Checked Baggage Information
Checked Baggage policy
Free Baggage Allowance
Piece concept applies on all SAA operated flights. Piece concept does not apply for SA Express and Airlink flights.
Please note that any stopovers during a trip may result in different baggage allowances for the flights either side of the stopover. Same day connections are not treated as stopovers and as such will have a uniform baggage allowance across all flights.
Free Baggage Allowance - Checked Baggage
Maximum Weight per piece
Please note, that more than 32kg (70lb) per piece is not accepted as baggage. If exceeding 32kg (70lb), the piece of baggage must be checked as Cargo at specified cargo rates or baggage must be repacked.
Free Baggage Allowance
- Children and Infants paying at least 50% of the adult fare are entitled to the same baggage allowance as adults.
- Infants not entitled to a seat shall only be permitted to 1 piece of luggage at 23kg and collapsible pram or buggy or car seat.
| |
Business Class |
Economy Class |
| Domestic (Within South Africa) |
1 piece at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
1 piece at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
| Worldwide – USA / Canada |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches)
per piece |
| Between Africa and Europe / UK |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
1 piece at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
| From Malawi/ Mozambique/ Zambia/ Zimbabwe to Europe/ UK |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
| From UK to Malawi/ Zambia/ Zimbabwe |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg per piece (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg per piece (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
|
Between Africa and Asia / Japan
where the fare component include travel to/from HKG or
any point in Asia / Japan via HKG.
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
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
1 pieces up to 23kg per piece (50lb) &
maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches)
per piece
|
| Between Africa and New Zealand |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
1 piece at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb)
and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) |
Between Africa and the Middle East.
Please note this is valid on: 1) When SA is the marketing carrier on EY operating flights
2) When SA is the marketing carrier on EK operating flights
3)Between Africa and DXB.
When SA is the marketing carrier on EK operating flights |
1-2) 2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
3)The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply |
1-2) 2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
3) The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply |
|
Between Africa and Australia
|
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
Within Africa
|
2 pieces at a maximum of 32kg (70lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
2 pieces at a maximum of 23kg (50lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
| Between South Africa and Lagos/Abuja |
3 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
3 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
| Between South America and Australia / New Zealand except Brazil |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
| Between South America, and Africa / Asia / Japan except : Brazil and Argentina- except BJS or via BJS |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
| Between Africa / South America – BJS or via BJS to Asia / Japan |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
1 piece at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
| Between Argentina - Africa |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
| Between Argentina - Asia / Japan- except BJS or via BJS |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
| Between Brazil - Africa / Asia / Japan / Australia - except BJS or via BJS |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
| Between Brazil - Europe & USA |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
| Between Australia and Middle East |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches) per piece
|
If not specified in the table above, the following allowances apply:
Business class – 2 pieces with 32kg (70lb) per piece and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62inches) per piece
Economy class – 1 piece with 23kg (50lb) per piece and maximum dimension of 158cm (62inches)
Please note: At no time may a bag be accepted heavier than 32kg, this must either be repacked or be shipped as Cargo.
Voyager Piece Concept Allowance
Exceptions: SA Airways Voyager Passenger & Star Alliance Gold Members
Please note that this does not include the DXB code-share flights.
Please note that this does not include the EY code-share flights.
- SAA Voyager Blue card holders – no additional baggage allowance
- SAA Voyager Silver Card holder – 1 extra piece of 23kg, irrespective of class of travel, as part of the free allowance
- SAA Voyager Gold Card – 1 extra piece based on the allowance of the booked cabin class, as part of free of the free allowance
- SAA Voyager Platinum – 1 extra piece of 32kg, irrespective of class of travel, as part of the free allowance
- SAA Voyager Lifetime Platinum – 2 extra pieces of 32kg per piece, irrespective of class of travel, as part of the free allowance
- 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), as part of the free allowance.
The additional baggage benefit will be offered to Elite members as an additional piece of baggage and no longer according to the weight-concept when flying on the services of SAA
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Maximum Baggage Weight per Piece for the Passenger (Weight and Piece Concept) is 32kg.
Please note, that more than 32kg (70lb) per piece is not accepted as baggage. If exceeding 32kg (70lb), the piece of baggage must be checked as air cargo at specified cargo rates.
The following dimensions as a guideline – (this is what ACSA dictates to fit down the conveyor belt.)
The sizes do not include items that form part of sporting equipment / fragile items.
| Dimensions |
Minimum |
Average |
Maximum |
| Length (mm) |
250 |
550 |
900 |
| Width (mm) |
250 |
400 |
450 |
| Height (mm) |
75 |
500 |
720 |
| Weight (Kg) |
1,5 |
18 |
32 |
Following items may not be accepted as part of the passenger free baggage allowance:
To be accepted strictly as Cargo:
- Car parts/ Motor cycle parts
- TV or similar equipment
- Toy guns (can be sent via the firearm desk at a cost)
- Or any other item as dictated by the airport authority
Applicable on SA flights ONLY and all flight series SA1000; 2000; 7000; 8000 are excluded:
Between South Africa and destinations in Africa (SA ONLY)
- Ships crews / Marine baggage allowance
o Free baggage allowance is the applicable business class allowance.
- ZAM ZAM water or Sea Water
o SAA will accept ZAMZAM water as checked baggage only and will only allow one jerry can per passenger (5 Litres). The free baggage allowance must be used or the applicable excess baggage fee will be charged. The jerry can must be properly packed in a plastic covering to avoid leakage and damage to others.
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Person with Reduced Mobility
Persons with reduced mobility may carry free of charge one wheelchair and/or other assistive devices they are dependent on.
Exception: On flights to and from European Union destinations, (London, Munich and Frankfurt) one further mobility device may be carrier free of charge, ( two in total), over and above the free baggage allowance. (To satisfy requirement under EU regulation 1107/2006)
Assistive medical devices like Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).
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Combined First, Business or Economy Class Travel
For through journeys where the passenger travels partly on Business Class and partly on Economy Class service the free baggage allowance on each portion of travel shall be that applicable to the class of service for which the fare is paid.
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Interlining
In case of SA unilateral application of PC in opposition to IATA regulations, PC-charges apply only on SA -sectors; for interlining on ongoing other airline sectors please check the free allowance shown on the respective sector ticket coupons. In case of through-check-in and excess, the applicable excess baggage charges have to be charged also if only required for parts of the journey. If excess baggage applies on a routing where no published excess baggage charge is available, the applicable charge applies in the direction of travel for SA sectors and for other airline sectors according to the transporting carrier's rules and charges
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