If you want to carry extra baggage at South African Airways, below is the allowance in details:
| 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 | |
Exceptions to free baggage allowance
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 (70lb) & maximum dimensions of 158cm (62inches) | 1 piece at 23kg (50lb) & maximum dimension of 158cm(62inches) per piece |
| Domestic (Within South Africa) Back to School Promotion Valid for travel until 11 February 2024 | Not Applicable | 2 pieces not exceeding 23kg per piece (50lb) & maximum dimension of 158cm(62inches) per piece |
| Within Africa only | 2 pieces up to 32kg per piece (70lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece | 2 pieces up to 23kg per piece (50lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece |
| Back to School Promotion Between Accra and Abidjan Valid for travel until 29 February 2024 | 3 pieces up to 32kg per piece(70lb) & maximum dimensions of 158cm(62inches) per piece | 3 pieces up to 23kg per piece(70lb) & maximum dimensions of 158cm(62inches) per piece |
| Between Accra and Abidjan, travel period effective immediately to 29 February 2024 | 3 pieces up to 32kg per piece (70lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece | 3 pieces up to 23kg per piece (70lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece |
| Between South Africa and Kinshasa, travel period 15 January 2024 to 31 March 2024 | 3 pieces up to 32kg per piece (70lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece | 3 pieces up to 23kg per piece (70lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece |
| Between South Africa and Harare, Lusaka and Windhoek, travel period 15 January 2024 to 31 March 2024 | 3 pieces up to 32kg per piece (70lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece | 3 pieces up to 23kg per piece (70lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece |
| Between Brazil and Africa | 2 pieces up to 32kg per piece (70lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece | 2 pieces up to 32kg per piece (70lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece |
| Between Africa and Middle East When SA is the marketing carrier on EK operating flights between Johannesburg and Dubai | The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply | The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply |
| Between South Africa and Ethiopia When SA is the marketing carrier on ET operating flights between Johannesburg/Cape Town/Durban and Addis Ababa | The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply | The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply |
| Between South Africa and Seychelles | The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply | The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply |
Voyager member baggage benefits
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
Child and infant baggage allowance
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.
Restricted items in checked baggage
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.
Additional baggage
SAA welcomes you to bring as much baggage as you need, up to a total of 3 pieces per passenger.
Baggage allowances with stopovers Expanded Content
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.
Baggage over 32kg Expanded Content
If a bag weighs more than 32kg it must be checked-in as cargo and you’ll be charged the applicable SAA Cargo rate.
