Checked Baggage
Standard Free Baggage Allowance
As a guide we have provided our standard checked baggage allowances, although there are exceptions based upon certain routes and ticket class. We therefore advise you to also check our baggage allowance exceptions below and, above all, take note of the baggage allowance attached to your booking on flysaa.com
SAA assesses baggage by number of pieces rather than their weight, although weight restrictions do apply.
| Standard free baggage allowance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Class of Travel | Weight per Piece | |
| Business Class | 2 pieces not exceeding 32kg or (70lb) per piece | |
| Economy Class | 1 piece not exceeding 23kg or (50lb) per piece | |
Checked baggage dimensions
Please make sure your checked bags are within the dimensions outlined in the diagram. Bags greater than the dimensions provided are too large for airport conveyor belts and will not be accepted on the flight.
If you are travelling with sporting equipment or fragile items please refer to our special baggage dimension policy.
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Our standard free baggage policy may differ by route and class of travel. A list of these exceptions are outlined below.
Exceptions to free baggage allowance Business Class Economy Class Domestic travel only (within South Africa) 2 pieces not exceeding 32kg per piece (70lb) & maximum dimensions of 158cm (62inches) 1 piece at 23kg (50lb) & maximum dimension of 158cm(62inches) per piece Within Africa only
2 pieces up to 32kg per piece (70lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece 2 pieces up to 23kg per piece (50lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece Student Fares
Between South Africa and Harare, Lusaka, Windhoek, Mauritius
3 pieces up to 32kg per piece (70lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece 3 pieces up to 23kg per piece (50lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece Between South Africa and Windhoek
Travel period: from 06 June 2024 to 31 October 2024
3 pieces up to 32kg per piece (70lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece 3 pieces up to 23kg per piece (50lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece Between Brazil and Africa 2 pieces up to 32kg per piece (70lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece 2 pieces up to 32kg per piece (70lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece Between Australia and Africa 2 pieces up to 32kg per piece (70lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece 2 pieces up to 23kg per piece (50lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece Between Brazil and Australia via Africa 2 pieces up to 32kg per piece (70lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece 2 pieces up to 32kg per piece (70lb) and maximum dimensions of 158cm (62 inches) per piece Between Africa and Middle East
When SA is the marketing carrier on EK operating flights between Johannesburg and Dubai
The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply Between South Africa and Ethiopia
When SA is the marketing carrier on ET operating flights between Johannesburg/Cape Town/Durban and Addis Ababa
The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply Between South Africa and Seychelles The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply The baggage allowance of the operating carrier will apply -
If you are a Voyager frequent flyer member, you can enjoy an increased baggage allowance, subject to your tier status.
SAA Voyager Tier Additional Baggage Allowance as part of the free allowance SAA Voyager Blue card holders No additional baggage allowance SAA Voyager Silver Card holder 1 extra piece of 23kg, irrespective of class of travel SAA Voyager Gold Card 1 extra piece based on the allowance of the booked cabin class SAA Voyager Platinum 1 extra piece of 32kg, irrespective of class of travel SAA Voyager Lifetime Platinum 2 extra pieces of 32kg per piece, irrespective of class of travel SAA Voyager Platinum, Platinum Elect & Lifetime Platinum & SAA Gold, Gold Elect Member & Star Alliance Gold Member on SAA operated flights plus any Star Alliance – operated flights 1 extra piece based on the allowance of the respective class (weight or piece) Ecobank Voyager Platinum & Gold Credit Card Holders 1 Additional piece of luggage when travelling on SAA Operated flights. 32Kg Business Class and 23Kg Economy Class Unico Voyager Gold and Silver Credit Card Holders 1 Additional piece of luggage when travelling on SAA Operated flights. 32Kg Business Class and 23Kg Economy Class Star Alliance Round-the-World travellers
- First Class: 2 pieces with a combined weight of 40kg
- Business Class: 2 pieces with a combined weight of 30kg
- Economy Class: 1 piece with a combined weight of 20kg
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Children and infants paying at least 50% of the adult fare are entitled to the same baggage allowance as adults.
Infants who do not have their own seat are allowed 1 piece of baggage weighing up to 23kg & one collapsible pram or buggy and a car seat, free of charge.
For further information, please visit our ‘Travelling with infants’ page.
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Valuable items:
You must not include in checked baggage, fragile or perishable items or valuable items, such as artwork, money, jewellery, precious metals, computers, personal electronic devices, cellular telephones, cameras and camera equipment, audio and video equipment, negotiable papers, securities or other valuables, business documents, passports and other identification documents or samples as these items should be placed in hand baggage.
Dangerous items:
There are a number of items, some of them not so obvious, which could pose a risk if taken onboard. Find out which items are classified as dangerous goods, what is permitted and what you need to declare at the airport.
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SAA welcomes you to bring as much baggage as you need, up to a total of 3 pieces per passenger. However, please bear in mind, once you exceed your carry-on and checked-in free baggage allowance, excess baggage charges will apply.
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Same day connections are not treated as stopovers, so a uniform baggage allowance applies across all flights. However after a stopover, the legs of the flight that follow may be subject to different baggage allowances.
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If a bag weighs more than 32kg it must be checked-in as cargo and you’ll be charged the applicable SAA Cargo rate.
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For further information, please visit our Special Baggage page.
