Airlines in South Africa

South Africa's domestic airline market has consolidated significantly since 2021. With Mango and Kulula both out of service, five carriers now handle all domestic flying. Here's a complete overview of who's operating, what they offer, and when to choose each one.

FlySafair

South Africa's most punctual low-cost carrier. FlySafair launched in 2014 and has consistently topped the Civil Aviation Authority's on-time performance rankings. They operate a fleet of Boeing 737s on major routes including Johannesburg–Cape Town, Johannesburg–Durban, Cape Town–Durban, Johannesburg–George, and Johannesburg–Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). Their base fares are low but exclude checked baggage — you pay extra for hold luggage, and it's significantly cheaper to add it at booking than at the airport.

Full FlySafair guide →

Lift

Launched in December 2020, Lift positions itself as a premium low-cost carrier. All tickets include 23kg of checked luggage and complimentary snacks and soft drinks on board — a meaningful differentiator from FlySafair. Lift operates from Johannesburg (OR Tambo) and Cape Town on major domestic corridors. Their pricing is competitive with FlySafair once baggage is factored in, and their aircraft are newer.

Full Lift guide →

Airlink

Airlink is the essential regional carrier. While FlySafair and Lift focus on the high-volume corridors, Airlink connects the smaller airports that other carriers don't serve — Hoedspruit, Skukuza, Phalaborwa, Plettenberg Bay, Margate, Richards Bay, and others. If you're flying to a safari destination or a smaller coastal town, Airlink is likely your only option. Their fares typically include checked baggage in economy class. Airlink also operates international regional routes to destinations like Harare, Maputo, and Windhoek.

Full Airlink guide →

CemAir

CemAir is a smaller regional operator, primarily serving routes from Lanseria International Airport north of Johannesburg. They cover destinations including George, Margate, Richards Bay, and some further regional routes. CemAir is useful if you live in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg and want to avoid OR Tambo, and they're often cheaper than Airlink on shared routes. Check availability carefully as their schedules are less frequent than the major carriers.

Full CemAir guide →

South African Airways (SAA)

SAA is the national carrier, operating as a full-service airline with included baggage, meals, and a loyalty programme (Voyager). After financial restructuring completed in 2021, SAA operates a smaller domestic network than before, focusing on major routes. SAA tends to be priced at or above Lift and FlySafair but offers a more traditional full-service experience with airport lounge access for eligible passengers. SAA is the default choice for international connections requiring an airline with global codeshare agreements.

Full SAA guide →

Airlines that no longer operate

Mango Airlines suspended operations in October 2021 citing financial difficulties and has not returned to service. Kulula (operated by Comair) ceased operations in June 2022 when Comair was placed in provisional liquidation. Routes previously served by these carriers are now covered by FlySafair, Lift, and Airlink. If you have an old Mango or Kulula booking, contact the Civil Aviation Authority for refund guidance.