Lift Johannesburg to Durban
Lift flies Johannesburg–Durban daily from OR Tambo. On a one-hour flight the A320 cabin matters less than on Cape Town runs — the deciding factor is usually whether you need the 23 kg bag that comes with Economy Bag.
Lift on Johannesburg–Durban at a glance
| Airports | OR Tambo (JNB) → King Shaka (DUR) · not Lanseria |
|---|---|
| Flights | Daily |
| Flight time | About 1 hour non-stop |
| Aircraft | Airbus A320 |
| Cabin bag | 7 kg + personal item (2 × 7 kg on Premium) |
| Checked bag | None · 1 × 23 kg · 2 × 23 kg by fare |
| Online check-in | Opens 24 h, closes 2 h before departure |
Distance about 480 km; flight time about 1 hour (50–60 minutes in the air). Baggage and check-in rules are taken from Lift’s own published policy. Schedules change, so confirm times and fare inclusions on the booking page before you pay.
Which Lift fare to book
| Fare | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Economy No-Bag | 1 × 7 kg + personal item | None |
| Economy Bag | 1 × 7 kg + personal item | 1 × 23 kg |
| Premium | 2 × 7 kg + personal item | 2 × 23 kg + 1 sports item |
Premium’s sports item allowance (up to 23 kg) is worth pricing if you are taking a surfboard bag or golf clubs to the coast. Checked bags of 23–32 kg cost an extra R200 at check-in. Source: Lift’s published baggage policy, checked 1 October 2026.
Lift, FlySafair or SAA to Durban?
FlySafair has far more departures and flies from Lanseria too, so it usually wins on choice of times and on the cabin-bag-only price. SAA includes a 23 kg bag on domestic Economy and earns Voyager miles. Lift sits between them: a 23 kg bag on Economy Bag, a newer cabin, and departures from OR Tambo only. Compare all three with your real luggage on the same day.
Arriving at King Shaka
King Shaka sits at La Mercy, about 35 km north of Durban CBD — allow 45–60 minutes to the city at peak times. There is no rail link or municipal bus to the airport: your options are a shared shuttle, a metered taxi, e-hailing or a hire car, so arrange it before you board. Umhlanga is much closer than central Durban or the South Coast, so price the transfer to where you are actually staying.
Check-in
Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure and closes 2 hours before — two hours later than FlySafair’s cut-off, which helps if you are booking last-minute.
Check Lift fares from Johannesburg to Durban
Live fares for every airline on the route via Travelstart, so you can compare Lift with the alternatives on your date.
Search JNB → DUR fares* We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Frequently asked questions
Does Lift fly Johannesburg to Durban every day?
Yes, Lift flies the route daily from OR Tambo. It does not fly from Lanseria.
Does Lift include a checked bag to Durban?
On Economy Bag (one 23 kg bag) and Premium (two 23 kg bags). Economy No-Bag is cabin bag only.
Can I take a surfboard on Lift?
Premium includes one sports item up to 23 kg. On other fares, check the sports equipment charge when you book.
How long is the Lift flight to Durban?
About one hour, typically 50 to 60 minutes in the air.