Safair vs South African Airways
Side-by-side comparison of Safair and South African Airways: cabin and checked baggage allowances, fees, online check-in deadlines, alliances, hubs and contacts.
South Africa
| Safair | South African Airways | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | South Africa | South Africa |
| Founded | 1969 | 1934 |
| Type | Low-cost carrier | Full-service airline |
| Alliance | - | Star Alliance |
| Main hubs | O. R. Tambo International Airport | O. R. Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport |
| Aircraft types | 1 | 6 |
| Cabin bag weight | - | 8 kg (18 lb) |
| Cabin bag size | - | 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in) |
| Checked bag (Economy) | - | 1 piece · 20 kg (44 lb) |
| Extra bag fee | - | from 65 USD |
| Online check-in opens | 24 h | 24 h |
| Online check-in closes | - | 1 h 30 min |
| Airport check-in fee | free | free |
| Customer service phone | +27 (11) 928 0000 | +27 11 978 1111 |
Key differences
- Safair is a low-cost carrier: expect a cheaper base fare with bags, seats and airport check-in sold separately, while South African Airways bundles more into the ticket.
- South African Airways is a Star Alliance member, so miles and status benefits carry over to partner airlines.
Other comparisons
Allowances shown are for the basic Economy fare on most routes. Fees are the lowest published prices and change often - confirm on the official websites before booking.