South African Airways has updated its additional baggage fees. The change took effect from 15 September.
If you’re flying SAA soon with more bags than your allowance covers, here’s exactly what to budget.
If you’re flying SAA soon with more bags than your allowance covers, here’s exactly what to budget.
*Domestic flights within South Africa*
These are the simplest rates to plan around. They apply to both Economy and Business Class.
Book more than 24 hours before departure, and your first extra bag costs R450. A second costs R470. A third costs R500.
Leave it later than 24 hours before departure, and prices rise. First bag jumps to R500, second to R520, third to R550.
That’s a useful reason to sort extra baggage early. Booking ahead can save you R50 to R100 per bag.
These are the simplest rates to plan around. They apply to both Economy and Business Class.
Book more than 24 hours before departure, and your first extra bag costs R450. A second costs R470. A third costs R500.
Leave it later than 24 hours before departure, and prices rise. First bag jumps to R500, second to R520, third to R550.
That’s a useful reason to sort extra baggage early. Booking ahead can save you R50 to R100 per bag.
*Regional flights from South Africa*
Regional routes cost more, and pricing shifts by season. Two windows apply: 16 January to 30 November, and the pricier peak window from 1 December to 15 January.
For flights to Harare, Mauritius, Lusaka, Victoria Falls, Windhoek or Gaborone, Economy passengers pay from USD60 per extra bag in the standard season. That’s roughly R1,080 at current exchange rates.
Business Class passengers on the same routes pay from USD90, around R1,620.
Rates climb further during the December peak period. The same Economy route jumps to USD70 minimum, Business Class to USD100.
Regional routes cost more, and pricing shifts by season. Two windows apply: 16 January to 30 November, and the pricier peak window from 1 December to 15 January.
For flights to Harare, Mauritius, Lusaka, Victoria Falls, Windhoek or Gaborone, Economy passengers pay from USD60 per extra bag in the standard season. That’s roughly R1,080 at current exchange rates.
Business Class passengers on the same routes pay from USD90, around R1,620.
Rates climb further during the December peak period. The same Economy route jumps to USD70 minimum, Business Class to USD100.
*Further afield: Lagos, Accra, and beyond*
Longer regional routes cost noticeably more. Extra bags to Lagos start from USD120 in Economy, rising to USD150 in Business Class.
Routes to Accra and Abidjan sit even higher, from USD130 in Economy.
If you’re travelling all the way to Brazil via Johannesburg, budget from USD100 for a first extra bag in Economy, or USD150 in Business Class.
Longer regional routes cost noticeably more. Extra bags to Lagos start from USD120 in Economy, rising to USD150 in Business Class.
Routes to Accra and Abidjan sit even higher, from USD130 in Economy.
If you’re travelling all the way to Brazil via Johannesburg, budget from USD100 for a first extra bag in Economy, or USD150 in Business Class.
*Why this matters for South African travellers*
Extra baggage costs add up fast, especially on multi-bag family trips or longer regional visits. Knowing the numbers ahead of time means fewer surprises at check-in.
The clearest takeaway across every route: booking your extra baggage in advance is consistently cheaper than paying at the airport. That gap is easily R50 to R100 per bag on domestic flights, and considerably more on international routes.
If you’re flying to Victoria Falls, Windhoek, or another regional favourite, it’s also worth checking whether your travel dates fall inside SAA’s pricier December-to-mid-January window. Shifting travel by even a few weeks can meaningfully cut your baggage costs.
Extra baggage costs add up fast, especially on multi-bag family trips or longer regional visits. Knowing the numbers ahead of time means fewer surprises at check-in.
The clearest takeaway across every route: booking your extra baggage in advance is consistently cheaper than paying at the airport. That gap is easily R50 to R100 per bag on domestic flights, and considerably more on international routes.
If you’re flying to Victoria Falls, Windhoek, or another regional favourite, it’s also worth checking whether your travel dates fall inside SAA’s pricier December-to-mid-January window. Shifting travel by even a few weeks can meaningfully cut your baggage costs.
*The practical takeaway*
Before you fly SAA, check your ticket’s included baggage allowance first. Only bags beyond that allowance attract these charges.
If you know you’ll need extra bags, purchase them online during booking or through booking management, ideally more than 24 hours before departure. It’s the simplest way to avoid paying the higher last-minute rate.
Before you fly SAA, check your ticket’s included baggage allowance first. Only bags beyond that allowance attract these charges.
If you know you’ll need extra bags, purchase them online during booking or through booking management, ideally more than 24 hours before departure. It’s the simplest way to avoid paying the higher last-minute rate.