Standard Free Baggage Allowance

As a guide we have provided our standard checked baggage allowances, although there are exceptions based upon certain routes and ticket class. We therefore advise you to also check our baggage allowance exceptions below and, above all, take note of the baggage allowance attached to your booking on flysaa.com

SAA assesses baggage by number of pieces rather than their weight, although weight restrictions do apply.

Standard free baggage allowance
Class of Travel Weight per Piece
Business Class 2 pieces not exceeding 32kg per piece
Economy Class 1 piece not exceeding 23kg

Checked baggage dimensions

Please make sure your checked bags are within the dimensions outlined in the diagram. Bags greater than the dimensions provided are too large for airport conveyor belts and will not be accepted on the flight.

checked baggage dimensions image

If you are travelling with sporting equipment or fragile items please refer to our special baggage dimension policy.

  • Our standard free baggage policy may differ by route and class of travel. A list of these exceptions are outlined below.

    Exceptions to free baggage allowance
      Business Class Economy Class
    Domestic travel only (within South Africa) 2 pieces not exceeding 32kg per piece  Standard baggage policy

    Within Africa only

    Exception: The free baggage allowance to apply on the code share flights between Seychelles and South Africa will be the applicable baggage allowance of the operating carrier. 

    		 Standard baggage policy 2 pieces not exceeding 23kg per piece
    Between South Africa and Nigeria 3 pieces not exceeding 32kg per piece 3 pieces not exceeding 23kg per piece
    Between Africa and UK Standard baggage policy Standard baggage policy
    Between Africa and Europe 2 pieces not exceeding 32kg per piece 2 pieces not exceeding 23kg per piece
    Between Europe and Africa (excluding UK ) 2 pieces not exceeding 32kg per piece 1 piece not exceeding 23kg per piece
    Worldwide to USA/Canada Standard baggage policy 2 pieces not exceeding 23kg per piece
    From Democratic Republic of the Congo Malawi / Mozambique / Zambia / Zimbabwe to Europe/ UK Standard baggage policy 2 pieces not exceeding 23kg per piece
    From UK to Malawi / Zambia / Zimbabwe Standard baggage policy 2 pieces not exceeding 23kg per piece
    Between Africa – Asia / Japan where the fare component include travel to/from HKG /CAN or any point in Asia / Japan via HKG. 2 pieces up to 32kg per piece (70lb) & maximum dimensions of 158cm (62inches) per piece  2 pieces up to 23kg per piece (50lb) & maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece 
    Between Africa – Asia / Japan where the fare component include travel to/from BJS or any point in China via BJS. 2 pieces up to 32kg per piece (70lb) & maximum dimensions of 158cm (62inches) per piece  1 piece up to 23kg per piece (50lb) & maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece 
    Between Africa and New Zealand Standard baggage policy Standard baggage policy

    Between Africa and Middle East.
    When SA is the marketing carrier on EK operating flights
    between JNB - DXB

    		 The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply

    Between Africa and ADD.
    When SA is the marketing carrier on ET operating flights
    between JNB/DUR/CPT - ADD 

    Exception: The free baggage allowance to apply on the code share flights between Addis Ababa and Muscat will be the applicable baggage allowance of the operating carrier. 

    		 The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply
    Between Africa and KGL.
    When SA is the marketing carrier on WB operating flights
    between JNB -KGL    		 The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply
    Africa to Australia Standard baggage policy 2 pieces not exceeding 23kg per piece
    Between South America (excluding Brazil & Argentina) to Asia / Japan / Africa Standard baggage policy 2 pieces not exceeding 23kg per piece
    Between South America – Australia / New Zealand except Brazil Standard baggage policy 2 pieces not exceeding 23kg per piece
    Argentina to Asia / Japan Standard baggage policy 2 pieces not exceeding 32kg per piece
    Argentina - Africa Standard baggage policy 2 pieces not exceeding 23kg per piece
    Brazil to Africa / Asia / Japan / Australia / Europe / USA Standard baggage policy 2 pieces not exceeding 32kg per piece
    Australia to Middle East Standard baggage policy 2 pieces not exceeding 32kg per piece

  • If you are a Voyager frequent flyer member, you can enjoy an increased baggage allowance, subject to your tier status.

    SAA Voyager Tier Additional Baggage Allowance as part of the free allowance
    SAA Voyager Blue card holders No additional baggage allowance
    SAA Voyager Silver Card holder 1 extra piece of 23kg, irrespective of class of travel
    SAA Voyager Gold Card 1 extra piece based on the allowance of the booked cabin class
    SAA Voyager Platinum 1 extra piece of 32kg, irrespective of class of travel
    SAA Voyager Lifetime Platinum 2 extra pieces of 32kg per piece, irrespective of class of travel
    SAA Voyager Platinum, Platinum Elect & Lifetime Platinum & SAA Gold, Gold Elect Member & Star Alliance Gold Member on SAA operated flights plus any Star Alliance – operated flights 1 extra piece based on the allowance of the respective class (weight or piece)
    Ecobank Voyager Platinum & Gold Credit Card Holders  1 Additional piece of luggage when travelling on SAA Operated flights. 32Kg Business Class and 23Kg Economy Class
    Unico Voyager Gold and Silver Credit Card Holders  1 Additional piece of luggage when travelling on SAA Operated flights. 32Kg Business Class and 23Kg Economy Class

     

    Star Alliance Round-the-World travellers

    • First Class: 2 pieces with a combined weight of 40kg
    • Business Class: 2 pieces with a combined weight of 30kg
    • Economy Class: 1 piece with a combined weight of 20kg

  • Children and infants paying at least 50% of the adult fare are entitled to the same baggage allowance as adults.

    Infants who do not have their own seat are allowed 1 piece of baggage weighing up to 23kg & one collapsible pram or buggy and a car seat, free of charge.

    For further information, please visit our ‘Travelling with infants’ page.

  • Valuable items:

    You must not include in checked baggage, fragile or perishable items or valuable items, such as artwork, money, jewellery, precious metals, computers, personal electronic devices, cellular telephones, cameras and camera equipment, audio and video equipment, negotiable papers, securities or other valuables, business documents, passports and other identification documents or samples as these items should be placed in hand baggage.

    Dangerous items:

    There are a number of items, some of them not so obvious, which could pose a risk if taken onboard. Find out which items are classified as dangerous goods, what is permitted and what you need to declare at the airport.

  • SAA welcomes you to bring as much baggage as you need, up to a total of 3 pieces per passenger. However, please bear in mind, once you exceed your carry-on and checked-in free baggage allowance, excess baggage charges will apply.

  • Same day connections are not treated as stopovers, so a uniform baggage allowance applies across all flights. However after a stopover, the legs of the flight that follow may be subject to different baggage allowances.

  • If a bag weighs more than 32kg it must be checked-in as cargo and you’ll be charged the applicable SAA Cargo rate.

  • For further information, please visit our Special Baggage page.