What is South African Airways Baggage Allowance?
Information confirmed up-to-date from official airline website.
Find out how much baggage is allowed on South African Airways in Economy, Business & First Class — including carry-on size, checked baggage weight, and personal item rules. We regularly verify our data against official airline sources.
8 kg (17.6 lbs)
Carry-on Weight
56x36x23 cm
22.0 × 14.1 × 9.0 in
Carry-on Size
23 kg (50.7 lbs)
Checked Weight
How much baggage is allowed on South African Airways?
South African Airways allows 8 kg of carry-on (hand) baggage in Economy Class with maximum dimensions of 56x36x23 cm.[1] For checked baggage, Economy passengers can bring 23 kg per piece.[2]
17.6 lbs · 22.0 × 14.1 × 9.0 in · 50.7 lbs
South African Airways Economy Class — At a Glance
🧳 Carry-on Baggage (Hand Baggage)
- Weight: 8 kg (17.6 lbs)
- Dimensions: 56x36x23 cm (22.0 × 14.1 × 9.0 in)
📦 Checked Baggage
- Weight: 23 kg (50.7 lbs)
- Pieces: 1
- Dimensions: 158 cm (L+W+H) (62 in)
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South African Airways Baggage Allowance by Class [3]
🧳 Carry-on Baggage (Hand Baggage)
| Pieces | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| — | 56x36x23 cm 22.0 × 14.1 × 9.0 in |
8 kg 17.6 lbs |
📦 Checked Baggage
| Pieces | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 158 cm (L+W+H) 62 in |
23 kg 50.7 lbs |
🧳 Carry-on Baggage (Hand Baggage)
| Pieces | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 56x36x23 cm 22.0 × 14.1 × 9.0 in |
8 kg 17.6 lbs |
📦 Checked Baggage
| Pieces | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 158 cm (L+W+H) 62 in |
32 kg 70.5 lbs |
🧳 Carry-on Baggage (Hand Baggage)
| Pieces | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Not available | Not available | Not available |
📦 Checked Baggage
| Pieces | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Not available | Not available | Not available |
South African Airways Special Policies [4]
🍼 Baby / Infant
- Infant Baggage: 1 piece checked up to 23kg plus 1 collapsible pram or buggy and car seat, free of charge.
- Infant Fare: Infants paying 50% of the adult fare get the same checked baggage allowance as the adult fare class.
- Cabin Service: Milk and food carried onboard for your child can be warmed by cabin crew.
- First Class: 2 pieces with a combined weight of 40kg.
- Business Class: 2 pieces with.
♿ Mobility Aids
- Mobility Aids: One mobility aid (e.g., wheelchair, cane, crutches) free of charge per traveler, in addition to standard baggage allowance, must be small enough to stow without obstruction.
- Onboard Wheelchair: Some aircraft have an onboard wheelchair; identify needs at check-in upon arrival.
- Assistance: We will provide support after you identify your needs at check-in.
⚽ Sports Equipment
- Sports equipment: The standard additional baggage charge applies to sporting equipment; items larger than 200 cm, canoes, windsurfers, hang-gliders, and kayaks are accepted strictly as cargo with relevant Cargo rates.
- Baggage Assessment: SAA assesses baggage by number of pieces rather than weight, though weight restrictions apply.
- Checked Bags: Please ensure your checked bags meet the applicable requirements.
🎻 Musical Instruments
- Musical instruments: SAA is unfortunately unable to provide our musicians with a special free baggage allowance for the carriage of musical instruments. Musical instruments must be handled as normal checked-in or hand baggage or be transported on a paid-for seat in the passenger cabin. Checked Baggage. 9.7.2. Objects not suitable for carriage in the cargo compartment (such as delicate musical instruments).
🐕 Pets
- Service Dogs: One dog for blind or deaf passenger is free.
- USA Support Animals: to/from the USA Passengers dependant on a service, psychiatric or emotional support animal permitted.
- Pets in Cabin: No pets permitted in Cabin. Pets are not permitted in the cabin, with the exception of service dogs.
- Excess Baggage: Accompanied pets and container shall not be included in the free baggage allowance and normal excess baggage rates apply.
🧴 Liquids Policy
- Liquids/Dangerous goods: Items with lithium batteries are not permitted in checked baggage due to overheating, smoke, or fire risk.
- Bluetooth Speakers: Small Bluetooth speakers with a battery capacity of 100Wh or less are permitted in cabin baggage only.
- Website: FlySAA.com is the official website of South African Airways, Africa's leading airline, for booking flights.
🔋 Batteries / Powerbanks
- Power banks/lithium batteries: carry-on only. E-cigarettes: carry-on only. See official source for details.
💰 Overweight Fees
- You’re welcome to bring as much baggage as you need, up to a total of 3 pieces per person.
- - **Size limit: ** Each bag must not exceed 158 cm in total dimensions (length + width + height). If a bag is larger than 158 cm but still no more than 203 cm, it’s allowed but will incur an excess baggage charge.
- - **Weight limit (Economy Class): ** Each bag must not exceed 23 kg. If a bag weighs more than 23 kg but no more than 32 kg, it’s allowed but will incur an excess baggage charge.
- If a bag violates both the size and weight limits, multiple excess baggage charges will apply.
📦 Extra Piece Fees
- Baggage Allowance: You can bring up to 3 pieces of baggage in total.
- Excess Size: Applies to any bag larger than 158cm (length + width + height) but no bigger than 203cm.
- Excess Weight: Applies to any bag weighing more than 23kg (Economy Class) but no more than 32kg.
- Fee Structure: If your bag exceeds these limits, you will be charged multiple excess baggage fees.
Notes
Standard: Economy 1x23kg, Business 2x32kg, dimensions 158cm. Exceptions: Within Africa Economy 2x23kg; Brazil-Australia via Africa has its own rules. Voyager status brings extra baggage (e.g., Platinum +2x32kg). No cabin information. Baggage over 32kg only as cargo. Excess baggage fees not listed.
South African Airways — Quick Links
Official Domain
flysaa.com
Sources
All information is researched from the official airline websites linked below — we do not guarantee accuracy and are not responsible for external content.
- Checked baggage: https://www.flysaa.com/manage-fly/baggage/checked-baggage — Last verified on 2026-08-16
- Support & contact: https://voyager.flysaa.com/customer-support/contact-us — Last verified on 2026-08-16
- Online check-in: https://www.flysaa.com/manage-fly/manage/check-in — Last verified on 2026-08-16
- Lost baggage: https://www.flysaa.com/manage-fly/baggage/delayed-and-damaged — Last verified on 2026-08-16
- Accessibility: https://www.flysaa.com/manage-fly/before-flying/special-assistance/travelling-with-a-disability — Last verified on 2026-08-16