.

Entertainment without WiFi 📺

• SAA offers personal entertainment systems with latest movies, TV shows and documentaries.
• WiFi isn't currently available, consistent with most South African carriers, though future implementation through Starlink Aviation remains under consideration.

Economy Class 🧳

• Carry-on: 7kg maximum, dimensions 56×36×23cm
• Checked: 1 piece up to 23kg (standard routes)
• Africa and Brazil routes: 2 pieces up to 23kg each
• Australia routes: 2 pieces up to 23kg each

Business Class 🧳

• Carry-on: 7kg maximum (same dimensions)
• Checked: 2 pieces up to 32kg each

Special considerations 💡

• Student fares on select African routes include 3 pieces until November 2025
• Sports equipment falls under standard allowances
• Musical instruments can be checked or purchase an extra seat at discounted rates
• Excess baggage costs $65-$240 per additional piece depending on route

Online check-in 📱

Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure. Save time at the airport by checking in online through SAA's website or mobile app. You can select seats, add special requests, and get your boarding pass sent to your phone.

Self-service kiosks 🖥️

At select airports, SAA offers self-service kiosks where you can check in and print boarding passes. The kiosks are available at major airports such as O.R. Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport.

How to use self-service check-in 💡

Using SAA's self-service kiosks is straightforward:

1. Locate the kiosks - Look for SAA-branded self-service terminals in the departure hall
2. Start your check-in - Scan your passport or enter your booking reference
3. Confirm your details - Verify your flight information and passenger details
4. Select your seat - Choose from available seats (subject to availability)
5. Add extras - Purchase additional baggage or upgrade services if needed
6. Print documents - Get your boarding pass and baggage tags
7. Drop off bags - If you have checked baggage, proceed to the bag drop counters

The kiosks accept multiple languages and provide step-by-step guidance throughout the process.

Airport arrival times 🕝

• International flights: Arrive 3 hours early due to biometric systems and immigration processing at OR Tambo
• Domestic flights: Arrive 2 hours before departure
• Peak travel periods may require additional time

Premium services for business class ✨

Business class passengers can use:

• Kerbside check-in at OR Tambo (when available)
• Priority check-in counters
• Fast-track security lanes
• Access to renovated SAA lounges

Voyager status benefits ✨

Elite members of SAA's Voyager frequent flyer program can enjoy priority check-in for themselves plus guests, depending on their tier level. Platinum members get dedicated premium service counters.

Travel documents 📄

Make sure you have valid travel documents for your destination. Some countries require specific visa or health documentation - check requirements well before your travel date.

1. Search and compare with Alternative Airlines 🔎

Our platform lets you compare SAA flights alongside 600+ other airlines, so you can find the perfect balance of price, timing and convenience for your trip.

2. Choose your flexible payment option 💸

We offer more Buy Now, Pay Later options than anyone else:

• PayJustNow - Split payments into 3 interest-free instalments
• Payflex - Pay in flexible instalments
• Afterpay - Pay in 4 instalments
• Klarna - Flexible payment plans available
• Plus 40+ other payment methods including traditional cards and digital wallets

3. Book with confidence 💜

• Instant booking confirmation
• Flight protection available
• Dedicated customer support throughout your journey
• Easy management of your booking online with our Manage My Booking portal

Timing is everything 🕝

• Book domestic flights 2-6 weeks in advance
• Book international flights 8-12 weeks ahead
• Book Business Class flights 4-6 months early for significant savings
• Fly Tuesday/Wednesday for 15-20% savings over weekends

Seasonal strategies 📅

• Shoulder seasons (March-May, September-November) offer better value
• Avoid peak summer (December-January) when possible
• School holiday periods see premium pricing

Smart booking tips 💡

• Use flexible date searches to find cheaper alternatives
• Fly now, pay later to manage your money
• Consider connecting flights vs direct routes for savings
• Monitor prices but don't wait too long - good deals disappear quickly
• Book return flights together for better pricing