Low-cost carrier · South Africa
FlySafair Flights South Africa
South Africa's most on-time low-cost carrier
FlySafair, Johannesburg → Cape Town: FlySafair’s cheapest fare we found was R2,039 › one-way for Wed 18 Nov, cabin bag only; a 20 kg bag adds R210 on Travelstart (checked 24 October 2026). The cheapest airline that day was SAA at R1,929 with a 23 kg bag included. All Johannesburg–Cape Town fares →
Compare live FlySafair fares, check baggage rules, and book securely via Travelstart — South Africa's most trusted flight booking platform.
About FlySafair
| Airline | FlySafair |
|---|---|
| Type | Low-cost carrier |
| IATA Code | FA |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Johannesburg |
| Main Hub(s) | OR Tambo International Airport (JNB), Lanseria (HLA) |
| Fleet | Boeing 737 |
Live fare record: FlySafair, checked 7 October 2026
We ran live one-way economy searches on Travelstart across South African routes and dates from October 2026 to March 2027. FlySafair appeared among the five cheapest fares in 32 searches and was the cheapest option on sale in 15 of them. Its fares were cabin-bag-only; a checked bag is extra. Its lowest fare we saw was R849 (Durban → Joburg, 14 Oct).
Where it was cheapest
| Route | Date | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Joburg → Bloemfontein | 28 Oct | R909 › |
| Gqeberha → Joburg | 28 Oct | R1,099 (tied) |
| Joburg → East London | 28 Oct | R1,179 › |
| East London → Joburg | 28 Oct | R1,179 › |
| East London → Cape Town | 28 Oct | R1,309 › |
| Cape Town → Nelspruit | 28 Oct | R1,499 › |
| Joburg → George | 28 Oct | R1,739 › |
| East London → Joburg | 3 Jan 2027 | R1,959 › |
Fares change daily. See every fare we checked →
FlySafair also adds a temporary fuel surcharge to every booking: R581.90 per flight on Johannesburg–Cape Town and R322 on Johannesburg–Durban (updated 22 Sep 2026). See the surcharge on every route →
Baggage Allowance
Full fee breakdown: FlySafair baggage allowance 2026, every fee and size checked 9 October 2026 →
Flying soon? See exact check-in windows and bag-drop cut-offs in our FlySafair check-in guide.
| Cabin baggage | 7 kg carry-on included |
|---|---|
| Checked baggage | 20 kg included on the Standard fare; a paid add-on on the Lite fare |
| Online check-in | 24 hours to 60 minutes before departure |
| Airport check-in | Opens 2 hours before departure |
| Changes & cancellations | Lite: changes carry a penalty fee. Standard: two penalty-free changes. Cancellations generally become a travel credit. |
Popular FlySafair Routes
Click any route to compare live prices and book via Travelstart.
Pros
- ✅ Often among the cheapest headline fares on busy routes
- ✅ Best on-time performance in SA
- ✅ Lanseria option avoids OR Tambo chaos
- ✅ Two penalty-free changes on the Standard fare
Cons
- ⚠️ No checked bag on the cheapest (Lite) fare
- ⚠️ No in-flight meals
- ⚠️ Limited to major domestic routes only
- ⚠️ Lite fare changes carry a penalty fee
FlySafair's competitive position — why it dominates
FlySafair is not just the most popular low-cost carrier in South Africa — it is arguably the most successful domestic airline the country has produced. Founded in 2014 as a subsidiary of Safair (a cargo and charter operator with decades of experience), FlySafair launched into a market still dominated by SAA and the now-defunct Kulula and Mango. It grew rapidly by offering one thing competitors struggled to match consistently: low base fares on high-frequency schedules with reliable on-time performance.
The Lanseria advantage is a genuine differentiator. FlySafair operates from both OR Tambo (JNB) and Lanseria (HLA), and for north-of-Johannesburg travellers — those in Sandton, Fourways, Midrand, Centurion, Hartbeespoort — Lanseria cuts total travel time significantly. The airport processes check-in in under 20 minutes on most days, car parking is abundant and cheap, and the road journey from Sandton takes roughly 25 minutes against 45–60 minutes to OR Tambo on a good day. This is a material benefit for frequent business travellers who have a choice of airport.
FlySafair's fleet is entirely Boeing 737 (predominantly 737-800), which delivers consistency: every flight uses the same aircraft type, meaning no surprises with seat pitch, overhead bin size, or cabin layout. The 3-3 seating gives every passenger a window or aisle within one seat. With typically 186 seats per aircraft and multiple daily rotations on the main corridors, FlySafair can absorb irregular operations better than smaller carriers — a missed flight usually means the next one is 2 hours later, not 8.
FlySafair fare classes explained
| Fare class | Changes | Refund | Baggage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lite | Penalty fee + fare difference | Travel credit, less admin fee | 7 kg cabin only | Travelling light |
| Standard | Two penalty-free changes (pay any fare difference) | Travel credit, less admin fee | 7 kg cabin + 20 kg checked | Most travellers with a suitcase |
| Top tier | Unlimited changes, no penalty | Travel credit, no admin fee | 7 kg cabin + two 23 kg checked | Business, uncertain plans |
Only the Lite fare leaves out checked baggage. On Lite, pre-purchase a bag at booking — airport baggage fees are substantially higher. If you need a suitcase anyway, price the Standard fare too: it includes 20 kg and two penalty-free changes. Fees and inclusions change, so confirm them on FlySafair's own fare page before you pay.
How to get the cheapest FlySafair fares
- Book 4–8 weeks ahead for off-peak travel. Inside 2 weeks, fares on popular routes often double.
- Fly Tuesday–Wednesday. Mid-week departures on JNB→CPT, JNB→DUR and CPT→JNB consistently offer the lowest base fares.
- Avoid school holiday windows — June/July, September and December all see significant fare spikes. The week before and after these periods can also price 30–50% higher.
- Use Lanseria for north Joburg routes. HLA→CPT and HLA→DUR fares frequently match or undercut OR Tambo options, and the total door-to-door time is often lower.
- Compare return vs two one-ways. FlySafair prices each leg independently — sometimes two separate one-way fares beat the return price.
Compare FlySafair Flights Live
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FlySafair Route Network — Full Coverage
FlySafair is South Africa's largest independent low-cost carrier by route count. It operates from OR Tambo International (JNB) and Lanseria (HLA) in Johannesburg — a significant differentiator for north Johannesburg travellers who find Lanseria faster door-to-gate.
From OR Tambo (JNB): Cape Town, Durban, George, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), East London, Bloemfontein, and selected leisure routes.
From Lanseria (HLA): Cape Town, Durban, George and Gqeberha — the main routes, with a shorter, less congested airport experience. (Lanseria–East London was suspended in April 2026.)
FlySafair uses a Boeing 737 fleet, which means consistent cabin sizes across routes. The 737-800 seats around 189 passengers in a single-class configuration. Seating is open plan — choose your seats at booking or check in early for best placement.
FlySafair Fares Explained
FlySafair sells three fare types. The differences are baggage and flexibility — the cheapest Lite fare is cabin-bag only and charges a penalty to change, while the higher fares include checked bags and penalty-free changes.
- Lite fare: Cheapest option. 7 kg carry-on included. Changes carry a penalty fee plus any fare difference. Checked baggage add-on available at booking.
- Standard fare: Adds a 20 kg checked bag and two penalty-free changes (you pay any fare difference). Often the better deal if you were going to add a bag to Lite anyway.
- Top-tier fare: More checked baggage and unlimited penalty-free changes. Worth considering if your plans might shift.
- Best price tip: Book 4–8 weeks ahead for standard travel periods. For December and July school holidays, book 10–12 weeks ahead — FlySafair's most popular routes sell out.
- Sale fares: FlySafair runs periodic flash sales by email (20–40% off selected routes) and its famous one-day R12 birthday sale each May. Full guide: FlySafair specials & sales →
FlySafair vs Other South African Airlines
How FlySafair compares to the main alternatives:
- FlySafair vs Lift: FlySafair has the wider network and typically lower base fares. Lift has a slightly better in-flight experience (Airbus A320 vs Boeing 737). On the Golden Triangle, always compare both. Full comparison →
- FlySafair vs Airlink: Airlink covers more regional routes (Hoedspruit, Skukuza, Kimberley, Upington and other smaller cities) and includes checked baggage on most fares. FlySafair wins on the main routes for pure price. Airlink guide →
- FlySafair vs SAA: SAA includes checked baggage and has a loyalty programme (Voyager). Don't assume FlySafair is cheaper: on our October checks SAA was cheaper on 8 of 12 searches, with a 23 kg bag included. FlySafair vs SAA →
FlySafair policies and practical guides
Airline policy is where most South African travellers get caught out — not on fare, but on the rule they did not know applied. These guides cover FlySafair alongside every other domestic carrier, so you can see where FlySafair differs rather than reading its policy in isolation. Each one is checked against the carriers' own published conditions.
FlySafair — Frequently Asked Questions
Does FlySafair include checked baggage?
It depends on the fare. The Standard fare includes a 20 kg checked bag. The cheapest Lite fare includes a 7 kg carry-on only, so on Lite add checked baggage at booking — adding it at the airport costs significantly more.
What is FlySafair's baggage allowance?
One 7 kg cabin bag per passenger is included on every fare. The Standard fare adds a 20 kg checked bag; on the Lite fare you buy checked baggage when booking. Total weight per item should not exceed 32 kg.
Can I change or cancel my FlySafair ticket?
Lite fares can be changed for a penalty fee plus any fare difference. The Standard fare includes two penalty-free changes (you still pay any fare difference), and the top-tier fare allows unlimited changes. Cancelling generally converts the ticket to a travel credit, less an admin fee on Lite and Standard. Always check the fare rules at booking.
Which airports does FlySafair use in Johannesburg?
FlySafair operates from both OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) and Lanseria International Airport (HLA). Check which airport your flight uses when booking.
Is FlySafair safe?
Yes. FlySafair operates a Boeing 737 fleet and has maintained a strong safety record. It has been consistently rated South Africa's most on-time carrier.
How do I check in for FlySafair?
Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure and closes 60 minutes before. Domestic check-in desks close 40 minutes before departure. Arrive early — queues at peak times can be significant.
Why book FlySafair via VistaVoyage?
- Live prices powered by Travelstart — one of Africa's largest flight booking platforms
- Compare FlySafair against all other airlines on the same route simultaneously
- Secure payment with confirmation direct from Travelstart
- Check the total before you pay — any Travelstart service or payment fee is shown at checkout, so compare it with the airline's own site
Explore more on VistaVoyage
FlySafair Articles & Comparisons
- FlySafair Specials & Sales 2026 — R12 Sale Explained
- Baggage Fees Compared — All SA Airlines 2026
- How to Change or Cancel a Flight in SA — Fees Compared
- Flying with Pets in South Africa — Every Airline's Rules
- FlySafair vs Lift 2026 — Full Comparison
- FlySafair vs Lift vs Airlink — Three-Way Showdown
- FlySafair vs Airlink — Which Should You Book?
- FlySafair vs SAA — Budget vs Legacy
- CemAir vs FlySafair
- Best Airline on JHB–Cape Town Route
- SA Domestic Baggage Allowance Guide
- Cheapest Day to Fly in South Africa
- The True Cost of Flying in South Africa 2026
Compare Other South African Airlines
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VistaVoyage is run from Johannesburg by one person, not a global aggregator with a South African landing page. Domestic routes are the core of this site. We also cover international routes — but specifically international flights departing South Africa, priced and paid in rand.
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