Airline codes
FA · SFR
IATA · ICAO · callsign “SAFAIR”
Every FlySafair flight number begins with FA. Flight-tracking sites and air traffic control use the ICAO code SFR, and the radio callsign is SAFAIR.
FlySafair (FA) Guide
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Airline
Low-cost flights between South Africa’s main cities and to nearby countries, fleet, fares, baggage, check-in and how to find cheaper FlySafair fares. Ask a question
In short
FlySafair is a South African low-cost airline headquartered in Kempton Park, with bases in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Boeing 737-800s fly to about 15 destinations, ten South African cities plus Southern and East Africa, so it fits cheap domestic trips. FlySafair is not in an alliance and lists no loyalty scheme. All seats are Economy.
FlySafair is a South African low-cost airline known for strong on-time performance on domestic routes.
Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with FlySafair. Routes, schedules and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.
What to expect
FlySafair is a South African low-cost airline run by Safair Operations, with bases at Johannesburg O. R. Tambo (JNB), Johannesburg Lanseria (HLA), Cape Town (CPT) and Durban King Shaka (DUR). It flies Boeing 737-800s to 15 destinations in South Africa and nearby countries, and suits travellers who want cheap, punctual domestic flights and will pay separately for bags and seats.
Safair and the launch of FlySafair
Safair began in 1965 as a charter operator and became known for cargo and aircraft leasing. It set up the FlySafair brand in August 2013, and the first FlySafair flight took off on 16 October 2014, flying under Safair's IATA code FA. It is often described as South Africa's first true low-cost carrier. The chief executive is Elmar Conradie, and the airline employs about 1,700 people.
Who owns FlySafair?
The shareholding is split between the Safair Investment Trust with 49.86 percent, the employee vehicle B4I Safair with 25.14 percent and Safair Holdings with 25 percent, ultimately owned by Ireland's ASL Aviation Holdings.
The Harith sale
In February 2026 the South African investment firm Harith General Partners agreed to buy FlySafair. The Competition Commission recommended approval with conditions in July 2026, rival CemAir tried to block the deal in August, and in October 2026 the Competition Tribunal approved the purchase of 100 percent, with completion expected by the end of 2026. Day-to-day flying has continued as normal.
How big is FlySafair?
By early 2026 FlySafair held more than 60 percent of South Africa's domestic seat capacity, making it the country's largest domestic airline by seats. Its domestic network links its four bases with Bloemfontein, East London, George, Gqeberha, Hoedspruit and Mbombela. International routes reach Mauritius, Windhoek in Namibia, Zanzibar in Tanzania, and Harare and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Punctuality and awards
FlySafair is one of the most punctual airlines in its region. Cirium's 2025 review gave it 91.06 percent on-time arrivals, the best figure in the Middle East and Africa. Skytrax named it the best low-cost airline in Africa in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025 and 2026.
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Good to know
- AllianceNone
- Founded2013
- Other gatewaysCPT / DUR / HLA
- Online check-inYes
Everything you should know
At a glance
FlySafair (IATA: FA, ICAO: SFR) is a South African low-cost airline founded in 2013 and headquartered in Kempton Park, with bases in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. It flies about 36 Boeing 737-800s to around 15 destinations in South Africa and nearby countries.
| Headquarters | Kempton Park, South Africa |
|---|---|
| Fleet types | Boeing 737-800 |
| Official website | flysafair.co.za |
Flight routes
Destinations and routes
The FlySafair network at a glance. The airline changes routes from time to time, and a search shows which FA flights run on your dates.
Search flights
South Africa
Johannesburg (JNB) departures6 destinations
FromTo JNB CPT JohannesburgCape Town Available airlines1 airline- FlySafair
FromTo JNB DUR JohannesburgDurban Available airlines1 airline- FlySafair
FromTo JNB PLZ JohannesburgGqeberha Available airlines1 airline- FlySafair
FromTo JNB GRJ JohannesburgGeorge Available airlines1 airline- FlySafair
FromTo JNB ELS JohannesburgEast London Available airlines1 airline- FlySafair
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Johannesburg (JNB/HLA)
International
Johannesburg (JNB) departures5 destinations
FromTo JNB MRU JohannesburgMauritius Available airlines1 airline- FlySafair
FromTo JNB ZNZ JohannesburgZanzibar Available airlines1 airline- FlySafair
FromTo JNB WDH JohannesburgWindhoek Available airlines1 airline- FlySafair
FromTo JNB VFA JohannesburgVictoria Falls Available airlines1 airline- FlySafair
FromTo JNB HRE JohannesburgHarare Available airlines1 airline- FlySafair
Fleet and aircraft
FlySafair flies one aircraft type, the Boeing 737-800, with 36 in service in 2026 and one more on order. Each carries 189 passengers in a single Economy cabin.
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Boeing 737-800 Narrow-body · 36 All routes, 189 seats
Cabin classes
FlySafair sells a basic fare and charges for extras. On domestic flights, food and drinks are sold on board and cards are accepted; on international routes a pre-packed meal is included. The airline is not in an alliance but has interline agreements with Air France, KLM, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines, which lets long-haul passengers connect onto its domestic flights.
Economy All flights
Low fares, paid extras
Cabin bagOptional checked bagOptional seatFood for purchase
Frequent flyer programme
Details of the FlySafair loyalty programme are being added
Add your membership number when you book to earn miles.
Baggage allowance
Check your e-ticket for the exact FlySafair allowance. It is set by the fare type, the cabin and the route, whether you start at JNB or another airport.
Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Depends on fare
Extra bags
Cheaper before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only
The basic fare includes a cabin bag; checked baggage is an extra you add when booking. Check your booking.
Pro tip: Checked baggage and seat selection are extras, and they cost less when added during booking than at the airport. Confirm what your fare includes on flysafair.co.za and check in online to save time.
Travel day
Online Check-in
Here is the order to follow for an FA flight: check in, sort your documents, meet the airport deadline and drop your bags.
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Step 1
Check in online
Where your flight allows it, check in on flysafair.co.za or app with your surname and booking reference or e-ticket number.
Booking ref + surname -
Step 2
Prepare your documents
Before leaving for the airport, check that your passport is valid and that you hold any visa or entry document needed at the other end of your FlySafair flight. Domestic FA passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.
Passport · visa · ID -
Step 3
Arrive early
Get to the airport with time for FlySafair check-in, bag drop and security. The airline sets a deadline for each airport, shown in your booking, and late arrivals can lose their seat.
Well before departure -
Step 4
Drop your bags
At the airport, take your bags to the FlySafair bag-drop point. Collect a printed FA boarding pass there if you have not saved one to your phone.
FlySafair counter
Ready to check in?
Check in and manage your booking on the official FlySafair website.
Save money
Cheap tickets
How to find a cheaper FlySafair fare without giving up the bag or seat you need.
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01
Be flexible with your FlySafair dates
FlySafair fares are often lower on midweek departures. Search a spread of dates around your trip to find the cheaper days.
Midweek flights -
02
Avoid peak seasons
December holidays and Easter are the busiest times on South African domestic routes.
December & Easter -
03
Compare FlySafair fare types
A FlySafair fare that includes a checked bag, seat choice or cheaper changes can cost less overall than adding those extras later.
Baggage & changes -
Ready to compare fares?
Search FlySafair alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.
Search FlySafair flights
Reviews and questions
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Visitors are asking
Yes. The basic fare covers the seat and a cabin bag; checked bags and seats are extras.
Yes. It flies to Mauritius, Zanzibar, Windhoek, Victoria Falls and Harare.
Change rules come with each FlySafair fare, and the lowest ones allow the least. Make changes through the airline or whoever sold you the ticket.
Babies under two can normally sit on a parent’s lap with an infant ticket on FlySafair. Include them in the booking and read the airline’s rules on prams and car seats before you go.
Type the FA flight number into the status page on flysafair.co.za, the app or a flight tracker.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Everything travellers ask before flying FlySafair.
Checked against flysafair.co.za and public aviation references, with a review each season.
General
FlySafair is operated by Safair, a South African aviation company founded in 1965. Safair launched FlySafair as its low-cost passenger brand, with the first flight on 16 October 2014. Flights use the FA airline code.
Mostly within South Africa, between Johannesburg (O. R. Tambo and Lanseria), Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, George, East London and Bloemfontein. A smaller set of international routes reaches neighbouring countries and the islands of Mauritius and Zanzibar.
FlySafair flies an all Boeing 737-800 fleet. Each aircraft has 189 seats in one economy cabin. Its older Boeing 737-400 aircraft have been retired.
Yes. Cirium's 2025 review gave FlySafair 91.06 percent on-time arrivals, the best in the Middle East and Africa.
Harith General Partners agreed to buy FlySafair in February 2026. The Competition Tribunal approved the deal in October 2026.
FlySafair is headquartered in Kempton Park, South Africa. Its main hub is O. R. Tambo International.
FlySafair offers Economy class.
Getting there
No. FlySafair is a low-cost airline and is not part of any global airline alliance. Tickets are sold point to point, so plan enough time if you connect to another airline on a separate booking.
FlySafair has interline agreements with Air France, KLM, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.
FlySafair uses the IATA code FA and the ICAO code SFR. Its radio callsign is SAFAIR.
Online check-in: yes. Check in on flysafair.co.za. The Check-in section of this guide walks through it in 4 steps.
What's included
FlySafair sells a basic fare and charges for many extras, so checked baggage may not be included. Check what your fare covers on the FlySafair website and add bags during booking, as airport prices are usually higher.
Booking
FlySafair had 36 Boeing 737-800s in 2026, each with 189 seats, and one more on order.
Timing & weather
FlySafair's first flight took off on 16 October 2014.
FlySafair was founded in 2013, 13 years ago.
