Low-cost carrier · South Africa
Lift Flights South Africa
Premium low-cost flights between SA's major cities
LIFT, Johannesburg → Cape Town: LIFT’s cheapest fare we found was R1,949 › one-way for Wed 18 Nov, cabin bag only; a 23 kg bag adds R245 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 Lift fares, check baggage rules, and book securely via Travelstart — South Africa's most trusted flight booking platform.
About Lift
| Airline | Lift |
|---|---|
| Type | Low-cost carrier |
| IATA Code | LFT |
| Founded | 2020 |
| Headquarters | Johannesburg |
| Main Hub(s) | OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) |
| Fleet | Airbus A320 |
Live fare record: Lift, 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. Lift appeared among the five cheapest fares in 24 searches and was the cheapest option on sale in 3 of them. Its fares were cabin-bag-only; a checked bag is extra. Its lowest fare we saw was R979 (Joburg → Durban, 28 Oct).
Where it was cheapest
| Route | Date | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town → Joburg | 14 Oct | |
| Joburg → Cape Town | 28 Oct | R1,949 (tied) |
| Cape Town → Durban | 28 Oct | R2,049 › |
Fares change daily. See every fare we checked →
Baggage Allowance
Full fee breakdown: LIFT 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 LIFT check-in guide.
| Cabin baggage | 7 kg carry-on included |
|---|---|
| Checked baggage | Not on Economy No-Bag; 1 × 23 kg on Economy Bag; 2 × 23 kg on Premium |
| Online check-in | 24 hours to 45 minutes before departure |
| Airport check-in | Opens 2 hours before departure |
| Changes & cancellations | Rules differ by fare — check the conditions on your fare before you pay. |
Popular Lift Routes
Click any route to compare live prices and book via Travelstart.
Pros
- ✅ Premium seating on an LCC budget
- ✅ Airbus A320 fleet — roomier than Boeing 737
- ✅ Competitive fares on the Golden Triangle
- ✅ Good customer service reputation
Cons
- ⚠️ Limited route network — mainly Golden Triangle
- ⚠️ No checked bag on base fares
- ⚠️ Smaller network than FlySafair or Airlink
Lift Airlines — the premium low-cost option explained
Lift launched in December 2020 — one of the more unusual moments to start an airline — and quickly established a loyal following among South African business and leisure travellers who wanted something better than FlySafair's bare-bones model without paying full SAA prices. The airline is a joint venture between Global Aviation (South Africa) and IndiGo Partners, and it operates an Airbus A320 fleet on South Africa's highest-frequency domestic routes.
The Lift value proposition is straightforward: a noticeably more comfortable cabin experience at prices that frequently match or only marginally exceed FlySafair. The A320 has a slightly wider fuselage than the Boeing 737, translating to more shoulder room in the 3-3 economy configuration. Cabin baggage is 7 kg on Economy fares, the same as FlySafair, but Premium doubles it to two 7 kg cabin bags. For a business traveller who books frequently and values consistency, these differences matter.
Lift's deliberate network focus — the Johannesburg–Cape Town, Johannesburg–Durban, and Cape Town–Durban triangle — means it does not try to compete with Airlink on regional routes. This is a strength and a limitation simultaneously. The Golden Triangle routes carry the overwhelming majority of South African domestic passenger volume, and by concentrating there, Lift achieves better aircraft utilisation and schedule reliability than a more spread-out network would allow.
Lift fare tiers compared
| Fare | Cabin bag | Checked bag | Seat selection | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy No-Bag | 1 × 7 kg | Not included | Check at booking | Check at booking |
| Economy Bag | 1 × 7 kg | 1 × 23 kg | Check at booking | Check at booking |
| Premium | 2 × 7 kg | 2 × 23 kg + 1 sports item (23 kg) | Check at booking | Check at booking |
Every fare also allows one small personal item. Cabin bags must fit 56 × 36 × 23 cm. Checked bags of 23–32 kg cost an extra R200 at check-in, and bags over 32 kg are not accepted. Source: Lift's published baggage policy, checked October 2026.
Is Lift worth it over FlySafair?
On a pure fare comparison, FlySafair's base price is usually lower — but add a checked bag to FlySafair and Lift's Economy Bag fare (23 kg included) can come out cheaper or equivalent. For travellers who travel light with a 7 kg cabin bag, FlySafair wins on price. For anyone checking luggage, Lift's all-in pricing model is worth comparing carefully before defaulting to FlySafair. Use the search widget on this page to compare live prices on your specific date — the answer varies by route and departure time.
Lift check-in and airport tips
- Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure and closes 45 minutes before. Complete it to save time at the airport.
- Lift operates from OR Tambo (JNB) domestic terminal — not Lanseria. If you are based north of Johannesburg, factor the OR Tambo road time into your planning.
- The A320 overhead bins are larger than average — a standard 56×36×23 cm trolley case fits without gate-checking on most flights.
- Premium includes two cabin bags and two 23 kg checked bags — worth pricing if you are travelling with a lot of luggage or sports gear.
Compare Lift Flights Live
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Lift Airlines Route Network
Lift is a focused low-cost carrier specialising in South Africa's Golden Triangle — the three highest-frequency domestic routes in the country. Unlike FlySafair, Lift does not try to serve the full domestic network. This focus means more attention on the routes it does serve.
Lift operates: Johannesburg (OR Tambo) to Cape Town, Johannesburg to Durban, and Cape Town to Durban. These are the three busiest domestic routes in South Africa — and the three most price-competitive.
Lift uses Airbus A320 aircraft exclusively. The A320 has a slightly wider cabin than the Boeing 737 — seat width is 18 inches vs 17.2 inches — which most passengers notice on flights over 90 minutes. Legroom is comparable to FlySafair's standard configuration.
Lift Fares and Booking Tips
Lift sells three fares: Economy No-Bag, Economy Bag and Premium. The key differences:
- Economy No-Bag: Cheapest option. One 7 kg cabin bag plus a personal item. No checked bag.
- Economy Bag: Adds one 23 kg checked bag. Usually the one to compare if you are not travelling light.
- Premium: Two 7 kg cabin bags, two 23 kg checked bags and one sports item. Change and refund terms differ by fare — read them before paying.
- Best booking window: 4–8 weeks ahead for the Golden Triangle outside school holidays. For December, June, and July — book 10+ weeks ahead. Lift's smaller aircraft capacity means it fills faster than you'd expect.
Always compare Lift against FlySafair for your specific dates. On the JNB–CPT and JNB–DUR routes, the price gap can swing either direction week to week. Full FlySafair vs Lift comparison →
The Lift In-Flight Experience
Lift positions itself as a premium LCC — better than bare-bones but not full service. What this means in practice:
- Aircraft: Airbus A320 across the entire fleet. Consistent cabin experience on all routes.
- Seats: Standard economy configuration with 3+3 seating. Seat selection available at booking — window and exit row seats may be priced higher.
- Food and drink: Light snack service on some flights. No full meal service on domestic routes.
- On-time performance: Lift has improved significantly since its 2020 launch. FlySafair still leads SA-wide on punctuality statistics, but the gap has narrowed. Lift's Golden Triangle focus means fewer knock-on delays from regional operations.
- Check-in: Online check-in available via the Lift app and website. Opens 24 hours before departure. Mobile boarding passes are accepted at all terminals Lift serves.
Lift 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 Lift alongside every other domestic carrier, so you can see where Lift differs rather than reading its policy in isolation. Each one is checked against the carriers' own published conditions.
Lift — Frequently Asked Questions
What routes does Lift fly?
Lift currently operates on the main South African domestic triangle — Johannesburg to Cape Town, Johannesburg to Durban, and Cape Town to Durban. Their network is more limited than FlySafair or Airlink.
Does Lift include checked baggage?
Only on the Economy Bag and Premium fares. Economy No-Bag includes a 7 kg cabin bag only; Economy Bag adds one 23 kg checked bag; Premium includes two 23 kg checked bags. Bags of 23–32 kg cost an extra R200 at check-in.
Is Lift more comfortable than FlySafair?
Lift uses Airbus A320 aircraft which have slightly more cabin space than the Boeing 737s used by FlySafair. The experience is generally considered a step above typical LCC standards.
Can I change a Lift booking?
Change and refund rules differ between Lift's Economy No-Bag, Economy Bag and Premium fares. Always check the fare rules shown before you pay.
When did Lift start flying?
Lift launched in December 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic — making it one of South Africa's newer airlines. Despite a challenging launch period, it has grown a loyal customer base.
How do I check in for Lift?
Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure and closes 45 minutes before. Airport counters and bag drop also close 45 minutes before departure.
Why book Lift via VistaVoyage?
- Live prices powered by Travelstart — one of Africa's largest flight booking platforms
- Compare Lift 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
Lift Articles & Comparisons
- 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
- Lift vs FlySafair 2026 — Full Comparison
- FlySafair vs Lift vs Airlink — Three-Way Showdown
- Lift vs Airlink — Which Is Better?
- Lift vs SAA — Premium Battle
- 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
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