Get low-cost flights to East London from Africa’s most awarded airline and experience SAA’s award-winning service. With us you’ll always get more than just flight tickets. We’ll help you find transport and accomodation, and we’ve also included a list of things to do whilst in East London. So, make your whole journey seamless by booking your flights to East London through SAA.
You can also use this page to learn about all available check-in options.
Check-in for flights to East London
Check-in times
- Check-in time for all regional flights is 2 hours and 30 minutes prior to departure.
- Online check-in for e-ticket holders opens 24 hours before flight departures and closes 2 hours prior to international flight departures.
Online check-in
SAA offers an internet check-in service. Check-in online
This service enables you to:
- Print your boarding pass up to 24 hours prior to flight departure.
- Select or change your seat.
Mobile check-in
SAA’smobile check-in service allows you to check in from your internet-enabled mobile phone. Go to m.flysaa.com and:
- Submit your e-ticket number or booking reference number on the check-in screen.
- Download your online boarding pass including Apple's Passbook.
- On arrival at the airport show your online boarding pass to security for scanning.
Self check-in kiosks
Our self-service check-in kiosks are available at the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and King Shaka International Airport in Durban.
Use these user-friendly touchscreen devices to:
- Print your boarding pass; and
- Select your seat.
Please note that:
- This check-in option is available to all passengers with confirmed flight tickets on South African Airways.
- All self-service check-in kiosks close 90 minutes before departure time.
Bag drop counter
- Bag drop counters are for passengers with checked baggage who have checked in using flysaa.com or a self-service check-in kiosk.
- After you’ve printed your online boarding pass, proceed to the bag drop counter where your baggage will be tagged and sent to the aircraft.
SAA Flights
East London Car Rental and Airports Transfers
After booking your flight with SAA, feel free to rent a car or book an airport transfer with one of our partners. Just click on one of the links below and your transport needs for your East London trip will be taken care of.
Car Rental
Airport Transfers
East London Hotels
Looking for accommodation in East London? Book a hotel through SAA and rest assured that your needs and budget will be met.
Things to do in East London
- Eastern Beach. Definitely worth a visit if you are into surfing. Here you are sure to find some of the best waves South Africa has to offer. East London is known for its thriving beach culture and Eastern Beach is the heart of it. There are great scenic photo opportunities to be had, many take-away outlets and the East London Aquarium - one of the oldest aquariums in South Africa.
- Areena Riverside Resort. A fun place to go if you’re in East London with the family. They offer tons of activities, including zip cord rides, quad biking, abseiling, paintball, archery, microlight flights and boat cruises.
- The Lion Park. Here you’ll get a chance to get up-close and personal with White Lions and Bengal Tigers. There is also a ‘touch-farm’ where you can pet and feed animals such as giraffes.
- Hemingways Mall. Get ready to shop ‘til you drop. Over 200 stores which include clothing shops, jewellery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, movie theatres, home decor, audio visual equipment, electronics, music and more. There is also an amphitheatre where music and fashion shows are hosted regularly.
- East London Golf Club. Play where the champions play. East London Golf Club has hosted the SA Open six times and is considered one of the best and definitely one of the most scenically beautiful golf courses in the country.
Learn more about East London at South Africa Tourism