Baggage Fees Compared 2026: FlySafair vs Lift vs Airlink vs CemAir vs SAA
Every South African airline charges differently for checked bags, and the gate-side carry-on weigh-in catches more travellers than late check-in ever does. Here's every fee, every limit, and the exact tool to check your bag before you fly.
- At a glance: baggage fees across 6 SA airlines
- Carry-on size and weight limits
- Checked baggage fees, online vs airport
- Why Airlink can actually be cheapest
- Regional and African route differences
- What happened to Kulula & Mango?
- 5 ways to avoid baggage surcharges
- Check your bag before you fly
- Frequently asked questions
At a Glance: Baggage Fees Across South Africa's Operating Airlines
South African booking aggregators rarely put all the country's operating carriers side by side on baggage — most comparisons stop at FlySafair vs Lift. Here's the full 2026 picture across the airlines actually flying today: FlySafair, Lift, Airlink, CemAir and SAA. (If you're looking for Kulula or Mango, see the note below — both have ceased operations.)
| Airline | Carry-on (included) | Checked bag (online, ~20kg) | Checked bag (airport) | Free checked bag on some fares? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlySafair Budget | 7kg, 56x36x23cm | R200–R350 | R350–R550+ | No |
| Lift Budget+ | 7kg, 56x36x23cm | R220–R360 | R380–R580+ | No |
| SAA (South African Airways) Full-service | 7kg + personal item | Often included | N/A on included fares | Yes — checked bag included on most fares |
| Airlink Full-service | 7kg + personal item | R250–R400 (where not included) | R450–R650+ | Yes — up to 23kg on select fares |
| CemAir Regional | 7kg, 56x36x23cm | R250–R400 | R450–R650+ | Sometimes, route-dependent |
Carry-On Size and Weight Limits
All the operating carriers converge on a near-identical cabin bag standard, which makes this the easiest limit to plan around — and the one travellers most often get caught out on, because gate staff actively weigh and measure bags during busy periods.
| Airline | Max dimensions | Max weight | Personal item |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlySafair | 56 x 36 x 23cm | 7kg | Not separately specified — combine into the 7kg bag |
| Lift | 56 x 36 x 23cm | 7kg | Small additional item permitted |
| SAA | 56 x 36 x 23cm | 8kg | Laptop bag/handbag permitted in addition |
| Airlink | 56 x 36 x 23cm | 7kg | Laptop bag/handbag permitted in addition |
| CemAir | 55 x 35 x 20cm | 7kg | Not separately specified |
Checked Baggage Fees: Online vs Airport
The headline numbers above understate the real-world gap. Add a 20kg checked bag at booking on FlySafair and you'll typically pay R200–R350. Show up without one and add it at the OR Tambo or Cape Town International counter, and that same bag can cost R350–R550 — sometimes more during peak periods like the December festive season or Easter weekend.
Across a return trip with two checked bags, the online-vs-airport gap can easily be R600–R1,000 — often more than the difference between the cheapest and most expensive base fare on the route. Run the full trip cost through our fly-vs-drive calculator if you're weighing up driving instead.
Why Airlink Can Actually Be the Cheapest Overall
Airlink's base fares usually look higher than FlySafair or Lift — which is why most price-first comparisons dismiss it immediately. But on fare classes that include a checked bag (often up to 23kg), the maths can flip entirely.
Example: a FlySafair fare at R900 plus a R300 online checked bag totals R1,200. If Airlink's equivalent fare is R1,150 and already includes a 23kg checked bag, Airlink is the cheaper option for anyone checking luggage — despite the higher sticker price on the search results page. Always add the realistic baggage cost to the base fare before comparing, not just the headline ticket price.
Regional and African Route Differences
Baggage policies on Airlink, CemAir and SAA routes to regional African destinations — Maputo, Harare, Lusaka, Livingstone, Victoria Falls, Windhoek — can differ from their domestic South African policies. Some regional fares carry reduced checked allowances or different per-kilo excess rates. If you're flying one of these routes, confirm the specific allowance at booking rather than assuming your domestic experience applies.
See our route guides for Johannesburg to Victoria Falls and Johannesburg to Harare for route-specific notes.
What Happened to Kulula and Mango Baggage Fees?
If you're searching for Kulula or Mango baggage fees, here's the honest answer: neither airline is flying anymore. Kulula (and its parent Comair) ceased operations in June 2022. Mango was grounded in 2021 and, after years of failed business-rescue attempts, the revival plan collapsed for good in 2025 — leaving FlySafair as the dominant low-cost carrier and SAA expanding to fill the gap.
If you held a Kulula or Mango ticket or credit, those fall under the respective liquidation and business-rescue processes, not a live airline booking. For current low-cost baggage value, FlySafair and Lift are the direct replacements; for full-service flying with baggage usually included, SAA and Airlink are your options.
5 Ways to Avoid Baggage Surcharges in South Africa
- Always add checked bags online at booking — never at the airport. This single habit saves R150–R250 per bag, every time.
- Weigh your carry-on at home before leaving — gate staff on FlySafair and Lift actively enforce the 7kg limit during peak periods.
- Check CemAir's tighter 55x35x20cm carry-on limit separately if your trip includes a CemAir regional leg — your normal bag may not fit.
- Compare total trip cost, not base fare — an Airlink fare with an included checked bag can beat a "cheaper" budget fare plus add-on baggage.
- Repack before you weigh in — shifting 1-2kg from checked to carry-on (or vice versa) at the check-in counter, before you're weighed, can avoid an excess fee entirely.
Check Your Bag Before You Fly
VistaVoyage's free toolkit includes a baggage size checker and weight checker — enter your bag's dimensions and weight against the limits above before you leave home, so there are no surprises at the gate.
Check your bag against every SA airline's limits
Open the Baggage Size & Weight Checker →Free tool — also includes a destination weather checker and fly-vs-drive cost calculator
Compare live flight prices across all SA airlines now
Search Flights on Travelstart →Want the exact number for your trip? Use our baggage fee calculator to see the real all-in cost once your bags are added.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which South African airline has the cheapest checked baggage fees?
When added online at booking, FlySafair and Lift are typically cheapest for a 20kg checked bag, usually R200-R350. CemAir sits slightly higher. Airlink and SAA can work out cheapest overall because many fare classes include a checked bag free. Note: Kulula and Mango have both ceased operations and no longer fly.
What is the cheapest way to add checked baggage on a South African flight?
Always add your checked bag online during booking or via the airline's manage-booking page before you arrive at the airport. Every major South African carrier charges a significantly higher rate for bags added at the airport check-in counter — often double the online price.
What size carry-on bag is allowed on FlySafair, Lift, Airlink, CemAir and SAA?
Most operating carriers allow roughly 56x36x23cm at up to 7kg (8kg on SAA). CemAir is slightly stricter at 55x35x20cm. Full-service carriers SAA and Airlink additionally permit a small personal item like a laptop bag or handbag.
Will I be charged if my carry-on bag is slightly over 7kg?
Yes. Budget carriers including FlySafair and Lift weigh and measure cabin bags at the gate during busy periods, and an overweight or oversized bag can be charged the full checked-bag fee on the spot. Check your bag against the limits using VistaVoyage's free baggage checker before you leave home.
Does Airlink include free checked baggage?
On many fare classes, yes — Airlink includes a checked bag (typically up to 23kg) at no extra cost, which is unusual among South African carriers. This can make Airlink cheaper overall than a budget fare plus a paid checked bag, even when its base fare looks higher.
Are baggage fees the same for domestic and regional African routes?
No. Regional routes operated by Airlink, CemAir and SAA to destinations such as Maputo, Harare, Victoria Falls and Lusaka can carry different allowances and fee structures than domestic SA routes. Always confirm the specific route's policy at booking.