Lift vs Airlink: Which SA Airline is Better for Your Route?

Quick Overview

Lift and Airlink serve fundamentally different purposes. Lift is a modern low-cost carrier focused exclusively on South Africa's three busiest domestic routes. Airlink is a full-service regional carrier serving 40+ destinations across SA and southern Africa. The decision between them is usually straightforward once you know your route.

Route Networks

Lift operates three routes: Johannesburg (JNB) to Cape Town (CPT), Johannesburg to Durban (DUR), and Cape Town to Durban. That's it. Lift is a specialist, not a network airline. This focus means it can put all its energy into being competitive on these three high-demand corridors.

Airlink is the opposite — a network carrier serving the long tail of South African aviation. It operates from all major cities to secondary cities, game reserve airports, coastal towns, and neighbouring countries. If your destination isn't served by FlySafair or Lift, Airlink is almost certainly the answer.

→ Full Lift airline guide

→ Full Airlink routes and booking guide

Prices & Baggage

On the three routes where they compete, Lift is generally cheaper — particularly on base fares. Airlink's full-service model adds cost. However, Airlink includes 23 kg checked baggage in most fares, while Lift charges separately. Add a 20–23 kg bag to a Lift fare and the gap narrows or disappears.

On routes only Airlink serves, there's no comparison — Airlink sets the price and it reflects the economics of smaller aircraft on lower-demand routes. Expect to pay more per kilometre on regional Airlink routes than on the main domestic corridors.

• Always compare all-in fares (including checked bags) not just the headline price
• On JNB–CPT: Lift usually wins on price; compare Airlink if bags are included and it narrows
• On regional routes: Airlink may be your only option — budget accordingly and book early

Aircraft & Comfort

Lift's entire fleet is Airbus A320 family. The A320 has a 3-3 seating layout with a wider fuselage than most regional jets — it's a comfortable, modern aircraft. Lift has received consistently positive passenger reviews on cabin experience for a low-cost carrier.

Airlink's fleet is more diverse. On major routes (JNB–CPT, JNB–GRJ), they operate Embraer 190s — modern and comfortable, though slightly narrower than an A320. On smaller routes, you might be on an Embraer 145 (50 seats, 2-2 layout) or even an ATR turboprop. The turboprop experience is very different — smaller, louder, weather-dependent — but it gets you to places no jet can land.

If cabin comfort on a Golden Triangle route is a priority, Lift's A320 is genuinely one of the better domestic options in SA.

Regional & Safari Routes

This is purely Airlink territory. Key routes Lift doesn't serve:

• JNB → Hoedspruit (HDS): Kruger western gateway — lodges in Timbavati, Kapama, Thornybush
• JNB → Skukuza (SZK): Inside Kruger National Park — most convenient for central park lodges
• JNB → Phalaborwa (PHW): Northern Kruger gateway
• JNB → Richards Bay (RCB): KZN North Coast, iSimangaliso
• JNB → Mthatha (UTT): Eastern Cape, Wild Coast
• JNB → Harare, Vilanculos, Maseru: Regional international routes

For these destinations, Airlink is your airline. There's no meaningful Lift comparison to make.

The Verdict

• Choose Lift if: your route is JNB–CPT, JNB–DUR, or CPT–DUR, and you want the lowest all-in price or prefer the A320 cabin
• Choose Airlink if: your destination is a regional city, game reserve airport, or neighbouring country — Airlink likely serves it and Lift doesn't
• For the Golden Triangle with baggage: compare all-in fares for both — Airlink's bag inclusion sometimes makes it competitive