South African Airways Baggage Policy

South African Airways’ baggage policy follows the piece concept on all SAA-operated flights except on SA Express and Airlink flights.

Snapshot of South African Airways Baggage Policy

• Your hand baggage allowance will depend on your travel class.
  • Economy Class
    • 1 carry-on bag not exceeding 18lb/8kg in weight and 56cm x 36cm x 23cm in size.
    • 1 personal item such as a small handbag, overcoat, etc.
  • Business Class
    • 2 carry-on bags not exceeding 18lb/8kg in weight and 56cm x 36cm x 23cm in size per bag.
    • 1 personal item such as a small handbag, overcoat, etc.
• The checked baggage allowance on most flights is as follows:
  • Economy Class
    • 1 bag of not exceeding 50lb/23kg in weight and 158cm/62in in combined dimensions.
  • Business Class
    • 2 bags of up to 70lb/32kg per bag in weight and 158cm/62in per bag in combined dimensions.

There are several exceptions, depending on your flight’s route.

• Checked baggage exceeding the following weight and size will not be accepted and must be sent as cargo:
  • Max. weight 70lb/32kg per piece 
  • Max. size 203cm/80in per piece 
• If a journey involves a stopover (except same-day stopover), a different baggage allowance may apply to either side of the stopover.

South African Airways Baggage Allowance
Free Baggage Allowance	Economy Class	Business Class
Hand Baggage	1) Carry-on Bag (1 piece)Max. Weight: 1 x 18lb/8kg Max. Size (L x W x H):56 x 36 x 23cm/22 x 14 x 9in/  The carry-on bag must fit under your front seat or in the overhead bin. 2) Personal Item (1)– Wrap, overcoat, or blanket – Walking stick or umbrella – Lady’s handbag, purse, or beauty case – Infant basket plus food for inflight consumption	1) Carry-on Bag (2 pieces)Max. Weight: 2 x 18lb/8kg Max. Size (L x W x H):56 x 36 x 23cm/22 x 14 x 9in/  Both carry-on bags must fit under your front seat or in the overhead bin. 2) Personal Item (1)– Wrap, overcoat, or blanket – Walking stick or umbrella – Lady’s handbag, purse, or beauty case – Infant basket plus food for inflight consumption
Checked Baggage	Max. Pieces: 1Max. Weight: 50lb/23kgMax. Size: 158cm/62in/bag (L + W + H)	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 70lb/32kgMax. Size: 158cm/62in/bag (L + W + H)
Exceptions to South African Airways Baggage Allowance—Based on Route
Route	Economy Class	Business Class
Within Africa	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 50lb/23kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 70lb/32kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag
Between worldwide – USA, Canada	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 50lb/23kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 70lb/32kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag
From Europe – Africa (excl. the UK)	Max. Pieces: 1Max. Weight: 50lb/23kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 70lb/32kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag
From the Democratic Republic of the Congo/Mozambique to the UK	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 50lb/23kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 70lb/32kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag
Between Africa – UK (not listed above)	Max. Pieces: 1Max. Weight: 50lb/23kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 70lb/32kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag
Between Africa – Asia/Japan where fare component includes travel to/from CAN/HKG or any point in Asia/Japan via HKG	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 50lb/23kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 70lb/32kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag
Between Africa – Asia/Japan where fare component includes travel to/from BJS or any point in China via BJS	Max. Pieces: 1Max. Weight: 50lb/23kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 70lb/32kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag
Between Africa – New Zealand	Max. Pieces: 1Max. Weight: 50lb/23kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 70lb/32kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag
Between Africa – Australia	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 70lb/32kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 70lb/32kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag
Between Africa and the MiddleEast (where the marketing carrier is SA on EK operating flights between JNB – DXB	Per the baggage allowance of the operating carrier.	Per the baggage allowance of the operating carrier.
Between Addis Ababa andMuscat (where the marketing carrier is SA on ET operating flights)	Per the baggage allowance of the operating carrier.	Per the baggage allowance of the operating carrier.
Between Brazil – USA, Europe	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 70lb/32kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 70lb/32kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag
Between Australia and the Middle East	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 50lb/32kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag	Max. Pieces: 2Max. Weight: 70lb/32kgMax. Size 158cm/62in/bag

Extra Baggage Benefits for Voyager Members  

According to South African Airways baggage policy, frequent flyer (SAA Voyager) members are entitled to additional baggage allowance depending on their tier status.

Voyager Tier	Additional Free Baggage Allowance
SAA Voyager Blue Card	None
SAA Voyager Silver Card	1 extra bag of 50lb/23kg, regardless of cabin class
SAA Voyager Gold Card	1 extra bag based on cabin class booked
SAA Voyager Platinum	1 extra bag of 70lb/32kg, regardless of cabin class
SAA Voyager Lifetime Platinum	2 extra bags of 70lb/32kg each, regardless of cabin class
On SAA operated and Star Alliance operated flights – members of SAA Voyager Platinum, Platinum Elect, Lifetime Platinum and SAA Gold, Gold Elect and Star Alliance Gold	1 extra bag based on the cabin class booked
Ecobank Voyager Platinum and Gold Credit Cardholders	1 extra bag (SA operated flights)- 70lb/32kg on Business Class – 50lb/23kg on Economy Class
Unico Voyager Gold and Silver Credit Cardholders	1 extra bag (SA operated flights)- 70lb/32kg on Business Class – 50lb/23kg on Economy Class
Star Alliance Round-the-World Travelers	– First Class: 2 bags with a total weight of 88lb/40kg- Business Class: 2 bags with a total weight of 66lb/30kg- Economy Class: 1 bag with a total weight of 44lb/20kg

Children’s Baggage Allowance 

Children (incl. infants) who pay at least 50% of the adult fare are entitled to the same baggage allowance as adults. 

Infants’ Baggage Allowance

Lap infants are entitled to a baggage allowance of 1 bag weighing up to 50lb/23kg plus 1 car seat and 1 collapsible pushchair.

South African Airways Excess and Overweight Baggage Fees 

South African Airways’ excess baggage fees

A photograph showing excess baggage on South African Airways

Passengers are allowed up to 3 bags above their free baggage allowance—with the following exceptions: 

• Sao Paulo—up to a total of 10 pieces. 
• Between Johannesburg – Accra, Lagos—up to a total of 50 pieces.

Additional pieces will have to be sent by cargo.

You will be charged excess baggage fee for:

• Each extra baggage piece over and your free baggage allowance.
• Each overweight baggage piece not exceeding the maximum weight limit of 70lb/32kg per bag.
• Each oversized baggage piece not exceeding the maximum weight limit of 203cm/80in per bag.

The excess baggage fee applies to each limit exceeded in terms of piece, weight, and size. If your checked bag is oversized and overweight, you will be charged an oversized as well as overweight baggage fee. 

Excess Baggage Fee by Piece 

Route	Economy Class Fee/Piece	Business Class Fee/Piece
Domestic destinations (within South Africa)	ZAR 292.55	ZAR 393.42
New York, Washington – Africa via Johannesburg	USD 200	USD 200
USA – Africa (except Alaska, Hawaii)	Others: USD 250 Accra/Dakar direct: USD 200	Others: USD 250 Accra/Dakar direct: USD 200
Between Africa & Hawaii, Mexico & Alaska	Others: USD 400 Accra/Dakar direct: USD 350	Others: USD 400 Accra/Dakar direct: USD 350
Between Canada & Africa	Eastern Canada: USD 250 Western Canada: USD 250	Eastern Canada: USD 300 Western Canada: USD 300
Between Washington/New York and Australia – via Johannesburg	USD 400	USD 400
Between Africa & Brazil – via Johannesburg	Others: USD 160 South Africa, Namibia: USD 140	Others: USD 160 South Africa, Namibia: USD 140
Between UK/Europe and South Africa via Johannesburg	London: GBP 120
Between Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, New Zealand, China, and South Africa via Johannesburg	USD 130 – 200	USD 205 – 260
Between UK/Europe and Africa via Johannesburg	GBP 90 – 180	USD 150 – 190
Between Africa – India / Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, and Jakarta	USD 180 – 250	USD 180 – 250
Between UK & Australia via Johannesburg	Australia – UK: AUD 450London – Australia: GBP 240	Australia – UK: AUD 450London – Australia: GBP 240
Between Africa – Middle East	USD 170 – 230	USD 170 – 230
Between South Africa & Africa via Johannesburg	USD 20 – 60	USD 40 – 80
Within Africa – via Johannesburg	USD 45 – 90	USD 75 – 90

• Call Baggage Services at 27 11 978 3733
• E-mail Baggage Enquiries to Baggageservices@flysaa.com

How to Pre-pay for Baggage Online 

Use the Manage My Booking feature to purchase extra baggage online 

You can easily purchase extra baggage online as shown below:

1. Go to FlySAA.com
2. From Manage & Fly (on top), select Manage My Booking
3. Enter your booking reference number and surname 
4. Click on the Log in button
5. Select your flight 
6. Add more baggage by following the prompts

South African Airways Sports Equipment Policy

South African Airways sports baggage policy allows you to travel with sporting equipment as part of your free baggage allowance on all SAA-operated flights. If you exceed your allowance by weight, size, or piece, excess baggage charges will apply.

Any sporting equipment exceeding 200cm—such as hang-gliders, kayaks, windsurfing equipment, and canoes—will only be accepted cargo per applicable cargo rates. 

The sporting equipment listed below will count as 1 additional piece on all SAA-operated flights (excluding SAA 1000, 2000, 7000, and 8000 series). Unless specified, the maximum weight must not exceed 50lb/23kg and the maximum dimensions must not exceed 200cm.

Angling Equipment	Golf Equipment	Rock Climbing Equipment, such as rope bags, bouldering mats, helmets, climbing harnesses, crash pads, etc.
Archery	Horse Riding Equipment, such as helmet, saddles (wrapped), and stirrups (tied)	Rugby
Athletic (Track and Field)	Ice and Field Hockey	Sailing Equipment, such as dry/wet sailing suits, water boots, life jackets, blocks, ropes, pulleys, paddles, sails, and empty water bottles.
Basketball	Motorcycle gear, such as a helmet, protective gear, etc.	Snow/Water ski equipment
Baseball/Softball	Motorsport gear, such as a helmet, riding gear, etc.	Surfboards, Kite Surfing, and Paragliding
Bowls	Parachuting equipment, incl. helmet	Soccer/Football
Cricket	Polo Cross gear, such as a helmet, sticks, balls, etc.	Tennis/Squash
Cycling	Swimming	Volleyball
Diving/Scuba Equipment (only empty scuba tanks will be accepted)	Lacrosse	Ten Pin Bowling Equipment
Fencing	Netball

The sports equipment not mentioned above can be carried as part of your free baggage allowance. It will be subject to the standard excess baggage fees if it exceeds your free baggage allowance. 

Firearms and Ammunition

• A handling fee will be charged for hunting/shooting firearms.
  • Within South Africa USD 25 (incl. VAT)
  • Within Africa USD 45
  • International USD 65
    (excl. Munich/Frankfurt – Johannesburg)
  • Munich/Frankfurt – Johannesburg EUR 150
• Up to 11lb/5kg per firearm will be accepted free of charge when packed separately per regulations. 
• You must notify in advance and obtain approval before traveling by contacting SAA at the numbers below:

The United States Canada  South Africa +27 11 978 1111/ 0861 606 606 India +91 22 62376222Indonesia 62 21 290 79787Ireland 0844 375 9680/ +44 (0)20 8576 5500Israel +97 237951344Japan +61 1 300 435 972Netherlands +31 206551177Singapore +65 622 7 7911Thailand +66 2 635 1413/2 635 1414UAE +971 (0)4/ 3970 766/ (0)50/ 6578923

Egypt +202 257 95008Kenya +254 20 665 5000Lesotho +266 310662Mauritius +230 202 6737Mozambique 09258 214 88970/3 09258 844 889700Namibia +264 61 273340/50Nigeria +234 12702681-4Tanzania + 255 22 2117045–7Uganda +254 20 665 5000Zambia +260 211 254350/ 211 252408Zimbabwe +263 8677 702 702 UK 0844 375 9680/ +44 (0)20 8576 5500

Note

• You can carry sporting equipment on all South African Airways (SAA) operated flights. 
• This does not apply to:
  • Codeshare flights 
  • Flight series 1000-2999 and 7000-8999
• You may be charged excess baggage rates during special events.
• If sporting equipment includes balls, they must be deflated.

Special Baggage 

Per South African Airways’ baggage policy, special baggage items include: 

1. Fragile or valuable items 
2. Items with sentimental value 
3. Musical instruments 
4. Pets 
5. Zamzam or seawater
6. Sports equipment 

Fragile and valuable items should not be checked in but carried as hand baggage items. Alternatively, you can purchase an additional seat and bring your special baggage item with you to the cabin. 

Examples of special baggage items

Special items can include (but are not limited to):

• Fragile musical instruments 
• Zamzam water or seawater
  • Up to 1.5 liters 
  • Must be properly sealed to prevent leakage
• Delicate sports equipment 
• Diplomatic bags, valuable documents, artworks, urns, etc.

Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs)

When traveling with a POC, remember the following:

• You can carry your own (pre-approved) POC free of charge. 
• Your POC device must be battery-operated.
• You can rent SAA’s POCs for USD 150 (oxygen supply flow rate: 1–5LPM).
• Your POC’s batteries must be fully charged to power it for at least 150% of the flight’s duration.
• Spare batteries must be suitably protected to prevent short-circuiting and carried as hand baggage.
• You can carry up to 3 batteries onboard—2 spares plus 1 in the device. 
• Per-battery power must not exceed 160wH.
• Your POC cannot be plugged into the inflight laptop power supply. 

How to Pay Your Baggage Fee on South African Airways  

You can pay your baggage fee: 

• Online at the time of booking your flight 
• After booking your flight—through Manage My Booking 
• At the airport when checking in 

South African Airways Musical Instruments Policy

Per South African Airways’ musical instruments policy, you can carry your musical instrument as part of your hand baggage or checked baggage, or on a paid seat. 

1. Musical Instrument as Hand Baggage 

You can bring a small musical instrument as part of your hand baggage allowance—provided it fits in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you and does not exceed the following weight and size limits:

• Max. weight (incl. case 18lb/8kg
• Max. combined dimensions (L + W + H) 115cm 

Examples

Clarinet, flute, oboe, trumpet, shaped violin.

2. Musical Instrument as Checked Baggage 

You can check in large musical instruments like guitars and cellos which exceed your hand baggage allowance, provided you pack them safely in a hard case. Checked musical instruments (incl. case) will be subject to the same weight and size restrictions that apply to your fare type. For details, refer to the table titled South African Airways Baggage Allowance.

Examples. Rectangular violin, rectangular viola, saxophone, guitar, French horn, double bass, contrabassoon, cello, bass trombone, banjo, small bassoon, bass tuba. 

3. Musical Instrument on a Paid Seat

You can also buy an additional seat for your musical instrument (such as a guitar or a cello) if you don’t want to check it in. The maximum permissible weight is 165lb/75kg. 

How to buy an extra seat for your musical instrument

• Book in advance by phone.
• Provide the weight and sizes details.  
• The seat charges will be on a discounted basis (base fare without taxes)

Examples. Rectangular violin, rectangular viola, saxophone, guitar, French horn, double bass, contrabassoon, cello, bass trombone, banjo, small bassoon, bass tuba. 

Oversized Musical Instruments 

If your musical instrument or equipment exceeds the weight and/or size limits mentioned above, you will have to pay excess baggage charges.

What to Do If Your Baggage is Delayed, Lost, or Damaged

Delayed or Damaged Baggage 

If your checked baggage has been delayed or damaged, you must report it immediately (but no later than 7 days) at the airport’s Baggage Enquiries Desk.  After you file a report, you will be given a file reference number that you will need to trace your bag(s) or file your claim.

After filing your report, you can: 

• Call the Baggage Services Call Center at the number provided in your report.
• E-mail Baggageservices@flysaa.com. 
• Check the status of your delayed bag online

How to Make a Claim for Damaged, Delayed, or Lost Bag(s)

If your baggage is damaged, delayed, or missing, you must:

1. Report the problem immediately— but no later than 7 days. You will receive a unique file reporting number.
2. Submit your claim. Fill out the claim form and provide a copy of the bag tag to FLLBagClaims@flysaal.com. It can take up to 21 working days to settle your claim. 

For assistance or questions, contact 954-769-5025.

South African Airways’ Liability for Lost and Damaged Bags

South African Airways’ liability for lost, damaged, or delayed bags (including contents) is limited to the amounts mentioned below unless you have already declared a higher value and paid additional charges in advance. 

• Liability for trips governed by the Warsaw Convention. If your journey is covered by the Warsaw Convention, South African Airways’ liability will be limited to SDR 19/kg/per passenger (approx. USD 13.19).
  
• Liability for trips governed by the Montreal Convention. If your journey is governed by the Montreal Convention, South African Airways’ liability will be limited to SDR 1,131/passenger (approx. USD 1,627). 

Prohibited Items

South African Airways baggage policy does not allow the following items to be transported as carry-on or checked baggage for safety reasons:

• Disabling devices with irritant or incapacitating substances
  (mace/pepper sprays)
• Flammable solids and liquids 
• Fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices
• Explosives and incendiary substances/devices
• Toxic substances
• Smoke-generating cartridges and canisters 
• Radioactive materials
• Oxidizing materials
• Organic peroxides
• Magnetized materials
• Hoverboards
• Infectious substances
• Grenades and other explosive military stores
• Gases
• Engines Mines
• Dynamite, gunpowder, and plastic explosives
• Detonators and fuses
• Corrosives
• Blasting caps
• Asbestos

These Must be Sent as Cargo Items 

The following items cannot be carried as baggage on board—they must be transported as cargo baggage:

• Motorcycle and car parts
• Plasma screens
• TVs
• Toy guns
  (must be checked in at the Firearms Desk)

For more information, refer to the Restricted Baggage Items and Dangerous Goods page on the South African Airways website.

Liquids and Powders in Hand Baggage

• On international flights, there’s a limit to the amount of liquids, aerosols, and gels (LAGs) that you can carry in your hand baggage. Examples include pastes, lotions, creams, drinks, and other items of similar consistency. No single item should exceed 3.4oz (100ml) per passenger. All LAGs must be packed in a re-sealable plastic bag measuring 20cm x 20cm.
  
• Powdered substances like coffee, powdered milk, spices, etc., must not exceed 12oz (350ml)—roughly the size of a soda can—in hand baggage. However, larger quantities can be taken in a checked bag.

In case of flights departing from Australia (incl. transit passengers):

• Organic powders such as baby formula, sugar, coffee, etc., are not restricted. However, they must be separated for screening from the remaining carry-on baggage. 
• Inorganic powders like salt, makeup, talcum powder, and sand must be in containers not exceeding 350ml/gm/passenger. 

Exemptions 

The following liquids and powders are allowed in hand baggage:

• Baby products incl. dietary requirements 
• Prescription medications 
• Special dietary foods for onboard consumption 
• A deceased person’s ashes in an urn, subject to conditions 
• Cosmetics (non-liquid) such as lipsticks, solid deodorants, and powder foundation

Restricted Baggage Items

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers 
  • Can be taken in carry-on and checked baggage for own consumption. 
  • Must be packed per LAG (Liquids, Aerosols, Gels) regulations described on this page. 
  • The total net quantity must not be more than 2 liters/2kg per passenger—subject to no single article exceeding 0.5 liters/0.5kg. 
  • A cap or other suitable mechanism must protect the release valves from the inadvertent release of the contents. 
• Firecrackers 
  • 1 standard-sized packet of Christmas crackers/poppers is allowed in checked baggage. 
  • A single packet must not contain more than 12 crackers.  
  • The crackers must be commercially manufactured and sealed in original retail packaging. 
  • Homemade crackers are strictly prohibited.
• Inflatable fly-tot cushions for children cannot be used onboard.
• Dry ice
  • Solid, carbon dioxide dry ice is permitted up to 5lb/2.5kg if used for packing perishable items that do not fall under Dangerous Goods Regulations. The package must permit the release of gas. 
  • If transported as checked baggage, it must be marked as follows: Carbon Dioxide, Solid or Dry Ice, along with the net weight, or an indication that the net weight is less than 5lb/2.5kg.
• E-cigarettes
  • Electronic cigarettes are allowed on board as cabin or checked baggage items. 
  • If carrying in a checked bag, the lithium-ion batteries must be removed for safety.
  • E-cigarettes cannot be used on any flight. 
• Lithium-ion batteries
  • Batteries exceeding 160wH are prohibited—incl. power tools, electric mobility devices, underwater lamps, etc.
  • Batteries with 100–160wH (>2g and <8g) can be carried subject to airline approval.
    • Must be in original packaging, or 
    • The terminals must be protected from short-circuiting and damage.
    • Max. 2 allowed per person.

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Frequently Asked Questions on South African Airways Baggage Policy