South African Airways (SAA) has introduced a new check-in baggage policy in response to feedback we received from you, our customers.
The policy aligns with most of the larger Star Alliance member carriers ensuring a transparent and consistent set of rules across SAA and other Star Alliance network.
From 5 September 2012, SAA moved to a checked baggage policy that restricts the number of pieces of baggage each passenger may check in, rather than the total weight of the passenger’s checked baggage. Each of these pieces will be subject to weight and size restrictions.
This policy applies to all tickets purchased on/after 05 September 2012.
The new policy, which contains simple explanations and identifies routes where variations are applicable, forms an important part of the Terms & Conditions of all SAA tickets, including flights purchased online.
The policy will apply on tickets for all flights operated by SAA, i.e. flown using an SAA aircraft and crew. For tickets involving joint international transport services (code share) provided by SAA and foreign airlines the free baggage and excess baggage charge policy have been adjusted and will be based on the policies of the predominant carrier for the trip.
For passengers travelling on multi-leg/multi-carrier journeys, as well as on SAA’s codeshare partners, please ensure you know what your baggage allowance is. You can check your ticket for baggage allowance details. If you are having trouble finding out what your allowance will be for your trip please contact your local travel agent or the SAA Call Centre in your region by clicking on the “Contact Us” tab at the bottom of this page
The move to piece concept will benefit you, our passengers in the following ways:
- Simplicity – Baggage rules are clear, easy to understand and easy for the airline to enforce.
- Transparency – It will enable passengers to easily identify which charges, if any, will apply to their baggage.
- Convenience – Easier for passengers connecting onto Star Alliance or other carriers.
- Competitiveness – Excess baggage charges will be far more competitive.
Under the piece concept, excess baggage charges will apply for:
- Each piece of baggage over and above the passenger’s baggage allowance
- Each piece of overweight baggage
- Each piece of oversize baggage
The excess baggage will be charged at a flat rate per rule broken, per piece. This means that if a piece of baggage is both overweight and oversize, two excess baggage charges will apply. Weight/size restrictions apply to all baggage pieces, including additional pieces over and above the baggage allowance.
Excess baggage rule – weight
An excess baggage charge will apply for each Economy Class bag weighing over 23 kg, but less than 32 kg. The only exception is for travel between Brazil/Argentina and various markets, where an Economy Class passenger is permitted to take two pieces of baggage that each weigh no more than 32 kg.
SAA cannot check in any bag weighing more than 32 kg, for both Economy and Business Class passengers. This is due to baggage handling restrictions at airports, and as such is beyond our control. Any piece of baggage weighing more than 32 kg will either have to be repacked (in order to weigh 32 kg or less) or will have to be taken to the SAA Cargo counter and checked in as cargo. Cargo rates will apply.
Excess baggage rule – size
An excess baggage charge will apply for each piece of baggage that exceeds the maximum dimensions as stipulated in SAA’s baggage policy.
The maximum dimensions are Height + Length + Width = 158 cm (62 inches).
Excess baggage rule – number of pieces
An excess baggage charge will apply for each piece of baggage over and above a passenger’s baggage allowance. These additional pieces must still adhere to SAA’s weight and size restrictions. An additional excess baggage charge will apply for any additional piece of baggage that does not comply with these restrictions.
Click here to view the Excess Baggage Charges.
For detail on baggage allowances for each market under the new piece concept baggage policy please refer to the table below.
SAA’s new baggage policy for all tickets purchased on/after 23 April 2013.
| |
Business Class |
Economy Class |
| Domestic (Within South Africa) |
1piece at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) |
1 piece at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) |
| Worldwide – USA / Canada |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) each |
2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) each
|
| Between Africa and Europe / UK / New Zealand |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) each |
1 piece at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) |
| From Blantyre / Lilongwe to London |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) each |
2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) each
|
| Between Africa and Asia / Japan |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) each |
2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) each
|
| Between Africa and Australia |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) each |
2 piece at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb)
|
Between Africa and Africa: except Libreville / Douala and Lagos
|
2 pieces at a maximum of 32kg (70lb) each
|
2 pieces at a maximum of 23kg (50lb) each |
| Between Africa and Libreville / Douala |
1 piece at a maximum of 32kg (70lb) |
1 piece at a maximum of 23kg (50lb) |
| Between Africa and Lagos |
3 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) each |
3 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50lb) each
|
| Between South America and Australia / New Zealand |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) each |
2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) each
|
| Between South America, and Africa / Asia / Japan except : Brazil and Argentina |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) each |
2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) each
|
| Between Argentina - Africa |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) each |
2 pieces at a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) each
|
| Between Argentina - Asia / Japan |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) each |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) each
|
| Between Brazil - Africa / Asia / Japan |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) each |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) each
|
| Between Brazil - Europe & USA |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) each |
2 pieces at a maximum of 32 kg (70 lb) each
|