The flag carrier airline of South Africa has a lenient baggage policy, but what is South African Airways baggage allowance? And how strict is SAA with carry-on baggage?
The following information will provide everything about SAA luggage rules and regulations.
Let’s find out.
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What is SAA Cabin Baggage Allowance?
Standard hand baggage allowance:
Business class Guests are allowed to have 2 pieces of hand luggage not exceeding 8kg per piece. and a Max dimensions per piece of 56cm (l) 36cm (w) 23cm (h)
In addition to 2 pieces of hand luggage, Business class Guests are also allowed to carry one Personal item that can be a small handbag or small laptop bag.
Economy class Guests are entitled to have one piece of carry on baggage not exceeding 8kg with a max dimension(size) of 56cm (l) 36cm (w) 23cm (h)
In addition one carry on bag Economy class guests are also allowed to have one personal item that can be a small handbag or small laptop bag.
How strict is South African Airways with carry on baggage?
If your hand baggage does not conform to the size specified, you may be denied entry into the departure area or directed back to the check-in desks.
All hand baggage must fit either under the seat in front of you or in one of the overhead lockers. Hand baggage must not obstruct emergency exits or aisles.
Larger laptop bags and standard/bulkier briefcases are not considered a personal item and count towards your standard hand baggage allowance.
Star Alliance Gold members on either SAA or any Star Alliance partner operated flights will also be entitled to the above carry-on items.
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SAA Checked baggage Allowance
Standard Checked baggage allowance
Guests traveling to to/from Canada and the U.S.:
- Free Baggage Allowance: 2 pieces
- Maximum Dimensions: 62 linear inches/157 cm (length + width + height)
- Maximum Weight for Economy Class passengers: 50 lb/23 kg
- Maximum Weight for First and Business Class passengers: 70 lb/32 kg
- *Star Alliance Gold and Voyager members are allowed additional baggage.
Guests traveling in most other destinations:
- Maximum Weight for Economy Class Passengers: 44 lb/20 kg total
- Maximum Weight for Business Class Passengers: 66 lb/30 kg total
- Maximum Weight for First Class Passengers: 88 lb/40 kg total
- *Star Alliance Gold and Voyager members are allowed additional baggage.
Please note That exceptions are applied based upon certain destinations and booking tickets. South African airways advise to also take note of the baggage allowance attached to your booking on flysaa.com
South African Airways Excess baggage Allowance
How much is extra baggage on South African Airways?
South African Airways want you to bring all the baggage you need for your itinerary without missing any item.
so it allows you to check up to (up to 3 pieces), but if you exceed your carry-on and checked-in baggage limits, additional baggage rates will apply.
Please note that extra baggage will be assessed and must be paid for before boarding. Guests have the option of paying the charge for the entire journey or to your point of transfer, if you have a connecting flight.
For those sectors of your journey where South African Airways is not your carrier, please check with the operating airline for their charges.
For codeshare flights, the operating carrier’s additional baggage rules and charges will apply.
Additional Baggage Fees
For international and domestic flights fees vary according to your route , see The South African Airways comprehensive charts to explain the fees.
Please take note that the charges quoted below are per piece of baggage.
The additional baggage rates below apply to SAA operated flights and does not include SA Express and Airlink flight.
What is the baggage allowance on international flights?
Between New York / Washington & Africa – via Johannesburg
| Country | USD | Local Currency |
|---|---|---|
| All countries / cities in Africa not specified below: | USD 200 | USD 200 |
| Africa | USD 200 | USD 200 |
| Accra / Dakar (direct service only) | USD 200 | USD 200 |
| South Africa | USD 200 | ZAR 1200 |
Between USA & Africa – except Hawaii, Alaska
| Country | USD | Local Currency |
|---|---|---|
| All countries / cities in Africa not specified below: | USD 250 | USD 250 |
| Accra / Dakar (direct service only) | USD 200 | USD 200 |
| Namibia | USD 250 | NAD 2050 |
| South Africa | USD 250 | ZAR 2050 |
Between Africa & Hawaii, Alaska & Mexico
| Country | USD | Local Currency |
|---|---|---|
| All countries / cities in Africa not specified below: | USD 400 | USD 400 |
| Accra / Dakar (direct service only) | USD 350 | USD 350 |
| Namibia | USD 400 | NAD 2350 |
| South Africa | USD 400 | ZAR 2350 |
| Zimbabwe | USD 400 | USD 400 |
Between Canada & Africa
| Country | USD / Local Currency | USD / Local Currency |
|---|---|---|
| All countries / cities in Africa not specified below: | CAD 250 / USD 250 | CAD 300 / USD 300 |
| Accra / Dakar (direct service only) | CAD 250 / USD 250 | CAD 300 / USD 300 |
| Namibia | CAD 250 / NAD 1950 | CAD 300 / NAD 2050 |
| South Africa | CAD 250 / ZAR 1950 | CAD 300 / ZAR 2050 |
| Zimbabwe | CAD 250 / USD 250 | CAD 300 / USD 300 |
Please visit South African Airways additional baggage fees for more information
South African Airways Special Baggage Allowance
Fragile, valuable or items with sentimental value should not be checked-in. These items, including identification documents and passports, should be placed in your hand baggage and kept safely.
Travelling with musical instruments as an extra seat(s) in the cabin
SAA is unfortunately unable to provide our musicians with a special free baggage allowance for the carriage of musical instruments.
Musical instruments must be handled as normal checked-in or hand baggage or be transported on a paid-for seat in the passenger cabin.
| Instrument | Method of Carriage |
|---|---|
| Bass tuba | Checked/additional baggage |
| Bassoon (small) | Checked/additional baggage |
| Banjo | Checked/additional baggage or extra seat |
| Bass trombone | Checked/additional baggage |
| Cello | Checked/additional baggage or extra seat |
| Contrabassoon | Checked/additional baggage or extra seat |
| Clarinet | Hand baggage |
| Double bass | Checked/additional baggage |
| Flute | Hand baggage |
| French horn | Checked/additional baggage or extra seat |
| Guitar | Checked/additional baggage or extra seat |
| Oboe | Hand baggage |
| Saxophone | Checked/additional baggage or extra seat |
| Trumpet | Hand baggage |
| Viola (rectangular) | Checked/additional baggage or extra seat |
| Violin (shaped) | Hand baggage |
| Violin (rectangular) | Checked/additional baggage or extra seat |
Sport Equipment
Just as Musical instruments South African Airways charges on the following sports equipment may apply on both international and domestic flights.
| Angling (fishing rods not exceeding 200cm) | Football/Soccer | Rock Climbing: Helmets, rope bags, climbing harnesses and crash pads/ bouldering mats if not exceeding 200cm in length |
| Archery | Golf (200 cm) | Rugby |
| Athletics/Track and Field | Ice and Field Hockey | Sailing equipment: Wet/dry sailing suits, life jackets, water boots, ropes, blocks, pulleys, water bottle (empty), sails and paddles. Tubes and paddles may not be longer than 200cm. |
| Baseball/Softball | Horse Riding: (saddle must be wrapped & stirrups must be tied & riding helmet) | Snow/Water ski equipment |
| Basketball | Lacrosse | Surfboards/kite surfing/paragliding – smaller than 200cm |
| Bowls | Netball | Swimming |
| Cricket | Motor-Sport: Protective riding gear & helmet | Tennis/Squash |
| Cycling (200cm – 100cm – 75cm) | Motor-Cycle gear: Protective riding gear and helmet, motor cycle to be sent as cargo | Ten pin bowling |
| Diving/Scuba Equipment: Scuba tank must be empty | Parachute Equipment (including helmet) | Volleyball |
| Fencing (bag not exceeding 200cm) | Polo Cross: Riding helmet, stick and balls |
Quick Links
Disclosure:All information is pulled from The airline websites as a resource. Airline websites are the authority and can change at any time. For the latest information please visit the Airline website : www.flysaa.com