Short answer: most everyday items are fine, but pets, sports gear, ashes and batteries each have their own rule — and they differ by airline. This guide covers the awkward items South African travellers actually ask about, with the airline-specific catch for each. Declare anything unusual at booking, never at the gate.
Before the items — the documents. Every passenger needs valid ID at domestic check-in, and the accepted list is not the same on every airline. Read the SA domestic flight ID guide.
This is the big one, and the answer depends entirely on the airline. FlySafair does not carry pets — not in the cabin, not in the hold, on any scheduled flight. Airlink does carry domestic pets as checked animals, charged on the same per-kilogram basis as excess baggage (around R38/kg plus VAT), subject to an approved IATA travel crate and advance booking. Cabin travel is generally limited to registered service animals.
| Airline | Pets? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FlySafair | No | No pets cabin or hold |
| Airlink | Yes (hold) | Booked ahead, ±R38/kg + VAT, approved crate |
| CemAir | Sometimes | Confirm by route/aircraft |
| Lift | Service animals | Confirm directly |
| SAA | Yes (conditions) | Crate, health certificate, advance booking |
Full crate sizing, sedation guidance and airport handling is in our dedicated flying with pets in South Africa guide.
Golf clubs, bicycles, surfboards, skis and dive gear are special luggage on every carrier — separate from your normal bag allowance, and they must be declared at booking. On FlySafair, expect around R280 per item per flight, up to 32 kg and within 190 × 75 × 65 cm. Anything over 32 kg travels as cargo. Bikes must be disassembled — handlebars turned parallel to the frame, pedals removed or folded — and checked in at least 90 minutes before departure.
Small instruments — a violin, ukulele or similar — can usually travel as your cabin bag if they fit the 7 kg / overhead-bin limit. Larger instruments (guitars, cellos) are checked as special luggage at the sports-equipment rate, or on some airlines you can buy an extra seat for fragile, high-value instruments. Hard cases only for anything checked.
Yes. Cremated remains are permitted in the cabin or as checked baggage, but you must carry a certified copy of the death certificate and a certificate from the crematorium. The urn should hold the ashes in a plastic bag inside a sealed, supported container that will pass X-ray screening — solid metal or stone urns that can't be scanned may be refused at security. Carry the documents in your hand luggage where you can reach them.
Solid food travels freely on domestic flights — biltong, droëwors, nuts, sweets, baked goods, all fine in cabin or checked bags. The catch is the 100 ml liquid rule, which applies to liquids, gels and pastes in your cabin bag: sauces, spreads, jams, peanut butter and any drink over 100 ml must go in checked luggage. Sealed alcohol bought airside after security is fine to carry on; otherwise pack bottles in your checked bag, well wrapped.
Power banks and spare lithium batteries must travel in your cabin bag only. They are banned from checked luggage on every airline because of fire risk — this is a safety rule, not an airline preference. Keep terminals protected, and never pack a power bank in a bag you intend to check. Devices with batteries installed (laptops, cameras) are fine either way, but spares always stay in the cabin.
Prams and car seats for a travelling child are usually carried free, checked at the gate or the desk — declare them at booking so they're logged. Essential medication is exempt from the 100 ml liquid limit with supporting documentation (a script or letter), and medical devices such as CPAP machines can travel as an extra item with advance notice. For anything medical, phone the airline ahead so it's on your booking.
Know what you're carrying? Compare airlines that allow it.
Search Flights on TravelstartNo — FlySafair carries no pets in cabin or hold. Airlink carries domestic pets as checked animals (±R38/kg + VAT) with an approved crate, booked ahead.
On FlySafair, ±R280 per item per flight as special luggage, up to 32 kg and 190 × 75 × 65 cm. Bikes must be disassembled and checked in 90 minutes before departure. Declare at booking.
Yes, in cabin or checked, with a certified death certificate and crematorium certificate. Use a scannable container with the ashes bagged inside.
Yes — solid food is fine in cabin or checked bags. Only liquids, gels and pastes over 100 ml must go in checked luggage.
Yes, but in your cabin bag only. Power banks and spare lithium batteries are banned from checked luggage on all airlines.
Related: Flying with pets · Luggage allowance guide · Baggage fee calculator · Hand luggage only · All flight routes
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