Check-in
If you encounter errors with your contact number during check-in, please update your cell number and ensure it includes the country code without the "+" sign (e.g. 27 64 653 6021).
Check-in
Check-in Information
Our friendly airport staff are always happy to help you check-in for your flight, issue your boarding pass and check-in your baggage. But why wait in a queue? Checking-in online is fast and efficient and gives you more time to do the things you want to do – whether that’s browse through duty-free or just arrive at the airport a little later.
You can also use the self-service kiosks in the check-in area, allowing you to bypass the check-in counters and take any baggage straight to the drop-off counter. Tap, tap, tap, and you’re good to go.
We walk you through the online check-in process below.
Do note that our self-service check-in facilities (online, mobile and kiosk) is not available for travel from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo. If you are departing from Dar es Salaam, please proceed to the check in counters for boarding pass issuance as the printing of online or mobile boarding passes are not available.
Passengers travelling on Mango operated flights are advised to check in at the Mango check-in counters.
On some services we have arrangements with other carriers known as Codeshare Carriers. This means that even if you have a reservation with us and hold a ticket where our name or airline designator code (SA) is indicated as the carrier, another carrier may operate the aircraft. In such cases the operating carrier’s regulations and baggage rules will apply. If you did not make use of self-service methods please proceed to the operating carriers check in desks to obtain a boarding pass and check your baggage.
-
Checking-in online is so quick and easy that it will soon become an essential part of your flying routine. It’s so empoweringly addictive that you may never join a check-in queue again. And once you’re holding your self-printed boarding pass, you’ll feel like your journey has already begun.
You can check-in on your computer, tablet or smartphone via flysaa.com, or by using our mobi site at m.flysaa.com.
Flights open for online check-in 24 hours before departure time. If you haven’t already selected a seat, or you want to change the one you have, it’s smart to log in as soon as possible to request your chosen seat where applicable. If you’re travelling in a group you can check-in everyone at once, then print out the boarding passes or have them emailed to you.
Online check-in stays open up to 90 minutes before domestic departures and up to two hours before international flights.
If you don’t have a printer to print your boarding pass, you can print it at the self-service check-in kiosks at the airport or collect it from an SAA check-in counter.
What’s in it for you?
- No more queuing at the check-in counter
- Extra time to spend shopping, eating or just arriving at the airport later
- Pick your own seat, where applicable
- Add your frequent flyer number for more of those lovely Voyager Miles
- Print your own boarding pass or get the boarding pass sent to your phone as a mobile boarding pass
- Go straight to the bag drop-off counter, or straight to the boarding gate if you have hand luggage only.
Online check-in is possible from the following airports:
Domestic International
Johannesburg Accra Cape Town Harare Kinshasa Lusaka Maputo -
If you’re already on the move, you can still check-in online without being anywhere near a computer. SAA’s mobile check-in has all the benefits of ordinary online check-in, with the added convenience of using your mobile phone.
Mobile check-in opens 24-hours before your departure time and closes just 60
minutes before domestic departure and 90 minutes before international and regional departure. Using your mobile phone, go to www.flysaa.com and:- Enter your e-ticket number or booking reference at the check-in screen
- Email or save your online boarding pass to your phone
- At the airport, show your online boarding pass to security at the departure gates for scanning.
Mobile Check-in is possible from the following airports:
Mobile Check In
Domestic International Cape Town Accra Johannesburg Kinshasa Harare Maputo - - -
Flight Check-in and Gate Closure Times
Here are the flight and boarding gate closure times. Unfortunately, travellers who fail to present themselves at the boarding gate before the stipulated time for closure will be denied travel without compensation. Boarding times may vary across our network. Please check your boarding pass carefully.
Check-in times:
Please make sure you check-in before these times:
Flights Recommended check-in Times Flights within South Africa 90 minutes prior to departure International flights 2.5 hours prior to departure Boarding times:
Boarding for all flights begins at least 45 minutes before the scheduled time of departure. Travellers need to please allow enough time to pass through Immigration and Security. High traffic at peak times may be experienced so please allow more than 1 hour before departure time.
Flight Closure Times:
Flights Flight Closure Times Domestic Flights within South Africa, departing from Johannesburg and Cape Town 40 minutes prior to departure International flights departing from Johannesburg and most international and regional airports.
50 minutes prior to departure *Note that flight closure times may vary. Please check your e-ticket receipt for the last check-in time.
Gate Closure Times:
Flights Gate closure times Flights within South Africa 15 minutes prior to departure International flights
20 minutes prior to departure
*Note that gate closure times may vary. Please check your boarding pass carefully.
Check-in Travel Information Required
At check-in it is required that all travellers provide proof of identification in order to receive their boarding pass. Travellers may use their valid RSA Identity Document or Passport (International travel) as proof of identification. The same documentation must be present at the boarding gate.
International Check-in
Prior to check-in and boarding, profiling of passengers for immigration purposes may be required to protect the airline against immigration penalties. The process may require you to provide evidence of confirmed accommodation, health documents (if applicable), sufficient funds and valid return or onward air tickets.
-
It’s a pleasure to use the Self-Service check-in kiosks in the departure area, especially at peak travel times where there may be a long queue for check-in. What’s not to like about getting your boarding pass in a few minutes instead of joining the queue.
The user-friendly touchscreen devices have clear instructions and allow you to select your seat and print your boarding pass instantly. There’s usually a helpful assistant near the machine to assist you with the process. Self-Service check-in machines can be used by all customers with confirmed tickets on South African Airways.
Once you have your boarding pass, you can go to the bag drop counter with your baggage or, if you’re travelling light with hand luggage only, head straight over to the security gate for boarding.
Touchscreen kiosks are available at the following airports:
Self-Service Check In
Domestic International Cape Town Accra Johannesburg Johannesburg Lusaka -
Printing out your own boarding pass is great, but what about your baggage? That’s easy too. Just head for the bag drop counters that are specifically designed for customers who already have a boarding pass. If a bag drop counter is unavailable, a normal check-in counter can be used.
-
Our elite travellers don’t need to worry about printing out boarding passes and dropping off baggage, because our VIP Kerbside check-in service takes care of all that for you.
This is a brilliantly convenient and exclusive service to say thank you to our SAA Voyager Lifetime Platinum, Platinum and Platinum Elect members.
All you have to do is pack and wait for our chauffeur-driven car to collect you at your home or office. No more bothering with taxis, trains or lugging suitcases through the airport. You’ll be dropped off in good time right outside our private Kerbside check-in and a concierge will carry your bags in for you. You can sit and have a tea, coffee or a drink of water while our dedicated staff handles the check-in formalities for you, tags your baggage and sends it on for loading.
This quick and convenient service will leave you free to go straight up to our Business Class lounge within minutes.
It’s a great way to look after your family and friends too. Platinum and Platinum Elect Members can bring two guests with them, while Lifetime Platinum Members are entitled to have three guests using this facility with them, if they are travelling on the same itinerary and checking-in at the same time. Kerbside check-in is subject to flying SAA operated flights only.
Investec Enigma clients can also use our kerbside check-in facility at OR Tambo International Airport. Each Investec Enigma client may bring one guest and one child with them to use this service, if they are travelling on the same itinerary and checking-in at the same time.
-
Flight-boarding calls and name calls for passengers outstanding at the boarding gates is no longer permitted. We encourage all customers to check their boarding passes and /or the flight information display boards for all flight updates and to exercise vigilance and responsibility in ensuring arrival at the boarding gates is as per the prescribed times.
