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Airport Transportation

South African Airways

SA SAA

South African Airways is the flag carrier of South Africa and a Star Alliance member, flying from Johannesburg to cities in South Africa, Africa, Brazil and Australia. This guide covers its hubs, fleet, cabins, baggage, check-in, Voyager and airport transportation.

19
Aircraft
17
Destinations
JNB
Hub
Star Alliance
Alliance

Landing with South African Airways?

Pick your arrival airport. Fixed price, and a driver in arrivals with your name on a sign.

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The airline

About South African Airways

Schedules, aircraft assignments, terminals and fare rules can change. Confirm operational details directly with South African Airways before travel.

Official name

South African Airways SOC Ltd

Callsign

SPRINGBOK

Country

South Africa

Founded

1934 (successor to Union Airways, founded 1929)

Head office

Airways Park, O. R. Tambo International Airport, Kempton Park, South Africa

Alliance

Star Alliance (member since 2006)

Frequent-flyer program

Voyager

Official website

flysaa.com

South African Airways (SAA) is the flag carrier of South Africa. It took its current name in 1934, when it succeeded Union Airways, and its head office is at Airways Park on the grounds of O. R. Tambo International Airport near Johannesburg. SAA has been a member of Star Alliance since 2006, and its loyalty program is Voyager.

Its main hub is O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, with Cape Town as a secondary base. From there SAA serves about 17 destinations: Cape Town, Durban and Gqeberha within South Africa, cities across southern, central and West Africa, Mauritius, and long-haul routes to São Paulo in Brazil and Perth in Australia. Codeshare agreements with partners such as Emirates and Turkish Airlines extend the network beyond its own routes.

The fleet of about 19 Airbus aircraft combines A320s on domestic and regional routes with A330-300s and A340-300s on long-haul flights.

Network

Where South African Airways flies

Routes and frequencies change with the season. Some flights sold with an SA flight number are operated by codeshare partners; check the "operated by" line when you book.

South Africa

Domestic flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban and Gqeberha.

Southern and central Africa

Regional routes from Johannesburg to Windhoek, Gaborone, Harare, Victoria Falls, Lusaka and Kinshasa.

West Africa

Flights from Johannesburg to Lagos and Accra.

Indian Ocean

Daily flights between Johannesburg and Mauritius.

Brazil and Australia

Long-haul routes from Johannesburg to São Paulo and Perth, plus nonstop flights between Cape Town and São Paulo.

Aircraft

South African Airways fleet

SAA flies an all-Airbus fleet of about 19 aircraft. The aircraft shown at booking is not guaranteed until departure.

Airbus A320

The main type in the fleet, with a two-class Business and Economy layout, used on domestic, regional and Mauritius routes.

Airbus A330-300

Wide-body aircraft for long-haul and higher-demand international routes.

Airbus A340-300

Four-engine wide-body aircraft used on long-haul routes such as Johannesburg–Perth.

On board

South African Airways cabin classes

SAA flights have two cabins. Seat type and onboard service depend on the aircraft and route, so check the seat map and fare conditions before you buy.

Business Class

The premium cabin on all SAA aircraft, with priority services, a larger baggage allowance and lounge access.

Economy Class

The standard cabin. What is included, such as changes and checked baggage, depends on the fare and route.

Before you fly

Practical information

Baggage Cabin bags, checked bags, missing luggage

SAA baggage allowances depend on the cabin, route and Voyager or Star Alliance status.

Carry-on

Economy passengers can bring one carry-on bag and Business Class passengers two, each up to 8 kg and 56 × 36 × 23 cm, plus one small handbag or slim laptop bag up to 30 × 40 × 10 cm.

Checked baggage

On domestic flights, Economy includes one bag of up to 23 kg and Business two bags of up to 32 kg. Economy allowances are higher on routes within Africa and to Brazil and Australia. Each bag must not exceed 158 cm in total dimensions.

Special items

Sports equipment, pets, oversized items and medical equipment follow separate rules. Check the official SAA baggage page before you fly.

Check-in and boarding Steps before departure

Online and mobile check-in on flysaa.com or the SAA app open 24 hours before departure. Airport check-in closes 40 minutes before domestic flights and earlier on international routes, so follow the deadlines shown in your booking.

  1. 1 Confirm

    Confirm the operating airline, airport and terminal.

  2. 2 Documents

    Review passport, visa and entry requirements for your destination.

  3. 3 Check in

    Check in online or in the app as soon as it opens.

  4. 4 Boarding pass

    Download the mobile boarding pass or print it.

  5. 5 Arrive early

    SAA recommends arriving 90 minutes before domestic flights and 2.5 hours before international flights to allow for bag drop, security and immigration.

Lounges

SAA operates lounges at O. R. Tambo International in Johannesburg (international departures, international arrivals and domestic Terminal B) and in the domestic terminals at Cape Town, Durban and Gqeberha. Access depends on cabin, Voyager or Star Alliance status, and some partner cards. Check the location and opening hours before you travel.

Loyalty program

Voyager is SAA's loyalty program, with Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers. Members earn on SAA and Star Alliance flights and with partner cards and businesses, and redeem for flights and upgrades. Program rules change, so check your account for the conditions that apply to your trip.

Flight status and customer service Official sources

For current operational information, use South African Airways' official services:

SAA website

flysaa.com for booking, check-in, trip management and flight status

SAA app

Mobile check-in and boarding passes for SAA flights

Where you land

South African Airways airports

In Johannesburg, SAA international and regional flights use Terminal A at O. R. Tambo International Airport, and domestic flights use Terminal B. Check the airport and terminal on your ticket before you book a transfer.

O.R. Tambo International Airport Hub

JNB · Johannesburg

SAA's main hub and the connecting point for its domestic, regional and long-haul flights. International and regional flights use Terminal A; domestic flights use Terminal B.

Book a transfer Airport details

Cape Town International Airport

CPT · Cape Town

Book a transfer Airport details

São Paulo/Guarulhos–Governor André Franco Montoro International Airport

GRU · São Paulo

Book a transfer Airport details

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport

MRU · Plaine Magnien

Book a transfer Airport details

Perth Airport

PER · Perth

Book a transfer Airport details

Other bases

Cape Town International Airport is a secondary base, with flights to Johannesburg and nonstop service to São Paulo.

Ground transport

Airport transportation for South African Airways passengers

Public transport, authorized taxis, shared shuttles or a pre-booked private transfer. Arriving long-haul or with a lot of luggage is the case for booking ahead: fixed price, and a driver in arrivals with your name on a sign.

Book from JNB →Book from CPT →Book from GRU →Book from MRU →Book from PER →

Airport Transportation is an independent platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by South African Airways.

Questions

South African Airways FAQs

What are South African Airways' airline codes?

South African Airways' IATA code is SA, its ICAO code is SAA, and its callsign is SPRINGBOK.

What is South African Airways' main hub?

O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Cape Town International Airport is a secondary base.

Is South African Airways part of Star Alliance?

Yes. SAA has been a Star Alliance member since 2006.

What is South African Airways' frequent-flyer program?

Voyager.

Which terminal does SAA use in Johannesburg?

At O. R. Tambo International, SAA international and regional flights use Terminal A and domestic flights use Terminal B. Confirm on your boarding pass before travel.

Does South African Airways fly to São Paulo?

Yes. SAA flies to São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) from both Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Does South African Airways fly to Perth?

Yes. SAA flies between Johannesburg and Perth (PER) with Airbus A340-300 aircraft.

Does South African Airways fly to Mauritius?

Yes. SAA flies daily between Johannesburg and Mauritius (MRU).

How big can my SAA carry-on bag be?

Each carry-on bag can be up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm and 8 kg. Economy allows one bag and Business Class two, plus a small handbag or slim laptop bag.

When does SAA online check-in open?

Online and mobile check-in open 24 hours before departure.

Is Airport Transportation affiliated with South African Airways?

No. Airport Transportation is an independent transportation-booking platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by South African Airways.

Information reviewed in October 2026. Airline schedules, fleet figures, baggage rules and passenger services are subject to change.

Star Alliance

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Transfer for South African Airways arrivals

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