Airline codes
SA · SAA
IATA · ICAO · callsign “SPRINGBOK”
Look for SA in front of the number on your ticket: that prefix marks a flight sold under the SAA code. Enter SA and the number to follow a SAA departure.
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South African Airways (SA) Guide
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Flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town across Africa and to Perth and São Paulo, fleet and cabins, baggage, check-in and how to find cheaper SAA fares. Ask a question
In short
South African Airways is the flag carrier of South Africa, based at O. R. Tambo International in Johannesburg. It flies to about 17 destinations in South Africa and Southern and West Africa, plus Perth and São Paulo. SAA is a Star Alliance member and runs Voyager. Cabins are Business and Economy, and cabin baggage depends on the fare.
South African Airways is South Africa’s national airline. It stopped flying in 2020 during a business rescue and restarted in September 2021 with a much smaller network.
Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with South African Airways. Routes, schedules and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.
What to expect
South African Airways (SAA) is the state-owned flag carrier of South Africa, based at O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg with a second hub in Cape Town. It flies about 18 destinations, mostly in southern and central Africa plus São Paulo and Perth, and suits travellers who want a Star Alliance airline for trips within the region or onward connections through Johannesburg.
From Union Airways to SAA
SAA traces back to Union Airways, founded in 1929. The South African government bought that company and formed South African Airways on 1 February 1934. Flights stopped in May 1940 during the Second World War and resumed after it. The airline brought in Lockheed Constellations in 1950, Boeing 707s in 1960 and Boeing 747s from 1971.
The apartheid years
International opposition to apartheid shaped SAA's routes for decades. Many African states refused it overflight rights, so flights to Europe took long detours around the continent, and the US Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 banned South African-owned airlines from American airports.
Collapse and restart
After years of state bailouts, SAA entered business rescue in December 2019. Government funding stopped in April 2020 and flights were suspended in September 2020. The state put in 10.5 billion rand in October 2020 to fund a turnaround, and the regulator reissued SAA's operating certificate in August 2021 with eight approved aircraft. Flights resumed on 23 September 2021.
A plan for the Takatso Consortium to take 51 percent, announced in June 2021, was dropped after nearly three years of talks, leaving SAA fully state-owned. The airline returned to profit in its 2024 financial year, and for 2025 reported revenue of 8.84 billion rand, a net profit of 155 million rand and 3,422 staff.
What happens next for SAA?
Chief executive John Lamola resigned in April 2026 and Matshela Seshibe became acting CEO. In October 2026 the National Treasury said SAA must find a buyer by February 2027 and that no new state money would come beyond an existing loan guarantee of 1 billion rand. Travellers booking far ahead should keep an eye on news about the sale.
Where does SAA fly?
The network covers domestic trunk routes between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, regional routes to cities such as Windhoek, Victoria Falls and destinations in Malawi, and long-haul flights to São Paulo in Brazil and Perth in Australia. Regional affiliate Airlink connects with SAA on many smaller southern African routes.
The first African member of Star Alliance
SAA joined Star Alliance in April 2006, the first African airline in one of the three global alliances. Passengers can connect onto partner networks in Johannesburg and earn or spend miles across member airlines.
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Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change
Checked against trusted sources:
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Good to know
- Founded1934
- Other gatewaysCPT
- Online check-inYes
Everything you should know
At a glance
South African Airways (IATA: SA, ICAO: SAA) is the flag carrier of South Africa, founded in 1934 and based at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. A Star Alliance member, it flies about 19 Airbus aircraft to around 17 destinations in Africa, plus Perth and São Paulo.
| Headquarters | Airways Park, O. R. Tambo International Airport, Gauteng |
|---|---|
| Fleet types | Airbus A320, A330-300, A340-300 |
| Frequent flyer | Voyager |
| Official website | flysaa.com |
Flight routes
Destinations and routes
SAA serves the places below according to its published network. Routes are added, paused and rescheduled, so confirm the current SAA timetable when you search.
Search flights
South Africa
Johannesburg (JNB) departures2 destinations
FromTo JNB CPT JohannesburgCape Town Available airlines1 airline- South African Airways
FromTo JNB DUR JohannesburgDurban Available airlines1 airline- South African Airways
Africa
Johannesburg (JNB) departures10 destinations
FromTo JNB ACC JohannesburgAccra Available airlines1 airline- South African Airways
FromTo JNB LOS JohannesburgLagos Available airlines1 airline- South African Airways
FromTo JNB FIH JohannesburgKinshasa Available airlines1 airline- South African Airways
FromTo JNB HRE JohannesburgHarare Available airlines1 airline- South African Airways
FromTo JNB LUN JohannesburgLusaka Available airlines1 airline- South African Airways
FromTo JNB VFA JohannesburgVictoria Falls Available airlines1 airline- South African Airways
FromTo JNB WDH JohannesburgWindhoek Available airlines1 airline- South African Airways
FromTo JNB LLW JohannesburgLilongwe Available airlines1 airline- South African Airways
FromTo JNB MRU JohannesburgMauritius Available airlines1 airline- South African Airways
FromTo JNB MPM JohannesburgMaputo Available airlines1 airline- South African Airways
Long-haul
Johannesburg (JNB) departures3 destinations
FromTo JNB PER JohannesburgPerth Available airlines1 airline- South African Airways
FromTo JNB GRU JohannesburgSão Paulo Available airlines1 airline- South African Airways
FromTo JNB LHR JohannesburgLondon Heathrow Airport (LHR) Available airlines1 airline- South African Airways
Fleet and aircraft
SAA flies 19 Airbus aircraft: 15 A320-200s on domestic and regional routes, and two A330-300s and two A340-300s on long-haul routes. A modest increase to 21 aircraft is planned. There are two cabins, Business and Economy. Long-haul Business seats on the A330 and A340 are set out in a 2-2-2 layout.
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Airbus A330-300 Wide-body · 2 Long-haul and busy regional routes
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Airbus A340-300 Wide-body · 2 Long-haul routes
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Airbus A320-200 Narrow-body · 15 Domestic and regional African routes
Cabin classes
Two cabins.
Economy All flights
Full service
MealsChecked bag included
Business All aircraft
Flat beds on wide-bodies
Lounge accessPriority servicesExtra baggage
Voyager
SAA’s frequent flyer programme, with Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers.
Voyager is the SAA frequent flyer programme. Members earn miles on SAA and eligible Star Alliance flights and redeem them for award travel and upgrades.
Baggage allowance
SAA does not give every passenger the same allowance: the route, the cabin and the fare you buy each change it. Your SA e-ticket shows what you have.
Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Depends on fare
Extra bags
Cheaper before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only
Allowances depend on route, cabin and fare; long-haul and regional routes often use a piece concept. Check your e-ticket.
Pro tip: SAA's network has changed several times since 2021, so check the current route map before planning connections. Baggage allowances depend on the route and fare, so confirm yours in the booking details or on the baggage page of flysaa.com.
Travel day
Online Check-in
Here is the order to follow for an SA 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 flysaa.com 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 SAA flight. Domestic SA passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.
Passport · visa · ID -
Step 3
Arrive early
Each airport has its own SAA check-in and bag-drop deadline, listed in your booking. Allow extra time for busy terminals and international SA departures.
Well before departure -
Step 4
Drop your bags
At the airport, take your bags to the SAA bag-drop point. Collect a printed SA boarding pass there if you have not saved one to your phone.
SAA counter
Ready to check in?
Check in and manage your booking on the official SAA website.
Save money
Cheap tickets
Ways to pay less for a SAA ticket, from the dates you choose to the fare type you buy.
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01
Be flexible with your SAA dates
Compare a full week of SAA departures; midweek days are often priced below Fridays and Sundays.
Midweek flights -
02
Avoid peak seasons
December–January, South Africa’s main summer holiday, is the busiest and most expensive period.
December holidays -
03
Price the bundle, not the base fare
Look at the next SAA fare up: if it bundles a hold bag or easier changes, it may beat the basic fare plus extras.
Baggage & changes -
Ready to compare fares?
Search SAA alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.
Search SAA flights
Reviews and questions
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Visitors are asking
Yes. SAA restarted operations in September 2021 after its business rescue and continues to rebuild its network.
Yes. South African Airways has been a Star Alliance member since 2006.
Yes, within the rules of your fare. Basic SA fares are the most restrictive, so check the fare conditions first and change the booking through SAA or your travel agent.
On an infant ticket, a child under two usually flies on an adult’s lap. Add the baby when you book with SAA and check what it allows for prams and car seats.
Enter your SA flight number on flysaa.com or in the app, or watch the departure boards at the airport.
Still looking?
Get an answer from the bookingMentor travel team and travellers who have flown SAA.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Everything travellers ask before flying South African Airways.
Answers checked against SAA’s official sources and public aviation references, and reviewed each season.
General
Yes. South African Airways has been a member of Star Alliance since April 2006. Travellers can earn and redeem miles on partner airlines and connect to the wider Star Alliance network, subject to the rules of each fare and programme.
Johannesburg's O. R. Tambo is the main hub and handles most connections. Cape Town International works as a secondary base, with flights linking the two cities and a number of regional destinations.
SAA offers Business Class and Economy Class. On long-haul Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft, business seats use a 2-2-2 layout, while the A320 used on shorter routes has a 2-2 business layout.
The South African Airways loyalty programme is called Voyager. Members earn miles on SAA flights and on eligible flights with Star Alliance partners, and can use them for award tickets and upgrades according to the programme rules.
Your baggage allowance depends on the route, cabin and fare type. Look at the allowance shown in your booking confirmation or use the baggage section of the official SAA website before you travel, especially if your trip includes partner airlines.
The South African government owns 100 percent of SAA. In October 2026 the National Treasury said a buyer must be found by February 2027.
SAA returned to profit in its 2024 financial year and reported a net profit of 155 million rand for 2025.
Contact South African Airways through its official website, flysaa.com.
Getting there
South African Airways resumed flights on 23 September 2021, a year after it suspended operations during business rescue.
South African Airways uses the IATA code SA and the ICAO code SAA. Its radio callsign is SPRINGBOK.
Online check-in: yes. Check in on flysaa.com. The Check-in section of this guide walks through it in 4 steps.
Booking
SAA flies 19 Airbus aircraft: 15 A320-200s, two A330-300s and two A340-300s.
South African Airways flies to about 17 destinations. They are listed by region, with fares and route guides where we have them, in the destinations section of this page.
Timing & weather
SAA joined Star Alliance in April 2006, the first African airline to join a global alliance.
South African Airways was founded in 1934, 92 years ago.