Baggage rules in South Africa catch travellers out constantly — especially on budget carriers where checked bags cost extra and airport fees are punishing. This guide covers every major South African domestic airline, what is included in your base fare, current checked bag fees in rands, hand luggage dimensions, and what to do about sports equipment, medical devices, and travelling with infants.
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Flying with a checked bag? The cheapest airline was SAA on all four busiest routes
The lowest headline fare usually leaves the bag out. Once you count a checked bag, SAA, whose fare already includes 23 kg, was cheapest on every one of these routes in our check of Travelstart’s live search for Wednesday 25 November (checked 27 October 2026).
| Route | SAA with bag | Next cheapest with a bag | FlySafair with bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joburg → Cape Town | R2,159 › 23 kg bag included | R2,179 Airlink, bag incl. | R2,349 R2,139 + R210 bag |
| Cape Town → Joburg | R1,529 › 23 kg bag included | R1,899 Airlink, bag incl. | R2,349 R2,139 + R210 bag |
| Joburg → Durban | R839 › 23 kg bag included | R1,224 LIFT with bag | R1,239 R1,029 + R210 bag |
| Durban → Joburg | R839 › 23 kg bag included | R1,129 FlySafair with bag | R1,129 R919 + R210 bag |
FlySafair and LIFT totals use Travelstart’s bag add-on (R210 and R245). Fares change daily: tap a fare to see today’s price for that route and date. Travelstart adds a booking fee at checkout. Travelstart or book direct?
Quick comparison — all airlines
| Airline | Hand luggage | Checked bag (base fare) | Extra checked bag fee (pre-booked) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlySafair | 1 × 7 kg + small personal item | Not included | R185 per 20 kg bag (R375 at the airport) |
| Lift | 1 × 7 kg + small personal item | Not included (Economy No-Bag fare) | R200 per 23 kg bag (R300 later or at the airport) |
| SAA | 1 × 8 kg | 1 × 23 kg included (domestic Economy) | ~R400–R600 per extra bag |
| Airlink | 1 × 8 kg | 1 × 20 kg included (most fares) | ~R350–R550 per extra bag |
| CemAir | 1 × 7 kg | 1 × 20 kg included | Varies by route |
FlySafair baggage allowance
FlySafair baggage: full fee breakdown →
FlySafair is South Africa's most popular domestic airline and operates a strict low-cost model — the cheapest Lite fare includes carry-on only. The Standard fare adds a 20 kg checked bag, and the top-tier fare includes more.
| Bag type | Allowance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hand luggage | 1 × 7 kg max, 56 × 36 × 23 cm | Must fit in overhead bin. Wheels and handles included in dimensions. |
| Personal item | 1 small item (handbag, laptop bag) | Must fit under seat in front. No weight limit but must be small. |
| Checked bag (pre-booked) | 20 kg — R185 when added during booking | Add at booking for the cheapest rate. |
| Checked bag (airport) | 20 kg — R375 | Significantly more expensive. Avoid at all costs. |
| Excess weight | R250 per bag over 20 kg (up to 32 kg) | Bags over 32 kg must go as cargo. |
FlySafair enforces weight limits strictly. Staff at boarding gates regularly weigh carry-on bags and will make you check a bag if it is over 7 kg, at the much higher airport rate. Weigh your bag at home before you leave.
Lift baggage allowance
LIFT baggage: full fee breakdown →
Lift operates between Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban with a similar model to FlySafair — carry-on only in the base fare, with checked bags as a paid add-on. Its Economy Bag fare includes one 23 kg checked bag, and Premium includes two.
| Bag type | Allowance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hand luggage | 1 × 7 kg max, 56 × 36 × 23 cm | Standard carry-on dimensions. |
| Personal item | 1 small item under seat | Laptop bag, small backpack. |
| Checked bag (pre-booked) | 23 kg — R200 when added at booking | Add at booking. The Economy Bag fare already includes one 23 kg bag. |
| Checked bag (airport) | 23 kg — R300 | Also R300 if added after booking. Heavy bags (23–32 kg) cost R200 extra. |
Lift's check-in process is slightly more relaxed than FlySafair on carry-on enforcement, but do not rely on this — rules can be enforced at any time especially on busy routes during peak periods.
SAA (South African Airways) baggage allowance
SAA baggage: full fee breakdown →
SAA is the most generous domestic airline for included baggage — standard domestic Economy fares include one checked bag of 23 kg plus 8 kg hand luggage. This makes SAA the better choice when you are travelling with luggage, even if the headline fare appears higher than FlySafair or Lift.
| Bag type | Allowance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hand luggage | 1 × 8 kg, standard carry-on dimensions | Slightly more generous than low-cost carriers. |
| Checked bag (included) | 1 × 23 kg on domestic Economy | Included — no extra charge on most domestic routes. |
| Extra checked bag | ~R400–R600 | Pre-book if you need a second bag. |
| Excess weight | Charged per kg over 23 kg | Rates vary — always stay within the limit. |
Always calculate total flight cost including bags when comparing SAA vs FlySafair. A FlySafair base fare of R900 + R185 checked bag = R1,085 costs more than an SAA fare of R1,050 that includes the bag.
Airlink baggage allowance
Airlink baggage: full fee breakdown →
Airlink serves regional and some domestic routes, including Gqeberha, George, Hoedspruit, and Nelspruit/Kruger. Most Airlink standard fares include a checked bag, making it a good choice for routes to smaller airports where FlySafair does not operate.
| Bag type | Allowance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hand luggage | 1 × 8 kg, 56 × 36 × 23 cm, plus a slim laptop bag | Standard carry-on. |
| Checked bag (included) | 1 × 20 kg on most fares | Confirm at booking — some promotional fares are carry-on only. |
| Extra bag | ~R350–R550 pre-booked | Second bag charges vary by route. |
CemAir baggage allowance
CemAir baggage: full fee breakdown →
CemAir operates regional routes including George, Margate, and some Kruger-area airports. Standard CemAir fares include one checked bag of 21 kg, which is more inclusive than the big low-cost carriers for their regional routes.
| Bag type | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Hand luggage | 1 × 7 kg, 56 × 36 × 23 cm |
| Checked bag | 1 × 21 kg included |
| Excess weight | R60 per kg, carried standby |
CemAir uses smaller regional aircraft on some routes, so bag handling can differ from mainline carriers. Confirm your allowance directly with CemAir for routes to Margate or Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.
Hand luggage rules in detail
All South African domestic airlines enforce the following standard hand luggage rules, with minor variations:
- Maximum weight: 7 kg (SAA and Airlink allow 8 kg)
- Maximum dimensions: 56 × 36 × 23 cm including wheels and handles — this is the standard domestic overhead bin size
- Personal item: Most airlines allow one additional small personal item (handbag, laptop bag, small backpack) that fits under the seat in front
- Liquids: Domestic flights follow the same 100ml/1L clear bag rule as international flights through security — this is a South African airport security rule, not an airline rule
- Lithium batteries / power banks: Must be in hand luggage — not allowed in checked bags per aviation safety rules. Spare lithium batteries must also be in carry-on.
Sports equipment on SA domestic flights
All major South African airlines carry sports equipment as checked baggage, but you must declare it at booking and fees apply. Key rules:
| Equipment | How it travels | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Golf clubs | Checked as oversized item in a golf bag cover | R300–R600 depending on airline/route |
| Surfboard / kiteboard | Checked oversized — must be in a bag or hard case | R400–R800 — check with airline |
| Bicycle | Checked, must be boxed or in a bike bag, pedals removed | R400–R900 depending on airline |
| Camping / hiking gear | Checked as normal luggage if within weight limit | Standard checked bag fee |
| Fishing rods | Checked — hooks must be secured and covered | Standard oversized rate |
| Musical instruments | Small instruments may go in the cabin if within 7 kg and cabin size limits; larger instruments must be checked in a hard case or booked a seat | Standard checked or oversized rate |
Always book sports equipment in advance — airports can refuse to load unbooked oversized items, especially on busy routes during peak periods. Call the airline directly or add it via their website at booking.
Travelling with infants and children
South African domestic airlines have consistent rules for infant and child travel:
- Infants under 2: Travel on a parent's lap, typically at 10% of the adult fare or free on some carriers. No separate seat or baggage allowance, but a reasonable amount of nappy-changing supplies are usually permitted as a personal item.
- Prams and pushchairs: Most airlines allow one collapsible pram or pushchair per infant as an additional free item. It is gate-checked and returned to you at the aircraft door on arrival.
- Car seats: Can typically be checked as an additional free item for an infant/child booking. Confirm with your airline.
- Children 2 and over: Require their own seat and have the same baggage allowance as adults.
- Unaccompanied minors: Each airline has a separate unaccompanied minor policy with specific age limits and fees — contact the airline directly for this.
How to avoid excess baggage fees — 8 rules
- Add checked bags at booking — never at the airport. The price difference is enormous, about R190 more per bag at check-in on FlySafair, and R100 more on Lift.
- Weigh your carry-on before leaving home — a cheap luggage scale (R100–R150 at Checkers or Pick n Pay) pays for itself on the first trip.
- Wear your heaviest items on the plane — heavy boots, jackets, and dense hoodies worn onto the plane reduce your checked bag weight.
- Buy a compressible bag or packing cubes — they do not reduce weight but help you fit more within the dimensional limits.
- Compare total cost including bags — a R800 FlySafair fare + R185 bag is R985. A R950 SAA fare with a bag included is cheaper. Always calculate the full price.
- Use a comparison site that shows baggage add-on costs — this saves the manual calculation above.
- Pool allowances on group bookings — on a family booking of 4, you can distribute luggage weight across 4 checked bags to avoid anyone going over the 20 kg limit.
- Ship items separately for long stays — for holidays of 2+ weeks, sending a parcel via the Post Office or a courier can cost less than multiple excess baggage fees.
What you actually pay: booking vs airport
The gap between adding a bag at booking and buying one at the counter is the single most expensive mistake on a South African domestic ticket. On the low-cost carriers the airport price is routinely double.
| Airline | Bag added at booking | Bag added at the airport | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlySafair | R185 (20 kg) | R375 | About double |
| Lift | R200 (23 kg) | R300 | 50% more |
| Airlink | Usually included in the fare | Excess weight charged per kg | Less exposure |
Fares and fees move, so treat these as the shape of the pricing rather than a fixed quote — confirm the current figure on the airline's booking flow. Our baggage fee calculator works out the all-in cost of a fare plus bags across carriers.
Comparing airlines? See the airline baggage allowance: all 5 airlines side by side, with cabin and checked allowances and what a bag costs online vs at the airport.
Nine ways to pay less for baggage
- Always add bags at booking. Airport fees are far higher on every South African low-cost carrier.
- Weigh at home. Excess weight is charged per kilogram and adds up quickly. A digital luggage scale pays for itself on one trip.
- Compare the all-in cost, not the fare. A cheap FlySafair fare plus a R300 bag can land higher than an Airlink fare that includes the bag.
- Pack your personal item inside your cabin bag. South African low-cost carriers generally allow one cabin item in total, not a bag plus a personal item the way many US and European carriers do.
- Book sporting equipment early. Surfboards, golf clubs and bicycles must be arranged in advance and are limited by hold space.
- Check the fare class, not just the airline. Lift's allowance is fare-dependent — the Economy No-Bag fare includes no checked baggage at all.
- Watch the aircraft on regional routes. Smaller Airlink and CemAir aircraft have limited overhead space, and a full-size roller may be gate-checked.
- Split weight across passengers. Two bags at the allowance beat one overweight bag plus a per-kilogram penalty.
- Soft bags for game lodges. Many Kruger-area lodges require soft-sided luggage, and hard rollers may not fit the hold on smaller aircraft.
Prams, car seats and baby essentials
- Pushchairs and prams: accepted free of charge at check-in on most South African airlines.
- Car seats: accepted as checked baggage, typically free of charge.
- Baby formula and food: exempt from the 100 ml cabin liquid restriction.
- Nappy bags: normally count towards your personal item allowance rather than being extra.
For the full picture on travelling with children, see our guide to flying with children in South Africa.
What a bag adds: all five airlines, Johannesburg → Cape Town
One-way economy fares from Travelstart's live search, checked 9 October 2026. Fares change daily. The 25 Nov fares were re-checked on 17 October 2026.
| Route · date | Fare | Airline |
|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg → Cape Town Wed 25 Nov | R1,839 › | Airlink 20kg bag incl. · non-stop |
| Johannesburg → Cape Town Wed 25 Nov | R1,939 › | SAA 23kg bag incl. · non-stop |
| Johannesburg → Cape Town Wed 25 Nov | R2,039 › | FlySafair cabin bag only · non-stop |
| Johannesburg → Cape Town Wed 25 Nov | R2,129 › | LIFT cabin bag only · non-stop |
| Johannesburg → Cape Town Wed 25 Nov | R2,239 › | CemAir 21kg bag incl. |
| Johannesburg → Durban Wed 25 Nov | R839 › | SAA 23kg bag incl. · non-stop |
| Johannesburg → Durban Wed 25 Nov | R1,029 › | FlySafair cabin bag only |
| Johannesburg → Durban Wed 25 Nov | R979 › | LIFT cabin bag only · non-stop |
| Johannesburg → Durban Wed 25 Nov | R1,299 › | Airlink 20kg bag incl. |
| Johannesburg → Durban Wed 25 Nov | R2,229 › | CemAir 21kg bag incl. |
Tap a fare to open that route and date on Travelstart's live search (new tab). Prices move daily, so the fare you see there may differ. On Travelstart you can split the cost into interest-free Payflex instalments over six weeks. How booking works
On Joburg–Cape Town for 28 October, Airlink (20kg included) and SAA (23kg included) were cheaper than FlySafair and LIFT before any bag was added. FlySafair and LIFT fares are cabin-bag only: on Travelstart a checked bag adds R210 on FlySafair (20 kg) and R245 on LIFT (23 kg), checked 17 October 2026; booked direct with the airline it is R185 and R200, and more at the airport. SAA, Airlink and CemAir fares include a checked bag. Baggage cost calculator →
Frequently Asked Questions
Does FlySafair include checked baggage?
No. FlySafair base fares include a 7 kg carry-on only. Checked baggage must be added at booking — it costs R185 added at booking vs R375 at the airport.
Which SA airline includes the most free baggage?
SAA is the most generous on domestic routes, including a 23 kg checked bag on domestic Economy. Airlink includes 20 kg on most fares. FlySafair and Lift are carry-on-only base fares.
What is prohibited in hand luggage on South African flights?
Sharp objects such as knives and scissors over 6 cm, liquids in containers over 100 ml, flammable liquids and explosives are all barred from the cabin. Firearms and ammunition may travel but must be declared and carried as checked baggage — never in hand luggage. Check ACSA guidance and your airline's own list before you pack.
How do I avoid excess baggage fees?
Always add checked bags at booking, weigh carry-on bags before leaving home, wear your heaviest clothing on the plane, and compare total fare cost including bags across airlines before booking.
What is the hand luggage size limit for FlySafair?
One cabin bag not exceeding 7 kg and 56 × 36 × 23 cm (including wheels and handles), plus one small personal item that fits under the seat.
Can I take a pram on a South African domestic flight?
Yes. Most SA airlines allow one collapsible pram as a free extra item for infant passengers. It is gate-checked and returned at the aircraft door on arrival.
Are power banks allowed on South African flights?
Power banks must be in your hand luggage — never in checked bags. This is a South African aviation safety rule. They will be confiscated from checked bags at security screening.